The herbalist - Short story - chapter 1

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Susan couldn't believe what had just happened.  She just got off the phone and was offered a silent partnership in a shop opening in town. It has always been her dream to open an interior decorating/ home decoration shop, but she never had the money. She didn't commit to anything and told the person that she would think about it. 

In the eleven years she had stayed in this town, she never made any real friends. Her husband Ted was a well-known lawyer in town, and he never allowed her to work. He wanted her at home. She was his caterer and his interior decorator and he didn't want her attention to be distracted by anyone or anything.  

 Their house was immaculate, even if it was only to impress his clients or friends. He earned a huge salary and he always allowed her to go over budget when she spent money on the inside of the house. For Ted, it was important to show off.  

Ted and Susan met nearly twenty years ago. She used to work at a well-known chain store, and Ted often came in to look for something new to buy for his apartment.  He was always impressed by what she suggested and gave her a budget to decorate his bedroom.

He was extremely impressed by what she had done, and he became more and more addicted to her.  She became somewhat of his personal decorator. In turn, Susan loved the attention, and they became good friends.  It got to a point where Ted was totally infatuated with her. She was all that he ever looked for in a woman.  

She was beautiful, had a beautiful body and she could cook like a pro. Ted asked her to get married on the spur of the moment one evening when she was busy cooking for him in the kitchen, and she instantly said yes. She was just too glad to get out of her dire situation.  She had a tiny apartment that she had to give up and she hated her job.  To be married to Ted, meant that she could live her dream.  

They were happy, and in the beginning he used to bring friends and colleagues over constantly.  Ted worked very hard, but when he came home it felt like a sanctuary to him. He loved everything Susan did in the house, and he loved the hearty meals she cooked for him. 

Ted decided very early in their relationship that they would not have children. Children would spoil their perfect home.  Susan hoped to change his mind at some point but they were still young, and there was still time. 

Somewhere along the line, Susan started to get bored.  She could cook and clean and decorate with her eyes closed and she wanted more. 

She tried suggesting again that they should have a baby, but Ted just laughed it off. He was offered a partnership in a big law firm a few months later and put the apartment up for sale without even consulting Susan. 

It was sold within a week, and they moved to a new town.  Ted bought a lovely house with a large kitchen, and gave her free range to decorate the house.  She loved the new challenge and put her heart and soul into the new house.  She went totally overboard, but Ted didn't care.  He loved everything that she did, and he trusted her completely.  

She made quite an impression on his colleagues when he invited them over for dinner one evening, and she was offered more than one opportunity to decorate their houses.  She felt good about herself, and saw this as a wonderful opportunity to start her own business.  Ted was not so impressed.  He refused and she had to turn down all the opportunities.  

Susan knew that she had to find something else to keep herself busy because she was getting bored with her life once again.  

To be continued