Julia

                                                                          “Julia”


    “Aren't you ready yet, honey?”
    “I will be ready soon. I can’t decide what dress to wear,” she replied hastily from her closet.
    “Why don’t you wear that black dress I bought you for your birthday? Oh, and there's that dark blue dress I bought you, too, remember? You wore the black one last time, so wear the blue one tonight.
    “I'll think about it,” she replied, half-looking at him as she passed by.
    His face held impatience and his voice condescending. “There's nothing to think about," he replied, looking at his watch. " We both agreed those dresses would be perfect for entertaining our guests.”
    Julia turned away, looking at him in the mirror. It’s what you decided, not me.
    She had succeeded in making everything perfect for him. The house was meticulous; including the flower arrangements and her delicious prime rib. She knew what was expected of a CEO's wife. She had mastered her these skills over the years.  Her duties were to wine and dine Jeff’s business colleagues including their spouses.  Entertaining the wives with children was the most difficult for her. Regretfully, she would never be in their position.
        Jeff mumbled something about being late.  He went into her closet and returned with the blue dress.
    “This is perfect and it brings out your blue eyes.” Wearing the self-satisfied look that she had grown to hate in the past few weeks, he held it out to her. “Oh, and wear that sapphire and pearl necklace I just bought you. My colleagues won't be able to keep their eyes off you tonight." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and left the room.
    Julia yelled after him, “Please send Maria up here for a few, okay?” He never answered her and she was used to it. Most of the time, during the few conversations with him, he remained silent. He always said he “heard her,” when she asked, but she knew differently.
    Jeff had employed Maria to help her with her dinners and help serve the guests.  It was one of the few things for which she held no resentment.
    Maria wasn’t just her employee, for she had become very close to her, especially when they engaged in their girl talk. Maria and her children were the only family that Julia would ever know. The children loved her, calling her " Auntie J".
    Maria appeared and gave Julia her approving smile. After zipping up her dress, Julia turned and Maria cupped her hands.  “Bonita!”
    “Thank you, Maria. Is everything ready for our guests?”
    “Oh, yes! Come down stairs, yes? Mr. Jeff will be waiting,” she whispered as she hurried out.
    Julia looked back at her reflection.  She freed a few wisps of blond hair from her french knot. She should have felt beautiful but she didn't.  Maybe tomorrow, I’ll go try on that green silk dress I saw the other day. If I like it, I’m going to wear it at the next dinner, whether Jeff likes it or not!” She surprised herself, having made this small decision, but it was a start.

****

    The evening went well, along with the usual chatter. It was always the same scene and Julia was bored.  While her husband was talking business, she had to converse with the wives. They bragged about their lives, their children.  Throughout the dinner, Jeff would glance her way and give his approval.  At one point, he caught her glaring at him and made a feeble attempt to include her.
    “Did I ever tell you that I have the most beautiful wife that any man could ever want? I’m so proud of her.”
    Proud of what? That I gave up my studies to get your sorry ass through law school? The women guests at the table might as well have been mannequins at Macy’s.  She gave her husband a “you're an ass hole look” and he soon realized he hadn’t made any points with anyone, especially the wives.
    Jeff, clearing his throat, tried to redeem himself. “Because of our beautiful wives, gentlemen, we can all admit that without them, we would be nothing.”

      The impact of his words hit her like lightning. Because of you, I am nothing. She shivered with the realization and impact of his words. She felt sick and excused herself from the table.
    Maria was getting the deserts ready and observed Julia pouring herself a glass of wine.
    “You look very unhappy tonight, Senorita.”
    “These dinners are becoming a real chore,” she quipped, gulping down her wine.
    “I always tell you, Missy that you are so very lucky."
    “I know, Maria. I have a beautiful home and a husband. Isn't that what you were going to say?”
    “Si.  It is so hard to raise a family alone.”
    “I don’t have a family, except you,” Julia reminded her.
    “You have a successful husband that you love, yes?”
    “No. I don’t love him. Not anymore.” It just came out and Julia couldn't believe she had actually said it aloud.  “I realize now how foolish I have been.” Julia set her glass down. “He never loved me.”
      Maria stood dumbfounded. She saw the pain in Julia's eyes. She was never so emphatic about her feelings and weakly asked, “Shall I bring in the desserts?” 
    “As soon as possible.”
    She gave a reassuring pat on Julia’s shoulder, telling her the evening would end soon.
    “Oh, it will end. I will make certain of it.”

****

      Jeff was telling his guests of his early years when he first started out with his law practice. He noticed Julia wasn’t at all interested. He brought her to attention with, “Remember, honey. How I put in all those long hours? Remember—
    “Oh, yes,” she interrupted him, "and I remember all of those cold dinners, waiting and eating alone.”
    Jeff stopped short and glared at her. He tried to continue but she wouldn’t let him.
    “I remember too, how you planned everything. I had to quit art school and work to put you through law school.  You decorated your house, chose my car and my clothes. You do everything for me, don't you dear?” She looked straight at him and smiled.
    “How lucky am I? Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen. I am so lucky that I don’t even have to think!” Her laughter became uncontrollable as she watched her red-faced husband squirm.
    The guests sat silent, their heads bowed, sneaking looks from Julia to Jeff, who kept a fixed stare on his wife. She took him by surprise; his embarrassment had left him speechless. 
    He looks so ridiculous.  She laughed louder and after regaining her composure, she grew serious.
    Julia looked at her guests. “I'm sorry everyone. I didn't mean to embarrass any of you. It's just that in this household, I get to see my husband so rarely. I'm sure some of you ladies have been there.  Dinners with colleagues and friends is the perfect time to make announcements and I have one to make tonight.”
    Ignoring Jeff's futile attempt to interrupt her,  she looked at her husband and announced,  “I want a divorce.”
   
                                                                      The End
   
Janice Weinberger
March 2011