We spent the next hour going over the statements, each line item revealing a little more of the picture that I had been blind to. My spouse remained calm, explaining away the charges as best they could, but the explanations felt hollow.
« This one, » I pointed to a particularly large withdrawal, « What was this for? »
They hesitated, just for a moment. « It was an unexpected expense. I meant to mention it, but things have been so hectic lately. » Their voice was steady, but I could hear the edge of defensiveness creeping in.
« We need to be more transparent with each other about these things, » I said, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. « I feel like I’m in the dark here, and that’s not how it should be. »
My spouse nodded, looking down at the table. « You’re right. I’ll do better, » they promised, but the words felt like a band-aid over a deeper issue.
As we continued to talk, I realized that this was just the beginning. The charges were a symptom of something bigger, something that needed addressing if we were going to move forward.
The conversation left me feeling drained, but also determined. I needed to understand the full scope of what was happening, and I knew that meant taking a more active role in our finances.
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