The Plan

Sisters conspire to keep a husband in the wife's grip just a little longer.

"Sis, that man drives me insane. I really can't even stand the sight of him."
"What did he do this time?"
"Nothing, really. He just..I don't know. But I do know he's ready to leave. We talked about our relationship...you know..he's always talking about it..but I can't let him leave. I need his money."
"Sis, I need him." She chuckled under her breath. "He's the only man left in the family. You can't let him leave."
"Yeah, but I think he's finally caught on to me. He's kind of called me out on making promises that I'll work on us and try to be more affectionate and of course, I don't want to be. He said he's worthy of someone who wants to be with him."
Her sister giggled.
"Really? He's such a pushover. You know he's still madly in love with you, right?"
"I know..and that's how I control him. I give him a little hope to hold him over until he shuts up about it."
"Then just keep doing that."
"He's really serious this time, though. He's really manned up and put his foot down. He's ready to file for divorce."
"Well, we can't have that, now can we?"
"Any ideas?"
"Actually...yes."
"Do tell."
"How about an anniversary trip? It's coming up."
"Ugh...the last thing I want is a romantic trip with him."
"What if it's a family trip?"
"A family anniversary trip? He'll never go for that."
"Oh, please, he's a doormat. We'll tell him that we've planned a family trip to celebrate your anniversary but we've saved some special time for the two of you to spend time together. He'll love it. I mean he loves hanging out with the kids, right?"
"I mean, if it's planned, he won't say no. He loves to travel."
"So you say he's on to you...how do we change it?"
"He keeps saying that I blame him and say he is the reason I don't want to be with him or make love to him or whatever. So...what if I flip the script?"
"Like, say it's your fault?
"Yeah, I can say I've been wrong and he's the best husband ever and just fall on my sword."
"Oh, sister, that's genius. He'll totally fall for that. Really lay it on thick."
"Right? I'll tell him he's done everything he's supposed to do and I've um....sabotaged things."
"Oooh..that's a great word. And then really love bomb him. Hugs, kisses, even you know..."
"Gross...but yeah, I'll do what I have to do. Just enough to make him think I've really changed this time. Really make him think I've done soul searching and realized that I created the distance and was just afraid to give myself to him fully."
"Right...he so desperately wants you to love him. He'll surely stop trying to leave if you finally tell him you were wrong."
"You know, it's really sad...any other man would have left a long time ago."
"You're right. They would have."

Awkward silence as both sisters know they are very wrong.

"But...you've got to keep your lifestyle up. I mean, we both know that. My kids need him. We cannot lose our cash cow."
"Yeah, you're right. Okay, this is a plan. You and mom give him the good news about the trip and then I'll sort of blindside him with my confession."
"I think it'll work. But you know you'll have to keep it up for a while."
"I know...but it's worth it. I can't let go of the money and the house..I know I complain about him all the time but he does take care of everything. I really just complain to justify staying away from him."
"So, real talk here..why do you dislike him so much? He is actually a really good man. Um, and he's really handsome. You do see that right?"
"I mean, he's handsome. God, everyone constantly talks about how fine he is."
"So sis, really, you never just want to jump his bones?"
"No, but it sounds like you want to."
"Um no...but..I have to say I don't get it. Someone will, you know that right? He's kind and funny. He'll find someone."
"Honestly, I don't want any man. I have zero interest at all. But I cannot let him leave--I can't let him find someone else. I could lose even more if that happens. I mean, he's been wonderful to me, so other than the little things, I can't really say anything bad about him. But he wants love and affection and I don't want to do it. But I have to keep his supply. I need what he gives me. He's gotten a lot stronger lately...somehow he's really seemed to begin saying he deserves to be loved an to love....and I have to do this or I lose this comfortable life..and my status in the church...everything."
"I mean, it's just too bad you don't have any feelings for him, but...I guess we have a plan then?"
"Yes. Gotta do what I gotta do, you know?"
"Right. I'll talk to mom and we'll plan it for that weekend."
"That's perfect I'll keep him on the string just a little while longer."
"It's really a shame he loves you as much as he does...and that this works every time."