Chapter Two

The Trophy Wife

It all started quite innocently. Last Saturday night a gathering was arranged in our home for a group of physicians from the university to watch the USA men’s soccer team play in a World Cup match. I didn’t really care about the game, but I was excited about the party. Since I’m somewhat isolated taking care of the kids, I was really looking forward to spending some time with actual adults for a change. Unfortunately none of the men’s wives came to the party, but I was still happy to mingle and chat with Eric’s fellow doctors. Thankfully, my husband’s parents agreed to take care of our two kids for the evening. Out of respect for the privacy of my children I’d prefer not use their names. My kids don’t know anything about all of this and I intend to keep it that way for as long as I can, if possible.

My husband did invite one woman to the party however, a cute blonde sales representative from a pharmaceutical company. She had come to give some sort of presentation about a new drug her company was trying to promote to the hematologists in my husband’s practice. In addition to his position as an Attending Physician at the University, my husband works as a medical consultant to various pharmaceutical companies, organizing presentations of this kind. I didn’t give it a second thought when he told me she was coming. I remember kissing her on the cheek in a friendly manner when I welcomed her into my home. Her name was Phyllis or Lois, something like that. I don’t remember.

Before the game started the charming young woman spoke enthusiastically to the group of physicians. The drug was going to revolutionize the treatment of blood disorders and change the industry, she said. She was a very good saleswoman, I’ll give her that. It was clear she had some work done, which is pretty common for women around here. From the ogling looks in the eyes of the men at the party, the fake boobs only made her appear more attractive to them. You could tell by her flat stomach she never had any babies. I was quite jealous of her slender physique, as I was still trying to lose the baby weight I had gained. I’m ashamed to admit how much I secretly envied little Miss Bouncy Breasts. She looked happy and free, unburdened by the responsibilities of being a parent. Her curvy body, revealing cleavage and radiant smile made her the center of attention. She was not only pretty and sexy, but interesting and intelligent as well. It got on my nerves that the doctors wanted to know her opinion on a wide range of important issues. To be fair, some of my husband’s associates complimented me too, telling me how attractive I was and how pretty the house looked, but I know no one really respects the fact that I’m a stay-at-home Mom without a career or a job. Say what you like, I know it’s true. Everyone in our circle of friends secretly looks down upon me, despite the difficult and thankless task of raising children. I love my kids but it is exhausting being a mother, organizing birthdays and playdates, constantly buying food and clothes and toys, cooking and feeding them, cleaning up after them, keeping them happy and entertained, dressing and undressing them, driving them to school and day care through LA traffic, running them from one appointment to the next, helping them with their homework, washing them, getting them ready for bed, day after day after day. No wonder I feel listless most of the day. I hardly sleep at night, tossing and turning in bed and eventually getting up to wander around