A new season brings on strained relationships and conflict that threaten to rip apart even the most enduring of bonds.
Relationship challenges are nothing unique, but for Dirk and Lisa, their love begins to feel much like a burden. Meeting one night at a college party, the two start dating soon after, and nearly ten years later, they remain together, cohabitating. But with Dirk's frequent indiscretions, unwillingness to commit, and an embarrassing final straw, Lisa sets a plan in motion to move on. A decision that leaves Dirk scrambling in the eleventh hour to save the love he suddenly realizes he can't live without.
In direct contrast, Dirk's friend Courtney and his wife Daryn epitomize a healthy and fruitful relationship. Married four years, the two live the life most couples work towards but rarely lay hold of. All is well... until it isn't. Daryn, born into an affluent family and assuredly overindulged, regularly overspends, much to Courtney's chagrin. Courtney attempts to reel his wife's bad habits in vain and before long Daryn's stubborn opposition triggers unresolved trauma from Courtney's childhood, and soon Daryn watches her doting husband transform into a vicious, borderline abusive stranger.
A new season brings on strained relationships and conflict that threaten to rip apart even the most enduring of bonds.
Relationship challenges are nothing unique, but for Dirk and Lisa, their love begins to feel much like a burden. Meeting one night at a college party, the two start dating soon after, and nearly ten years later, they remain together, cohabitating. But with Dirk's frequent indiscretions, unwillingness to commit, and an embarrassing final straw, Lisa sets a plan in motion to move on. A decision that leaves Dirk scrambling in the eleventh hour to save the love he suddenly realizes he can't live without.
In direct contrast, Dirk's friend Courtney and his wife Daryn epitomize a healthy and fruitful relationship. Married four years, the two live the life most couples work towards but rarely lay hold of. All is well... until it isn't. Daryn, born into an affluent family and assuredly overindulged, regularly overspends, much to Courtney's chagrin. Courtney attempts to reel his wife's bad habits in vain and before long Daryn's stubborn opposition triggers unresolved trauma from Courtney's childhood, and soon Daryn watches her doting husband transform into a vicious, borderline abusive stranger.
She had been monitoring the digital clock on the old electric stove, the one he'd promised to upgrade months ago, and realized it had been five minutes since either of them had spoken. Once her eyes locked on those numbers, they seemed to speed up. Maybe it was because she wanted him to say something, and the more time passed, the more dismissed she felt. The more used. The more foolish. Eight minutes. If only he would stop pretending. Tell her how sorry he was, and then they could break down together, maybe collapse to the floor and cry.
Maybe he would tell her how he regretted everything, and she would forgive him, and things would be right between them, and they would laugh about it on their 10th wedding anniversary; admit how silly they were back then. But those numbers kept changing, time kept moving, and the sentiment never surfaced. Ten minutes.
"Well?" She gripped his arm, trying to jar him to respond, but he didn't budge at her touch and made sure to let her catch a glimpse of him rolling his eyes. At least she thought it was intentional.
She was seething more than anything because she knew his head game. His way to make her feel like she was the crazy one. He casually picked up the television remote and started flicking through channels. Didn't he know his cocky posturing was only more incensing?
For some reason, she still wanted to hear his explanation, maybe even needed to, a small part of her wanting to believe his account was truthful. Despite her need, he provided no further explanation. Instead, heaving a loud, exaggerated sigh, he shook his head, like somehow, he had a right to be irritated.
Turning the television off, he tossed the remote control on the coffee table and turned toward her.
"Look, I told you it was nothing." He shrugged. "Why are you sooo insecure?"
Before she knew it, before she had a chance to consider a rational response, her hand was passing across his face. Then a second time. He caught her by the wrist on her third attempt, eyes wide.
"What the hell is your problem?" he asked, slinging her arm away. She stood there indignant, just as he had been moments earlier, feeling like she was justified in her reaction. His words, and what most would consider emotional cruelty through the years, were the backdrop of what incited her rage. But moments later, the anger dissipated, and regret poured over her. She resisted the urge to take him into her arms and tell him how sorry she was, although nothing in her disposition suggested she wanted to.
Instead, her piercing eyes didn't waver, her face still void of any remorse. He pursed his lips together hard and shook his head, waiting for some degree of contrition from her, an apology or something. After seeing none, he snatched his keys from the key hook and walked out of the condo, slamming the door so hard she thought it might fly off the hinges.
We understand relationships go through seasons. Sometimes we fail to understand how one relationship can go through uncertainty and compromise. In the beginning, this is Lisa's and Dirk's story. She lets him come and go as he pleases. He's still living that frat boy life. There have been infidelities, but she keeps the faith he will commit.
Readers are invited to follow two couples: one married, one in a long-term relationship, and they work through their issues. Daryn and Courtney are a successful married couple. But spending is the issue. Daryn is over the top with buying things. Courtney wants them to save for their future. She doesn't think it's a big deal because it's her money. Besides she comes from a family with privilege and her parents provided the best. They seem to have it all; true love, a beautiful home, and thriving careers. But when her spending habits aren't to Courtney's liking friction begins.
At first, I was annoyed and too hard on Lisa. I think because it reminded me of my doomed relationship. It was challenging to revisit mine. To forgive myself for sacrificing so much of my 30s for him. This might hurt but I spoke a few times about my toxic relationship experience. Feelings ring true like when Daryn tells Lisa:
I mean look, a relationship should not have you floundering around in a tizzy trying to maintain it.
I was challenged to give Dirk the benefit of a doubt. I was not on his team, especially after the FB incident and he still had the nerve to flirt with another woman. Lisa was not the best version of herself when she tells him she hates him.
Willfully Blind is keenly observed in psychological reality. B. Anglea Reed captures the brave act of staying with someone when all seems lost. I couldn't guess where the story went but it was fitting and ripe for a sequel. Readers who like stories about Black love and the ups and downs of relationships should add this to their bookshelf.