out of reach

Six months ago, Susan told me the factory was struggling, that our monthly rations for food and meat were getting slashed. I believed her. Then I saw her, right after payday, slipping most of her coupons to her best friend’s widower and his kid. I blew up, but she just said coldly, "You caused him to lose his job with your outburst. You need to do some soul-searching." And then, to add insult to injury, she got him hired at the factory, in my spot.

Now, I bust my ass day and night, running a sock stall. People ask why I work so hard. "Gotta see the world," I say with a shrug. Susan's head snaps up, her eyes meeting mine.

1.

“Hey, not at the factory today?”

“Oops, my bad! See ya!” The neighbors offered their faux-sympathetic greetings as they passed by my door. Ever since Susan, my wife, got me fired and replaced with Howard Chen, the whole neighborhood knew my business. Their pity was thinly veiled schadenfreude.

I set down my pickled bamboo shoots and slammed the door. Later that night, Susan came home and, as usual, placed a meager pile of food and meat coupons on the table.

2.

“They gave us half a pound of sugar too. Don't forget to put it away,” she said, her voice cool and distant. Her voice used to make my heart skip a beat. Now, looking at her beautiful profile, I felt nothing. Maybe it was just exhaustion.

I straightened my aching back and went to the kitchen to cook. Out of habit, she followed, taking off her coat and offering to help.

My hand froze on the wok. Who would have guessed that the steely office manager at the steel mill transformed into a doting wife the moment she stepped through the door? I thought I’d hit the jackpot marrying her.

Then I noticed the pale pink blouse she wore beneath her coat. It wasn’t one I’d bought her.

My hand trembled. I blinked back the stinging in my eyes, willing myself not to cry. The wok spatula clattered to the floor. I walked out of the kitchen. Susan glanced at me, picked up the spatula, and continued cooking.

3.

“I made this spicy, just how you like it,” Susan said, setting a full plate in front of me. She untied her apron, the picture of domestic bliss.

If I hadn't seen her giving most of her paycheck to another man, if she hadn’t used a flimsy excuse to get me fired and then give him my job, if she hadn't abandoned me with a fever to spend the night with him and his daughter… I would have believed this charade.

I took a deep breath. The job was gone. Her love was gone. So be it. I wouldn’t wallow in self-pity. I’d find a way to make things right. Susan used to be my whole world. Not anymore. From now on, I’d live for myself.

I scarfed down my food, eager to check our remaining supplies. With no job and Susan giving away our money, I needed to know where we stood. I couldn’t afford to starve.

After clearing the table, I headed to our room. I’d wait until Howard showed up, using his daughter as an excuse to drag Susan away. Then I’d check our finances.

But as soon as I entere...