Page 167 - The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

agreed that whoever washed the dishes could do it his/her
way, and that conflict was resolved. They were about six
months into the marriage when Patsy began to feel that
Pete was withdrawing from her. He was working longer
hours, and when he was at home, he spent considerable
time with the computer. When she finally expressed her
feelings that he was avoiding her, Pete told her that he was
not avoiding her but simply trying to stay on top of his job.
He said that she didn’t understand the pressure he was
under and how important it was that he do well in his first
year on the job. Patsy wasn’t pleased, but she decided to
give him space.
Patsy began to develop friendships with other wives
who lived in the apartment complex. Often when she knew
Pete was going to work late she would go shopping with
one of her friends instead of going straight home after
work. Sometimes she was not at home when Pete arrived.
That annoyed him greatly, and he accused her of being
thoughtless and irresponsible. Patsy retorted, “This is the
pot calling the kettle black. Who is irresponsible? You don’t
even call me and let me know when you will be home. How
can I be here for you when I don’t even know when you will
be here? And when you are here, you spend all your time
with that dumb computer. You don’t need a wife; all you
need is a computer!”
To which Pete loudly responded, “I do need a wife.
Don’t you understand? That’s the whole point. I do need a
wife.”