“Stuck to Me Like a Bloody Leech”
“Listen, why are you nagging me? Im working, alright?! Im doing this for the family, in case youve forgotten. What kind of stupid question is that? Where else would I be except at work? You just sit around, useless, living off my back while everythings handed to you!”
Lara had married Oliver three years ago. Hed pursued her relentlessly, doing everything to win her overonce even climbing a tree in front of all their mates to declare hed do anything for her. The memory made her sick now. She never imagined that just eighteen months after the wedding, everything would change so drastically. Oliver had stopped seeing her as a womanjust a housekeeper, a cook, a laundry maid, an advisor, a shoulder to cry on. But not his wife. Not the woman hed once loved. He barely looked at her, stopped buying little trinkets, didnt even wish her happy birthday. When she tried to talk to him, hed just shut down, muttering, “Everythings fine.”
After their son was born, it got worse. While Lara was still in hospital, Oliver moved her things into the nursery. When she stared at him, bewildered, he just shrugged.
“Whats the problem? Youre the motheryou should be near the baby. Im the only one working in this house; I need proper rest. Its simple, Lara. The baby doesnt sleep through the night. Am I supposed to get up for work with a pounding headache? This is how its going to be.”
Lately, Lara couldnt shake the feeling she was no longer the only woman in his life. Oliver had always worked late, coming home after midnight, but now there was an edge to itwhen she dared ask questions, he snapped.
“Listen, why are you nagging me? Im working, alright?! Im doing this for the family, in case youve forgotten. What kind of stupid question is that? Where else would I be except at work? You just sit around, useless, living off my back while everythings handed to you!”
Shed flush with guilt. Maybe she was overreacting. He was working overtimegood money, probablyfor them. The thought of another woman hadnt crossed her mind until recently.
Lara woke to the slam of the front doorOliver had already left. No “good morning,” nothing. Months had passed since theyd shared breakfast, let alone a bed. Since their sons birth, shed been banished to the nursery. Their marriage, once solid, was crumbling like a house of cards.
She sank back against the pillow, then grabbed her phone and dialled. It rang forever before his irritated voice cut in.
“What do you want? Im busy!”
Her throat tightened. “Hi. I just wanted to wish you a good day. You left so early, and”
Oliver cut her off. “You called me for *that*? Ive got a meeting, Lara. No time for this sentimental rubbish. Christ, youre like a bloody leech. Give it a rest!”
The line went dead. Lara swallowed the lump in her throat and slipped out of bed. Her son would wake soonshe had to pull herself together before then. And figure out how to keep living like this.
In the bathroom mirror, her reflection stared backpuffy-eyed, hair a mess, no trace of the glow shed once had.
*Look at you. What kind of woman are you now? A stressed-out mum, thats what. A bloody leech.* The thought stung, and fresh tears spilled over.
After splashing water on her face, she crept into the master bedroom for clean sheets. Something on the shelf caught her eyeor rather, the absence of something. It took her a moment to realise what was missing.
The box. The one shed bought for their anniversaryprotection, just in case. Shed planned a romantic evening, hoping Oliver might finally *see* her again.
“Did he move it?” she muttered. “Why bother?”
Two hours later, with her son fed and napping, she tried calling Oliver again. His words*youre like a leech*wouldnt leave her. She waited until his lunch break.
“Ollie, its me again. Im sorry, but”
“What now?” he snapped.
“We need to talk. Properly.”
“Get on with it then.”
“Not over the phone. Tonight, after work?”
“Tonight I want to lie on the sofa and watch telly, not listen to your whinging. Cant it wait?”
“But its important! You dont even *look* at me anymore. You dont care how I feel”
“Oh, here we go!” He exhaled sharply. “Fine. Lets do this. You look well, like any woman after giving birth. Bit heavier, bags under your eyes. Youll bounce back. As for feelingsyoure a *mother* now, Lara. Be grateful youve got a child when so many cant. Im irrelevant now. Focus on our son.”
“Thats not fair! Im still a person! I still need to feel loved”
“Right. Lets start with the obvious. Maybe change your hair? And that sack of a dress does nothing for you. You know I like you dressed nicely. And for Gods sake, start looking after yourself. You smell. You used to carenails done, makeup on. Now? Youre just grey.”
“Grey?! I dont have *time*, Oliver! Im with the baby all day! When was the last time you watched him for even an hour?”
“Not my job. I earn the money. Yours is the house and the kid. And yourself! Look in the mirror, Lara. You dont even cook properly anymoredid you salt the lunch today? Or is it another disaster? Ugh, youve ruined my mood. Dont call again. Well talk at home.”
She didnt bother him the rest of the day. Before he returned, she showered, dabbed on makeup, tried to tame her hair. Met him at the door with a smile, asking about his day. Instead of softening, Oliver scowled.
“Whats this circus? Dressed like a clown in that ridiculous frock! Your legs look awful in it. Change. Now.”
She slapped him. Hard. Then fled to the bathroom, scrubbing her face raw, hurling the dress in the bin. Oliver didnt reactjust turned on the telly, ignoring her tears. He skipped dinner.
Later, after putting their son to bed, Lara remembered the missing box. She needed an excuse to confront him, to drag the truth out.
She found him sprawled on the bed, eyes glued to the screen. “Oliver, wheres the box from the wardrobe?”
He didnt even glance at her. “What box?”
She inhaled slowly. Stay calm. Theyd already fought today.
“The one from the chemist. You knowprotection. I wanted to do something nice for our anniversary. Id even asked Mum to watch Alfie”
Oliver exploded. “Are you *insinuating* something? That I took them for someone else? Youre mental! How *dare* you!”
The row erupted. Shouting, accusationsuntil Oliver suddenly snarled, “Fine. Yes, I took them. And you know what? Im leaving. Shouldve done it ages ago, but I felt sorry for you. This is *your* fault, Lara. Christ, are you really this dense? Theres someone else.”
“How long?” Her voice was eerily steady.
“Months. Before Alfie was even born. You were unbearable when you got pregnantalways whining, wanting cuddles God, you *repulsed* me. Im only here for my son, got it?”
“What does she have that I dont?”
A cruel smirk. “One big advantage, Lara. She *cant* have kids.”
She turned and walked out. No tears, no painjust freedom. Oliver had set her loose. She sat on the nursery floor, brushing her fingertips over her sons pink cheek. Shed be alright. As for Oliver? He could rot.
He did the decent thingleft the flat to her and Alfie. Both families rallied around her. The divorce was quiet; Oliver paid child support without fuss. He rarely sees Alfie now. Maybe thats for the best. Lara doesnt care to see him either. Some words stick*leech, clown, grey*.
Some men just arent worth the heartache.
