So there is this lady I know

who has a job, but it doesn't pay much. A night job, from 6 at night till 2 in the morning. What we call suckie hours.

The man she lives with also has a job, a better job, with daylight hours and 3 times the money.

The have been together for 5 years. They began in his parents house, living in the basement, then in an apartment, now he has leased a house, and his parents talk of marriage and she thinks of it.

Not too long ago she noticed her man's facebook page no longer says 'in a relationship' and he has some new female FB friends she doesn't know.

Loke any couple they have up days and down days. He likes her cooking, but leaves his socks on the floor. The usual stuff.

Her car died two months ago. She had enough money for a new used car, but thought that if she could get him to co-sign a loan, she could put half the money down and still have some money so she could buy some things for the house. She was a little hurt when he simply refused. Gave her a spiel about learning financial responsibility and not wanting to tie up his money yet. She thought about the times when his salary didn't cover enough for the apartment and furniture so she picked up the payments on the furniture and bought the food too, but she said nothing. Instead she took all of her money and bought a new used car. She has no more money, but at least she has a reliable car.

This is Christmas week. She got a line of credit at a store and bought a big screen television for him. She has been hiding it at work and was planning on bringing it home tonight.

Yesterday morning he told her he was going to the gym, which he has been doing every morning for years. This time she decided to surprise him with a brunch after his workout. So she went to the gym to get him. He wasn't there. Worse the clerk told her he hasn't been there all week.

So she goes home puzzled. She thinks also she may be coming down with the flu. Last week he had the flu and lay in bed all day. She nursed him as best she could, but she had to go to work. This week he announced he felt better and was going to the gym again. He has said so every day this week.

He comes home a few hours later freshly showered and tells her he had a really good workout and played some basketball too. She is both stunned and hurt, but says nothing.

Later, they argue. Something silly about how much hot water the washing machine uses. A normal argument or discussion in any household, but last night it took an ugly turn.

He tells her as she is getting ready for work, this isn't working out, I think you should move out.

And there it sits. The dream is being smashed in front of her and she has no clue why.