Notelet XIV: Sticks and Stones Don't Damage

Amelia Lewis had said it all. Slippery like ice how could she take back the words she had spoken to her husband. She could see from his eyes that it had cut deep like wound in his soul. It wasn't her fault that he had been laid off and had sunk so low in his moods. She wasn't to blame for his disinterest in daily activities nor for sleeping so much. He needed to take it like a man and handle it. His family needed him. She needed him. She didn't want to take his place. She wanted to help and keep her place as a woman. "Now that Charles is acting up, I guess I have to be the man and the woman". Why wouldn't he open up to her? She was there to help. He was so far and yet so close. Many times the conversations went something like this, "Charles, am here for you. I can see you are hurting with all that's gone on. Please talk to me. I am here for you. I have your back". Each time Charles just stared at her with an empty look and nodded. Her patience was being tested to the brim. She had kept quiet for 9 months. Last night she couldn't keep quiet anymore. Charles had overlooked the Council Tax after three reminders. Now, the bailiffs, or to use their technical term, the enforcement agents, would be paying them a visit tomorrow.
"Charles, you good for nothing man". she barked. "I said yes to you all this while and where has it got me! Nowhere, nowhere". "Moping about the house like a sick puppy. When will you put yourself together and act like a man for once in this marriage". Amel knew the moment those words came out she could never retrieve them back. She saw the fire in her husband's eyes go out - suddenly. "What have I done?", she remarked to herself. Then Charles spoke for the first in 9 months, "Amelia, the wife of my youth. It is true that I have been out for the last few months. Sorry for letting you bear the burden of being the provider. It is also true that I have protected and provided for you in the past. 7 years to be exact. Through the good and bad I have shouldered everything. While you slept I thought. I thought deep for your well-being. I have never had to brag about the shelter I provide you. Howbeit that my wife whom I chose above all else would throw the last punch when I am down. Blowing out the last rays of light. You do the math - 7 years to 9 months." With that Charley babe as she fondly called him turned his back on the bedroom and started walking away. "By the way Amels, I still love you". Those 3 words shook and woke Amelia up. "Charles, am sorry for saying those mean, hurtful words. I didn't mean it. Please forgive me." "Woman you meant them alright", Charles retorted and walked away.
Amel couldn't let him just walk away. She felt if she let him go the chasm she'd created in their marriage would never be closed. "Charles, Charles", she tried to get his attention but Charles kept walking. Amel recollected like flashback Friday how all the females in her family treated the men. Where were they? She'd been lied to when she was told, "sticks and stones may break bones but words can never hurt." She had wounded her one true love who happened to love everything about her back.

You are quintessentially special,
Love Abba