DIVORCE (NOT US!)

One of our friends just announced that she and her husband are getting a divorce. They are about our age, and like us, married later in life. He had been married before and has grown children. She had never been married. We have other things in common with this couple. They too are expats living in Italy. They too made the decision to live in Italy rather suddenly…even more suddenly that we did. They’ve been here about three years now, and apparently he had been seeing someone else for the last year.

I don’t know what caused her to be suspicious, but in the end, she was right. She was able to get the proof she needed, mainly because he was stupid enough to think he wouldn’t get caught. She’s filed for divorce and plans to continue living in Italy. She had quit her job and severed all business ties once they had moved to Italy.

At this point she plans to continue living in the house they bought together. Her soon-to-be ex is currently living in the same town with the local putanna (whore) who is still married and has two young children. Our friend is hoping that eventually the discomfort of living in the same small city will force the ex and friends to move. Public sympathy seems to be on her side.

When I told Art the news, he was shocked. His response was “that’s almost as unbelievable as you and me getting a divorce!” I assured him that in the same situation, he wouldn’t have to worry about it. In the same situation, he’d probably fall down our very long and very hard steps…many, many times. Hell hath no fury, etc etc.