- Pauline! What kind of panic? You roam around the house, as if you lost something. Maybe you are looking for your gray trousers and black blouse? - Mark asked me.
"Yeah, that's what I'm looking for," I said, not stopping to rummage through the large closet.
"So they're there!" I put your things in the closet, "the husband stated calmly, not looking up from reading the newspaper.
"They are not here!" I exclaimed excitedly. The search for disobedient things finally took me out of balance. Mark postponed the newspaper, opened the second half of the cabinet and pulled out his hangers, on which pants and blouse hung neatly.
"You're not looking well, Polina!" If things hang on the shoulders immediately after washing, then there is no problem with ironing! Lenochka taught me this! I clenched my teeth, but I said nothing. Then it seemed to me that these are all little things and you can fight them, because I really loved my husband. But time passed, and the shadow of Lena did not become paler, did not disappear and did not disappear! Her business lived and flourished in every word, deed and gesture of my beloved Mark!
Once I could not stand the next comparison with Lena and asked in the forehead:
"Mark, why did you divorce her?"
"I already told you," he answered tensely. - We did not fit together. But this is not the main thing. I love you, Pauline! Your stupid jealousy for Lena surprises me. I need only you!
I really wanted to believe him and save our marriage . Therefore, we agreed that Mark will cease to compare me with Lena. But, unfortunately, he did not do it very well: every now and then my rival's name flew from his lips. On the day of my birth, with trembling hands, I unpacked a huge gift wrapped in crispy paper. "What did my dear husband buy me?" - simply burned with impatience. Finally the paper gave up, and I took out of the box a strict blue suit and a tiny purse made of crocodile leather.
- I hope, my dear birthday girl, I guessed with the size! Whispered Mark. Jeans, T-shirts, jackets, good sneakers - that's my clothes! That's what I felt easy and at ease. With these puzzled thoughts, I put on a suit and looked in the mirror. To this costume even shoes-boats - and I will ... spilled Lena! I happened to see Mark's first wife several times.
She adored strict clothes . My husband screwed up his eyes with admiration and kissed me on the cheek with the words:
- Polinochka, I'll definitely buy you a pair of pumps for this suit ...
- Lacquered, on a small hairpin ... - I guessed, remembering the image of the hated Lena, which she saw in photos in such shoes.
"Just like that!" I already looked! Rejoiced Mark. "Do you like them, dear?" Would you like to have one?
"What does it matter?" - I was just beside myself with frustration.
"What's the matter, Polina?" The husband ceased to rejoice. "What's the matter with you, love?"
"It's important that you and your dear Lena like this!" - I sobbed, and the tears poured from my eyes.
- Do not be silly! - Mark embraced me. "Honey, you know very well that she does not interest me at all."
- Really? I shouted, breaking out of his embrace. - And these are your remarks, "Lena did so," "Lena believed that you need to talk about it ..." I do not want to be like her! Your constant comparison has already got me! If you do not like something, return to Lena!
"Polina, my dear ..." Mark tried to justify himself, but I already suffered:
"Who's the best cook?" Who is the best hostess? Who knows how to talk to your mother? Who is dressed in style? You know perfectly well Lena's favorite colors, but I still do not remember that I hate blue, and from strict suits, I just feel sick! I still do not understand how you turned your precious attention to me: I'm just hopeless compared to your ideal ex-wife ... Tell me, Mark, "added wearily," have you visited your apartment for a long time? "
When tenants can release it?
- I was there the other day. They are ready to move out anytime. And why are you asking about this? - the husband was surprised.
"I give you time to move to the end of the week," I said decisively. - Pauline, what are you doing ?! - Mark was frightened.
"It will never change!" You'll forget me faster than your Lena! I've had enough, Mark! Sorry and goodbye! At first he thought I was joking. But I was not into jokes. Yes, from the outside we were just an ideal couple, and could I have thought that the shadow of the ex-wife would eat us with its all-pervasive significance. She won! And I gave up! I want to meet someone for whom I will be the first and most important. Who will not constantly compare me with someone!