G.I. Wife and Jack
I was 25 when my husband announced that he loved his old friend, Jack Daniels, more than he loved me and our two-year-old son. It took months for me to accept my husband’s departure and years for me to understand the undeniable lure of liquor to an alcoholic. It took me to a midpoint to find my soul mate.
Two years after my first husband walked out on me and our son, I took my child to celebrate the birthday of one of his friends. While eating my third piece of cake, I noticed a gentleman looking at me in a way no one had in a long time. The mother of the birthday boy quickly told me everything there was to know about the attractive single father with obvious good taste in women.
After a whirlwind, nine month courtship, I walked down the aisle again. I married a career military man who loved me and, more importantly, my son as if he was his own child. I was happier than I had ever thought possible.
Two months later, I struggled not to cry as my new husband left me, his son and mine to serve our country abroad. I was not prepared for our intimacy to be reduced to a long distance relationship. I was not prepared to be a single mother or not one, but two children. I was terrified.
I was so concerned about how I was going to make things work, I barely had time to worry about the dangers my husband was facing. When we talked, I would update him about the boys and work. I talked until my throat was sore. By the time I stopped, our calls were cut off.
It took more than a year for me to learn how to manage time in this long distance relationship. Asking about my husband’s well-being now happens at the beginning of every phone call. My children’s activities are scheduled around my husband’s availability. Spending time together as a family dominates our collective schedule when my husband is home.
Given the nature of my husband’s work, I never know where he is stationed. He doesn’t bring gifts for the kids other than items he picks up at the airport. Over the past decade, I still have not taken the time to worry. Instead, I wonder about my husband’s whereabouts and work. When I think I just can’t go on like this, I remind myself that he is risking his life to give others the chance to live and love peacefully like we do. When that doesn’t pacify me, I have a visit with my first husband’s old friend, Jack Daniels.
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