The Woman My Husband Thought Had Accomplished Nothing

I stood behind the patio wall with my five-month-old son sleeping against my chest.

For several seconds, I couldn’t move.

My husband continued talking.

He laughed with his friends.

He described me as useless.

As unintelligent.

As a woman who had accomplished nothing.

Then one of his friends asked quietly:

“After eleven children, what did you expect her to accomplish?”

My husband’s answer hurt more than everything that came before it.

“She had plenty of time.”

Plenty of time.

I looked down