Thinking Lisa was playing along, Jake laughed. But his smile turned down as he read. “Wait… what is all this? Shock sweeping his face, he squinted at the figures. One thousand two hundred for a personal trainer? Grocery expenses of $700 a month What the devil Lisa is asking? Arm’s crossed Lisa leaned on the kitchen island. “You want me to get up at five a.m., go to the gym, create gourmet meals, tidy, cook, and invite people. Do you not agree that we should budget for all of it?
Jake fixed his eyes on the total. $75,000 yearly? You leaving your employment begs questions. She shrugs. “How else might I implement your strategy? Right now, I cannot work and be the “perfect wife.” He turned to study the pages, his confidence erasing. “I… I did not mean…,” He stammered and had big eyes. Lisa, I never intended for it to be like this. Just considered…
She fixed his eyes with a quiet but forceful voice. “You wondered what?” That I could “improve” personally akin to a project? She carried on, the hurt obvious. “Marriage is not about routines or lists. It relates to respect. And should you ever try to “fix” me once more, you will be paying far more than what that paper shows. Speechless, he stood at last realized his own demands were ridiculous.