Sarah Jane had gotten so swept up in right-wing blogs and online presences as an elder. Now that she was retired, she had a lot of free time, and spent most of it perusing very hateful and spammy online spaces.
“Hey babe,” Tafari said, entering their bedroom. “You wanna go out to dinner? I was thinking we could try that new Italian place downtown?” Sarah Jane ignored him, or perhaps didn’t even hear anything he said. She was cackling at something on her computer screen, clearly totally enraptured in whatever she was looking at.
Tafari sighed and stretched his arms, unsure of what to say next. “Um,” he muttered. “SJ? Did you hear what I said?” “What?” Sarah Jane snapped back. “I just wanted to know if you want to go out to dinner tonight,” said Tafari. “I’m busy,” Sarah Jane scoffed.
“The thing is, Sarah Jane, you’re always busy,” Tafari said, throwing his hands up in frustration. “You’re always on your computer, or your phone, in a thousand different Facebook groups and chats and forums. It’s becoming unhealthy!” Sarah Jane stood up and spun around, indignant.
“You know what’s unhealthy?” Sarah Jane said, pointing her finger at him. “This attitude. Telling me what I can or can’t do? Who do you think you are?” Tafari shook his head. “I’m your husband,” he said. “I’m telling you this because I care about you, and it’s hurting our family. Don’t you care about that?” “Oh please, don’t flip this on me,” Sarah Jane spat. “You know what, whatever. I’m going to bed.”
Sarah Jane changed into her pajamas before getting into bed. Tafari moved to join her, but she swatted him away. “Sleep on the couch,” she muttered, turning in. “SJ!” Tafari exclaimed. “Are you serious?!” “Does it sound like I’m joking?” Sarah Jane said.
Tafari watched as his wife got into their bed, alone. He shook his head, unable to think of what to do or say next. With a heavy sigh, he walked out of the room and into the living room.
Tafari thought long and hard about what was going on. He wasn’t losing his wife; he’d already lost her. Sarah Jane had started to succumb to hateful online rhetoric for years, and he’d watched her suffer without doing anything. He scowled as he thought about the numerous fights he’d had with his twin sister Kamaria, who’d stood up for her daughter when Sarah Jane attacked Shea for being gay. He felt pressure in his stomach as he remembered siding with his wife over his sister, at the time thinking it was the right thing to do. And now, his wife wouldn’t even let him in their bed.
Tafari let out another deep sigh as he made himself comfortable on the couch. He tried not to think about how wrong he’d gotten this whole situation, instead focusing on getting some rest so he could wake up tomorrow with a plan.