He’s an executive. His house is paid for, as are the university educations of his kids.

His wife won’t fuck him. Hasn’t for years. She was “never much interested in sex”.

They had a talk when their son was around thirteen. Should they divorce?

No, they shouldn’t. A boy becoming a man needs a man in the home. They both like their house, the neighbourhood, their neighbours, their friends. And they don’t mind each other.

And so, an agreement.

2008

How are you?
Fine.
How’s work?
Busy as hell. I’m out of town two days a week. This year I’ve made twenty-two trips and it’s only June.

Hey, what’s up with you? How was your weekend?
Great – went to the States and did some shopping with The Wife and The Boy.

I called you this morning, looking for a lunch partner. Couldn’t get a’hold of you. What’d you do for lunch today?
Wendy.

Andrea, Bea, Carrie, Dori, Evelyn, Freya, Gail, Hannah, Jaye, Kelly, Lisa, Mo…

2009

What’s on your plate right now? That project wrapped up, does that mean things have slowed down for you at all?
I’m still out of town every other week. Forty business trips in fifty weeks. It gets old. I hate hotel rooms. But I love my job.

What’s new with you? What are you doing on Friday? Wanna have coffee?
Can’t. I’m having lunch and fucking Jaye.

…Nat, Olivia, Paula, Quincy, Ro, Simone, Tracey, Una, Val, Wendy, Xandra, Yvonne, Zita…

2010

How was your weekend?
Great! Just got home from Seattle. Did some shopping with my wife. I bought a beautiful pinstriped suit. Nice treat. I deserved it. Been travelling all year. I’m away at least two days a week.

Got time for coffee?
Yes…
…How are things between you and your wife?
The same. I’m thinking about leaving. We’ve been talking about it.
I’m shocked. I thought you liked your life just as it is: nice house, nice wife, lots of nice women on the side…
This was never the plan. I was faithful for ten years and I could have been faithful forever. Fucking around gets old. I’d like to have one woman, a condo downtown, modern furniture, a view…she’d be my age, her kids would be grown, we’d do some travelling together, enjoy life.
I thought you loved your life. Having your cake and all that…
I do love my life. I have a great life.

How are things? Are you seeing anyone?
Mostly Jaye, on Fridays and some Thursdays. But I have a date with the lovely Tracey this weekend.

…Alex, Barb, Connie, Dori, Elise, Freya, Gail, Harley, Jaye, Kathryn, Lisa, Mo…

————-

Just as easily, it could have been:

Friends, Sex and The City, Grey’s, Mad Men…

Frito’s, Old Dutch, Kettle Chips…

Absolut, Skye, Grey Goose…

[insert hamster wheel/distraction of your choice, here]

AND:

What are we waiting for?