Smug Marrieds
by Cyn
Who would have guessed a petite, blonde
woman could cause so much fear? Perhaps the issue was there were two of us.
Two single, attractive people among married couples. And the married ladies
were scared. Petrified, they clutched their husband's arm in an act of possession.
Linda and I were invited to a martini party. It seemed like it was going
to be fun to mingle with the hot drink of the season. We arrived at
the lovely, suburban home and felt we were dressed appropriately for an evening
out. We were not wearing low cut dresses, but black slacks, blouses
and higher heeled shoes-all in all we were fashionably conservative.
Something in our attire was threatening. In the room we were confronted by
hostile couples. The martinis did not seem to be making them friendlier. Tired
of their unfriendly glares we moved to the kitchen and talked to two married
men.
We discussed golf and shared humorous stories. The laughter alerted the
wives. Their husbands were having fun without them. In the beginning
they were just monitoring on occasion. Finally, they just stayed in the kitchen.
"It's really hard to meet people." One of the women interrupted a conversation
about traveling. "Being married is great."
I didn't understand how the discussion had turned, but I was peeved. "What
is this? The smug married versus the singletons?"
My friend and I laughed at my Bridget Jones's comment. The married women
did not find it as funny.
It's not a suburban phenomenon. In the city at a 40th birthday party it
was again Linda and me surrounded by married people. I do not know why the
men gravitated towards us. I would like to believe it's our looks, but I
think its because all the married women were in a corner competing with each
other on household appliances, children, and general morals.
Linda was talking to Doug. I attempted to his wife and the women gathered
in the corner. She tried to convince me her husband was the life of
the party.
“Doug is such a fun guy!” She laughed as she tried to listen to Linda’s
conversation and keep up with the other discussion amongst the women. “Yes,
home schooling is so difficult.”
I glanced at Linda whose eyes had glazed over. ‘The Fun Guy’ was entertaining
her with astronomy stories.
Married women have nothing to fear. Their husbands are loyal. Within five
minutes I am informed of his happily married status.
At the makeshift bar I started a conversation. We were discussing the latest
home statistics. "I think the real estate market is going to bubble."
"My wife is away on business." The man said explaining why he was alone.
I nodded in response, finished my drink and moved along. I noticed his wedding
bands. It's like garlic for vampires. It means do not flirt.
In the end, the single girls end up talking to the caterers or we leave
early. We've been mislabeled, discriminated and ostracized. We are interesting
and have another take on so many subjects. And we used to be you once.
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