Marriage must fight constantly against a monster which devours everything: routine.
― Honoré de Balzac
“Look! That couple from the hotel.”
I followed her gaze. We’d seen them almost daily since we’d been in France. We guessed they were perhaps on a second honeymoon.
“They don’t look happy,” I said.
“No, they don’t,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Should we go over?”
“Absolutely not. No way should we get in the middle of a domestic squabble.”
The man began to yell. He snatched the map from the woman and stormed around the corner. The woman stood there, perhaps crying.
“I’m going over,” my wife said.
“Honey, please. If she needs help, she can ask us.”
I’d leave them to it. Sometimes things look worse from the outside looking in. Good quote there too.
Dear J Hardly,
Some people can’t resist a good meddle, can they? I agree with Sandra about the quote, that’s a good one to mull over today.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Husband probably refused to ask for directions. :P You served us a nice slice of life.
I have a friend who likes to intervene (she knows who she is!). It makes me cringe but she seems to get away with it. I’m sure someone will slap her one day.
Good piece.
Been there, as an observer and, sadly, a participant. Great story.
Awww! She just wants to help.
Sometimes, it’s best to leave it be. Maybe it’s just a small fight, though it may look big. :)
Leo @ I Rhyme Without Reason
Why is it so hard to ask for directions?
Why did you end it where you did? (Sorry, texting from phone shortens my questions.)
That quote says it all before one started reading!
Oh, I hope their marriage doesn’t go the same way, nicely done.
Ah, affairs like this are such an awkward mixture of pity, embarrassment, compassion, mingling, taking sides, making things worse… I guess most of us can relate. Good story, and I love th quote, too.
Maybe they were squabbling over the topic of the place of interest to visit. Both may have differed with each other.
Ssooo … many couples cannot travel together. I agree. It’s best they work it out.
A thought provoking write creating dialog. Well done ..!!!
Isadora
Oh, that doesn’t sound like they’re fun at all. I agree with the husband. I think they should probably let them be.
Been there, done that – the married couple in trouble. Men are so silly sometimes! Love the quote, great story!
Thought provoking piece and possibly not unusual in a marriage. Should one offer a friendly face or not? A smile never hurt anyone and if she wants to talk to a smile let it go from there. But I know my husband would say – don’t meddle.
De Balzac certainly was right about marriage. It does seem to be the mundane that chokes out the romance. You put together a nice story to accompany it. Good work.
MG
I#m with the wives. Just the offer of a tissue might make all the difference to the yellee’s day – and the sympathetic honeymooner will regret it all day if she doesn’t make that offer.