Entangled Desire

omato sauce beside her let out an aromatic steam that filled the house, fusing with the warmth of the evening. The sun had long disappeared, leaving only the calm hush of late

gnawed at her. Still, she continued cooking, deciding that if

d her hands on the kitchen towel and hurried toward the front door. Before she reached it, the door opened, revealing Jide, le

bit too much to drink at the office gathering. I didn

ed with the stupor of alcohol. Marian's concern flared into anger for a moment, anger at Jide's irresponsibility. But as she looked at his un

tepping forward to help her husband. "Thank you for br

, his feet scuffing the tiled floor. The smell of stale whiskey and sweat hung around him in a pungent cloud. Despite herself, Marian couldn't help feeling a pinch of frustration. Their finances had been tight lately. She k

red walls, a small bookshelf in the corner loaded with novels, and the bed with crumpled sheets from that morning's rushed departure. Jide's body slumped against the mattress. His eyes opened a fraction, attempted to focus o

oes, well-fitted trousers, and that crisp shirt all spoke of a man who was more at ease in a sleek office than a modest bedroom. Yet t

stepped away. "He'll be fine," she said softly. "T

f his own presence there. "I couldn't just let him get behind the wheel i

rouble." Her voice echoed her fatigue. Hosting another person at th

fered a polite smile. "A gl

st a place for Jide to watch late-night news or for Marian to entertain her relatives. Sparse but tidy, the room bo

ow, the curtains slightly parted as he peered into the dark night. She handed him the glass, and he thanked her quie

husband's colleague, she was in a simple house dress covered by a faded apron, her hair pulled back in a messy bun. Clarence, by contrast, looked immaculately put-together despite the lat

Our finances are a bit tight, and the workload at the office mus

e hallway, as though making sure Jide was indeed resting. "I know. We've been working on a big

relief. Perhaps if Jide got a raise, they could stop living paycheck to paycheck. She pr

much tonight? He doesn't do this often, not to this exte

for that project. A few drinks turned into a few more, and before I knew it, Jide was ordering anothe

t hum of the overhead fan punctuated the silence. She realized Clarence was looking at her

take good care of him. I see how you w

ing." She paused, searching for the next words. "He's changed a lot since we got married. In some ways good, in other ways, not so goo

ection of the overhead light in the polished floor tiles. "He's luck

iteness. She cleared her throat. "Would you like to sit more comfortably?" she offered, patting the couch beside her. The invitati

armth of his presence. She wondered if this conversation was straying into waters Jide might not approve of, though her husband was snoring sof

Clarence offered, letting his gaze rest on the

a simple tomato stew, really. My mot

speaking so candidly with another person at this late hour. Clarence parted his lips as if to say something, but hesitated. Finally, he spoke softly.

reathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sometimes I wish I had someone to talk to about h

with earnestness. "You do now," he said quietly. "If you ever need a friend to tal

thed a part of her she had let ache for far too long. She nodded, offering him a shaky smile. In that moment, a shared u

ured. "You don't know