Addiction

Karen went ballistic when she found out that her husband, Kenneth, had gambled away their entire life’s savings. They had been saving for a house, were meant to put the deposit down that week, but he spent everything.

She loved him, she really did, but there were limits.

Their talk, long overdue, took place in the porch, with Karen revealing her biggest fear – she would stop loving him. Swinging back and forth, she couldn’t stop. He was trying to explain, she was trying not to shout.

‘Why did you do it?’ she asked.

‘I just wanted to give you more, it was such a small flat, you always dreamed of a big house, with a garden, so our children could be safe.’

‘Don’t you get it, I would much prefer them having both parents. You hurt me Mike, took all our savings. What are we going to do now?’

‘I don’t know, but I’m sorry, I know I should get help.’

‘It’s an addiction, and you need to get help, or I can’t live with you.’

He nodded. ‘I’m so sorry, I won’t hurt you like this, I’ll go to therapy, I promise.’