The following morning, Theresa braced herself for the inevitable task of calling her husband, Dale. Although Dale was diligent in his work, he had a tendency to indulge in alcohol. While he was a reliable provider financially, his emotional support fell short. Despite longing for a more supportive partner after a decade of marriage, she harbored realistic doubts about his ability to provide that.
Throughout the day, she attempted to reach him without success. It wasn't until around 10:00 p.m. that he eventually returned her call. His slurred speech left no doubt that he had been drinking. She recounted her doctor's visits and the findings to him.
Dale's immediate reaction was defensive. "What about the kids?" he interjected. "I can't just abandon my job. Who will manage the expenses?"
Theresa reassured him that she had already arranged for her sister to care for the children.
His response was curt: "Well, good. Keep me informed about how things unfold."
It wasn't the empathetic response she had hoped for, but it was the predictable one.