There was silence in the room as they both lay down with their faces up, looking at the ceiling fan, doing it thing, with a little squeaking with a lot to say on their minds but waiting for who would go first.
"So, babe, how about the vacation you promised? It is almost the end of the year, and you are yet to fulfill that promise." Jennifer said as she broke the silence and gave the room a little life.
"You know my financial flow has not been what it used to be; give me some time to figure it out, babe." Henry said as he held her hands, reassuring her.
"Time again, that is exactly what you said the last time, and we ended up not going for the vacation." Jennifer said, giving him a stare.
"I see you don't want me to have a good night's rest; have room to yourself." Henry said as he left for the sitting room, banging the door behind him.
The following day he left for work even before Jennifer woke up from sleep, all sad and thinking about how to tell her to cut down her luxurious lifestyle and that way he might be able to save up for their long planned vacation but don't know how she would take it as it is already a habit for her to visit the boutique often and do a lot of shopping and even more expensive whenever she shops with friends and does her nails and hair.
"Can I have a word with you, Steve?" Henry pleaded with his close friend on reaching the office.
"Hey Henry. Hope you are good, man. You look worried." Steve asked
"Yeah, I am good, but I am really worried, brother. My wife is on my neck about the vacation I promised her early this year, but with how she is lavishing my money on luxury, I don't see myself ever fulfilling that promise." Henry responded, using his hands to cover his face as well as trying to hide how frustrated he is.
"There is only one way to go about this man: talk to your wife and let her see the elephant in the room. If you don't, you won't fulfill the promise you made, and at the same time, you won't have rest of mind." Steve responded
"I really don't know how she is going to take it, man. I just hope this does not jeopardize my marriage." Henry said as he rested his head on the table.
"She has to choose between her luxurious lifestyle or the vacation. You have to deal with the elephant in the room and rest now or suffer for a very long time." Steve said as he walked out of Henry's office.
Henry gave the advice he got from Steve a thought and decided to go with it instead of dying in silence.
"Hey honey. I would like us to deal with an important matter, more like facing the elephant in the room." Henry said after they had dinner
"And what would that be? Anything that does not have to do with the vacation we planned or you apologizing, I don't think I am interested." Jennifer responded with a stare.
"I am sorry for how I reacted last night, but don't you think if we can cut down on expenses, we can actually make this dream vacation a reality?" Henry asked with a big smile.
"Like we should cut down on the amount of groceries or foodstuffs that we purchase?" Jennifer asked, trying as much as she could to avoid talking about her luxurious lifestyle.
"Not that, but the amount of money you particularly spend on clothes and shoes." Henry said softly, trying not to offend her with his decision.
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"All for the vacation; I just want this dream to become a reality. I will make amends." Jennifer responded as they hugged each other.
"Sometimes, you just have to face the elephant in the room." Henry muttered