Why We Don’t Fight

“Bye, sweetie.” I kissed Sandi as she walked through the door. “Call me when you get there.”

“You bet.” She smiled at me and entered the car, closing the door behind her.

I watched as she drove down the street.

“Dad?” James said, “Why don’t you and Mom fight?”

I closed the door and sat where I could see his face. “Why do you ask?”

“Whenever I see a husband and wife on tv, they almost always fight.” James stared at his tablet. “Why?”

“What you see on tv is drama, and conflict makes the program interesting. Real life is different. Nobody wants to live where there’s only disagreement.”

“How do people keep from fighting?”

“Here’s what Mom and I do.” I settled in my seat. “We communicate, listening as much as we speak. Many couples talk just when they’re fighting, but I’ve found that we can avoid yelling at each other by simply chatting now and then.”

James remained quiet while I continued.“Mom and I treat each other like we’re still dating. When we walk, she’ll take my arm. I open her car door for her, not because she can’t, but because she’s special. Little things like that can keep a relationship fresh.”

“So, it isn’t very hard, is it?”

“Well, yes, and no. Doing the little things every day isn’t difficult. Remembering to do them and remembering why we do them takes more effort. And, there’s one more thing. Always, think of your partner first. Mom does it for me and I do it for her.”

My phone rang, and I pulled it from my pocket.

“Hi, sweetheart.” Sandi’s voice came from her picture. “I’m here, safe and sound.”

“Thank you, beloved. Have a wonderful evening.”

I disconnected and turned back to James. “It isn’t rocket science.”

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.