Real Stories - June/July 2017

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My wife had always worked outside the home. Her public relations career was important to her. About seven years ago she joined another firm as a senior manager. It was a significant position in a very well known local firm. Soon after joining, one of my wife's co-workers asked her to have lunch with him. His name was Darnell, he was several years younger, African-American, and, although he knew she was married, obviously very attracted to her. Over the next several weeks, they continued too have lunch together. Then one night, after dinner and after the children were in bed, my wife took me into her at-home office for a talk. She told me she and Darnell had gone to lunch that afternoon and Darnell had asked her to have dinner with him Saturday night, and she said yes. My wife had more and more often spoken of Darnell and I knew she was growing attracted to him so I was not shocked by her revelation. As I always tried to do, I told her I would support her decision. Of course, in private, I was concerned. I thought my wife was falling out of love with me. But before I could panic or needlessly worry, I realized nothing could be further from the truth.