DISGRUNTLED: The Lewis Applewood Story
Episode 2: The Angst
The reality of work and home life began to meld as his wife became more of a secretary than a spouse, and his children were seen as slacking employees and not his offspring. He seemed to be late for everything, dinner, dropping the kids off at school, but never work. He refused to speak directly to anyone when in his office, requiring a phone call from the kitchen or living room, in order to converse with his family.
"Well, I'm off to work. Call me if you need anything." Lewis said to Linda, as he stood up from the kitchen table after a breakfast of Blueberry Pop Tarts and black coffee.
"Can't I just..." She said, starting to throw up her arms.
"Linda, you know that family isn't allowed at work." Lewis told her, cutting her off in mid-sentence.
"What are you talking about? Can you hear yourself?" Linda responded, astounded that he was being serious.
"Look, sweetie, I've gotta run or I'll be late for work." he said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek and starting down the hall toward his office.
She slowly followed Lewis to his office, as he briskly walked through the house, pushing up his suit jacket sleeve, checking his watch. Linda, rolled her eyes, as she saw her husband stop short of his tiny office, fix his hair, straighten his tie, take a deep breath and open the glass paned door.
Linda chuckled to herself, thinking "That guy needs to get laid, big time."
Lewis and his wife hadn't engaged in marital relations since he started working from home. This left Linda extremely frustrated and lead to sudden outbursts toward her children. Later the same day, she had a meltdown, not a Chernobyl, but more like a battery that's been in a remote control for too long and the oxidation was starting to corrode the metal connectors.
"What did I tell you about putting away your toys?" She would say directed at Billy or Sarah. It didn't matter, it depended on what day of the week it was. She would alternate between the two so each felt equally punished for her neglect.
"I put them away already, mom." Billy said.
"Good! Thank you." Linda shouted, then softening her voice, realizing she had no reason to yell. Taking a toy from the children's toy crate she walked over to Billy and dropped it on the carpeted floor.
"What's that, mister?" Linda said as if Billy had tried to trick her.
"You just put that there. I'm going to my room." Billy said.
Walking up the stairs, Sarah was watching from the top step with her hands resting on the banister.
"What was that all about?" Sarah asked, knowing that it was just Billy's turn.
"Same ol, same ol. Man, that woman needs to get laid, big time." Billy said, walking to his room, passing Sarah, who interjected, "Get what?"
"I don't know. Mom says it all the time about dad, and he seems to be losing his mind. Maybe if you don't get laid, you go crazy?" Billy said as he disappeared into his room.