Troubled Marriage
Episode 1
Frank sat by the window of his small university apartment, staring out at the bustling campus below. The air was thick with the sounds of students hurrying to their next class, the rustle of papers, and the occasional laughter drifting through the open window. At 25, Frank was deep into his law studies, a field that had always been more of his motherâs dream than his own. His thoughts, however, were often far from the textbooks that littered his desk.
“Mom, I’m not getting any younger,” Frank said, his voice carrying a hint of frustration as he spoke into the phone. It was their usual Sunday call, the one time each week he could hear her soothing voice and share his thoughts. “Iâve been thinking more and more about settling down, starting a family. Maybe itâs time.”
“Frank,” his mother sighed, a familiar tone of gentle admonishment lacing her words, “You need to focus on your studies. Your father would have wanted you to finish what you started. Youâre so close to graduating. Marriage can wait.”
Frank leaned back in his chair, his eyes flicking to the old photograph of his parents on the wall. His father, who had died when Frank was just a toddler, was a figure of distant memories and stories told by his mother. Frank often wondered how different his life might have been if his father had been there to guide him, to give him advice about life and love.
“Mom, I know you mean well,” Frank replied, trying to keep the impatience out of his voice. “But it feels like Iâm living in a bubble. Everyone around me is moving forward, and Iâm stuck in this routine. I donât want to look back in ten years and realize I missed out on something important.”
His motherâs voice softened. “Frank, I just donât want you to rush into anything. Your education is your future. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, and itâs not something to be taken lightly. You need to find someone who shares your values, your goals. You canât do that if youâre not fully focused on becoming the best lawyer you can be.”
Frank ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of her words. She was right, of course. Law was demanding, and his professors constantly reminded him that it required unwavering dedication. But still, the yearning in his heart persisted. He had always envisioned himself as a family man, much like his father had been, or at least as he imagined his father had been.
“Frank, your father would be proud of you, no matter what,” his mother assured him, her voice warm and comforting. “But you need to make sure youâre proud of yourself too. Finish your studies, become the man you want to be, and everything else will fall into place.”
There was a long pause as Frank absorbed her words. He knew his mother only wanted the best for him, but it was difficult to balance her expectations with his own desires. He glanced around his apartment, the cluttered textbooks and legal pads a stark contrast to the life he sometimes dreamed ofâa life filled with love, companionship, and the warmth of a home that wasnât just a temporary stop on his journey.
“Okay, Mom,” Frank finally said, his voice resigned. “Iâll keep my head down and focus on my studies. But Iâm not going to ignore what I want either. When the time is right, Iâll know.”
As he hung up the phone, Frank couldnât shake the feeling that he was standing at a crossroads, with one path leading toward the life his mother envisioned for him and the other toward the life he secretly longed for.
Frank didn’t care if it was too early to start thinking of marriage, he was just too eager to get married.
One evening, as Frank sat in his apartment, poring over case studies, his phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from his friend, Jake.
âHey, man! A bunch of us are heading out for a party tonight. You should come!â
Frank frowned at the screen, his first instinct to decline. Parties were never really his scene, especially with everything weighing on his mind. But as he started typing a polite excuse, Jake sent another message.
âCome on, Frank! Youâve been so serious lately. You need to unwind. Trust me, itâll be fun!â
Frank hesitated. Maybe Jake was rightâmaybe he did need a break from the endless grind. After all, it wasnât like his thoughts about marriage were going away anytime soon. Perhaps a night out would help clear his head, even if just for a little while.
âAlright, Iâll go,â Frank typed back, feeling a mix of reluctance and curiosity. He knew he wouldnât be the life of the party, but a change of pace might do him some good.
Later that night, Frank found himself in a crowded house filled with the thumping bass of music, colorful lights flashing across the room, and people laughing and dancing with carefree abandon. He stayed near the edges, holding a drink that he sipped more out of habit than thirst. The party was in full swing, but Frank felt like an observer in his own life, standing still while everyone else moved around him.
As he leaned against the wall, trying to blend into the background, his eyes were drawn to the dance floor. Among the swirling bodies and flashing lights, one figure stood out. It was a young woman, she wad dancing too crazily and was drunk. But frank didn’t care, her beauty caught her attention, as he began to approach her about to make the worse mistake of his life.
To Be Continued
by Jerry Smith
