He’s in his studio alot over the summer, I’m not sure if its actually working on new music or just hiding out. So one day I walk out to the studio to see if I can get a taste of the new album and instead I hear him bitching to Dave about how I’m destroying his house.
Dave answers back with, “Do you want a house or a home?”
“What?” Jon grumbles.
“She’s right, you built that house with your love at the time - DOT, she’s gone Jon, your wife has two signs that you loved that woman with all of your heart and soul; Steph and Jess. She doesn’t want to be the other woman in that home. Hell remember Lexi made us move from the house I shared with April. I don’t think she’s asking too much.”
“But everything we built is gone.” He complained.
At the point I make my presense known and I ask through tears. “Aren’t you supposed to be building a future with me? Or is your past with her more important?” I then turn and leave quickly.
“FUCK!”
“Not anytime soon.” Dave laughed.
“Damnit, she can stay mad I saw her not talk to a friend for like six months over saying something against me”
“Well Jonny looks like you have some groveling to do. Call me if you ever start getting some action again you’re an ass when you’re celibate when married.” Dave laughed and walked out to his car.
Jon gives Serena about an half and hour before he walked up to the temporary house and smiles softly. “Hey Serena.”
“Hey Jon.” I answer with little emotion in my voice.
“I’m sorry about what you heard me say out in the studio.”
“You’re sorry I heard it but are you sorry you said it?”
He looked down to the ground and then up at her. “No I’m not. It was my feelings, I have to be true to my feelings.” He sat down on the couch. “I had lots of wonderful memories in that house that are gone now. Like Presidents sitting at my desk or the kids taking their first steps.”
“Jon we are putting your office back together just the way it was but not where it was. How would you like to walk into a place and know it was a place built for me by my ex and he’s had sex with me and made promises to me on all surfaces and in all the rooms.”
“Well I wouldn’t, but she didn’t.”
“its just the concept Jon. This house we are in now is by far more my style than the mansion.
I don’t even like pulling into the driveway. Its not me at all but I backed down from moving or knocking it down because I know you love it. But what’s so wrong with trying to make it comfortable for your WIFE?”
“I have no problem with making it more comfortable for you but I’m sad about the loss of my history.”
“But aren’t we trying to make a future here, memories aren’t in the wall color Jon, they are in your heart. I think I can be considered an expert in this, after all, my memories of mom and my family are in my heart I sold that house.”
“I know babe I get what you’re saying its just hard.”
“I didn’t think it’d be an issue Jon, you brought up the remodel option.”
“Yeah I thought you’d add bookshelves or something. I didn’t anticipate you changing everything.”
“Why didn’t you say anything before the first sledgehammer smashed a wall.”
“You had a smile I want to keep it there. Happy wife, Happy life.”
“Well I hope you’ve heard some of my plans and realize I’m trying to make it better for both of us.”
“How so?” Jon asked.
“By moving the optional or twice a year if not less used rooms upstairs and our room and everything that we enjoy will be on the main floor of the house. I’m putting in a sauna so you don’t have to suffer through sinus season anymore, cos I know how the heat helps your sinuses. I’ve added a music room, there’s no reason you should have to go to the studio when you get an idea. I love your music it can play 24/7 in our house I wouldn’t mind.”
“OK I love that, great ideas.”
“I also am having the chest freezer that was in the basement moved to the larger pantry and added a large wine cooler and rack there. No more stairs for that either.”
He notices all the movement of things so no stairs were needed, “OK babe, my knees are bionic so I’m assuming its your knees that are bothering you.”
“Yes, I put the laundry room near our room and there’s one upstairs too so the maid doesn’t have to lug it all over if the kids are home.”
“Nice way to breeze by that. How bad do your knees hurt?”
“Left is the worst, normally 7/10 right one is 5/10.”
“What else hurts that you aren’t telling me about?”
“My back.”
“Pain level?” He asked appreciating that we can actually have a conversation like this. He knows its rare for many couples to be able to talk openly about health concerns or even fight about them if its needed.
“9/10 most days.”
“So lots of these changes are not only because of Dot but also practical.”
“Yes but they are also designed so I can believe this house is truly our home. If in theory its a one story home then I might grow to love it and you can still drive up to the mansion you made for her.”
He took my hands in his, “I”m really sorry I didn’t talk to you before I mouthed off.”
“I wish you would have because your grunts made all the plans be what I wanted not what we wanted.”
“Honey, you know my style. I trust you’ll make our house a home.”
I smile at him, “Is there something you want to keep?”
“Yeah the foyer, I like opening the double doors it makes a statement.”
“I was just going to update the paint color and get rid of things that seem really not us. Like that winged statue.”
“I’d like to keep that.”
“Why is it sentimental for some reason?”
“It is. Its the first expensive piece of art, I bought when I got rich, I got it in Italy for $10K I thought I was a millionare.”
“Ok, it stays then.” I kiss him softly.
“Its that easy?” He asked.
“Yes.”
“Am I still grounded?”
“Yep.” I tap him on the nose.
“God I suck, remind me to stop being an ass.”
“Oh I can remind you I just doubt it will matter. You’ll still do it.” I smile at him.
That's how you talk to each other and compromise. Plus, you get through real truths too.
ReplyDelete