Chapter 1

"Why do I feel like every time we're together, we fight?" Eddie asked, exasperatedly. The husband and wife were having their 4th fight of the week and it was only Thursday.

"Maybe because we do. There's always something we don't agree on. Whether it's work, or what to eat, whether or not we should get a pet, what to watch on tv. It's always something." Jamie replied, exhausted of having to fight with her.

"I think that's actually the only thing we can agree on." Eddie took a deep breath before speaking again. "Maybe this was a mistake. Us getting married. Maybe we shouldn't have done this."

Jamie was about to say something else before she said that shocker. "What?"

"I think we rushed into this. We only dated for 2 days before you proposed. Even the months we were engaged wasn't enough time to really get to know each other."

"So, what the hell are you saying? Do you want a break, or, or, a divorce?"

"I don't know. I'm just so tired of fighting all the time. I mean I know a fight or two here and there is normal, but not everyday, multiple times a day. Maybe we should take a break."

At that statement, Jamie sat down at a seat that was pulled out from the table. He couldn't believe — didn't want to believe — that their marriage was failing.

"Ok. If that's really what you want." He said with a sigh.

"It's not that I really want to; it's that I think we have to. I love you, and I want our marriage to work, but I don't think it will if we keep going like this."

Jamie just nodded. After letting everything set in for a few moments, he got up from his spot and walked to the bedroom.

"What're you doing?" Eddie asked, standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm packing a bag. I'm gonna go stay at a hotel. You can stay here." Jamie told her, as he moved around the bedroom, gathering some of his things in a backpack.

"Just so you know, I'm not gonna be going to Mass or Sunday dinner either. A break from you also means a break from your family."

"Ok. What do you want me to tell them?"

"Just tell them that my shifts changed and I have to work Sundays."

"Ok."

"I have to go. My shift starts in about an hour."

"Ok. I'll be gone before you get back."

"Bye Jamie." For the first time in awhile, Eddie had let her emotions show through a little bit, and her eyes started getting watery.

Jamie didn't say anything. He continued packing his bag as she left. It was only after he heard the door close that he stopped packing. He sat down on the bed and rubbed his hands over his face, thinking about what had just happened. After not even a year of marriage, things were falling apart, and there was nothing he could do about it.

After sitting on the bed for a long while, mulling over everything that had just happened, he got up, and continued packing. He'd packed most of his clothes and toiletries into two big duffle bags and a smaller backpack. He also packed a few pictures that were important to him: a picture of Joe, a family photo of Danny, Linda, and the boys, and his graduation photo with his parents.

After taking all of his stuff to the car, he went back to the apartment and looked over everything one last time, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything.

The last thing he did before he left was stare down at his left hand, take a deep breath, and then carefully slide off his wedding band. He placed this ring in the bowl by the door, meant for the keys, and then walked out, barely remembering to lock the door.