Locked Up

Locked Up, A Conversation Wife: “We got to talk." Husband: “What do you mean?” Wife: “It seems we can go on and on, never talking.” Husband: “Talking?” Wife: “I mean about us, about our relationship." Husband: “You know I’m not very talkative and don’t have the need to talk much, but I listen to you when you speak.” Wife: “Yes, but I sometime start talking about ‘us’ and you just go silent and claim that I’m attacking you. I expect you to respond in words and action convincing me that you care. I’m sorry if you think I’m attacking or blaming you. I’m just trying to tell you how I feel.” Husband: “But I’m not sure what I can do about the things you relate to me. I know that I do not open up about my true feelings except when you upset me. There is no doubt that my communication skills fall short when it comes to expressing my feelings or ‘heart issues’. I’m sorry that I react in anger and unintentionally hurt you. I have sincerely thought at times that you are expecting more from me than I am capable of giving. It seems I try but never seem to succeed”. Wife: "I’m not saying that you are bad, abusive, or unkind. I’m not saying that you do not respect or love me. It’s just that I need more from you". Husband: "I know that you deserve more and better. When it comes to our relationship, I think that there is something ‘locked up’ inside of me. I don’t know how to ‘be released’ where I can ‘speak to your heart’.” Wife: “I hear you honey, and I agree about ‘the lock-up’. We have talked about counseling but never followed through. Occasionally, things get better only to return to the same results.” Husband: “I know honey. Many of the problem areas were not even detected when we were raising the kids. After they grew up, we began to pay more attention to ‘us’. Wife: “I think you are right." Husband: “O honey, it’s getting late. We have to get ready for our class at church tonight”. 09032016 PS Contest, Mid-Summer Premier Brian Strain