Joan and Bill--The Story of a Relationship

Joan was bleary eyed; teary eyed. She sat pressed into the corner of the sofa, one foot nervously tapping the new cherry wood floor in her Palm Beach mansion. One hand picked at the other. The silence in the room was palpable. As a tear slid down her flushed cheek, she looked up at her husband in the chair across from her. Just home from work, he was still in his gray silk three-piece suit.

"I want a divorce," she said quietly.

"What? Why?" Bill was not as surprised as Joan thought he would be.

"Our marriage is over. We've lost the love we used to have. I feel it, and I know you do too."

Bill stared at Joan's shaking hands. "You're wrong. Baby, I still love you. You're my world. Everything I do, I do for you. You know that."

"Bill, we just go through the motions. You say you love me out of habit. Our love-making is routine; like your hair cuts. There's hardly any time for me, for us, because you're gone so often. It would be better if we made a clean break and moved on with our lives. You're very successful and will easily find someone to love you."

Bill jumped up. "You're wrong," he blasted. "My career is for you and because of you. I'd be nothing without you."

"Bill, that's not true." Joan felt a little braver now; a little more confident. He seemed to be taking this better than she'd ever dreamed. "You were successful when we met. You've gotten where you are through hard work and intelligence. You'll go even further without me holding you back."

As CEO of the largest diamond importer in the U.S., Bill was at the top of his game. She could have anything she wanted.

"Is there someone else?" He didn't look at Joan for fear of seeing the lie in her eyes.

"No, Bill, there's no one else."

"But, Joan . . . ."

"No, Bill. Please listen to me. It's important that I know you understand." Joan had spent months and months going over and over what to say and how to say it. She hated confrontations, but she knew there wouldn't be a second chance.

He waited about twelve heart beats, shuffled his feet then walked around the chair. He looked like he had more to say, but he just stared into her beautiful green eyes. Eyes he fell into every time he looked at her.

"Joan, are you sure we can't fix things; start again? I'll try anything. Please say we can start over." Bill's tone had quieted, and he seemed close to tears. "We can go anywhere you want; have a second honeymoon."

Joan felt bad. He was such a great guy; dependable, smart, good looking, well liked by everyone and filthy rich. He was everything most women dreamed about in a husband, but she knew there was no turning back.

"Bill, I'm sorry, but I've fallen out of love with you. It's no fault of yours. It just happened. I wish it didn't have to be this way." Joan gripped the hem of her skirt. She knew those words had to hurt.

"Love is more than just having the biggest hat at the Kentucky Derby and closets full of Christian Dior and Bob Mackie and shoes by Jimmy Choo. There's got to be more to life than dinner parties and charity balls and vacationing around the world. I need to be more than just a trophy wife, Bill. You're a wonderful man, and I did love you, but it's gone, Babe." Quiet tears slid down her cheeks.

"You're absolutely sure? There's nothing I can say or do to change your mind?" Bill loved Joan dearly and would fight for her, but he wouldn't beg.

Joan looked down at her feet than up at Bill: "Yes. I'm so sorry."

Bill walked over, pulled Joan up into his arms and kissed her lovingly and thoroughly. He smoothly pulled out his 9 mil and shot her through the heart. Before she even hit the floor, he put the gun barrel in his mouth and pulled the trigger.