whybother?

The other day, Darren casually mentioned that there is a work function on tonight that he is involved in. He briefly, and I believe, evasively, outlined what it was all about and I filed it away under the ‘does not affect me’ category. He mentioned it again in a bit more detail over the weekend. It appears that there is some sort of presentation to be made to him. It was still all very casual and vague, but some part of me picked up that possibly this had some importance to him. So I asked a question: ‘Do you want me to come?’ I was answered with a sort of grunt, followed by what could have been: ‘if you want’.

This morning, he was up and about rather early. Showered, pressed and smelling lovely. It occurred to me to ask what he was up to. There were more vague references to this evening’s festivities, and a promise to be back soon. Several hours later, I rang him to see if he would be coming home for lunch. He replied that he would be home very shortly, and yes please, he would like something to eat. About an hour and a half later he rocked up. So far, no fuming. This is all fine. I am on holidays. I have child-minding responsibilities to fulfil and he is free to fart about ad infinitum.

Around 4pm, he started making noises about ‘getting ready’ for whatever is happening. He showered (again), painstakingly ironed his clothes and polished his shoes, and was about ready to go. I asked if he still wanted me to attend, and if so, what time? He replied that he would ring me. I asked what I should wear, and he replied: ‘not jeans’ (jeans are my standard, non-work uniform). Off he went.

It is now 6:15pm. He is not here. I have not had a phone call. I am dressed up to the nines (well, for me, anyway) and it would appear that I have nowhere to go. Meanwhile, a friend who I expected would be at this do rang me. Naturally, I asked her why she wasn’t at the gig. She replied that she is not going. After some questioning, it was revealed that her partner (my husband’s colleague) has pissed her off no end, and she is no longer attending said function. It is her way of protesting against his treatment of her. ‘Besides,’ she continued, ‘partners are not invited’.

Interesting.

Do I care about this function? No. Is it important to Darren? Apparently to some extent. Does he want me to be there? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS? That, friends, is why I am fuming.