The Cable Guy's Confession

The cable guy wore his uniform like a second skin, crisp polyester that had seen better days. His hair was going gray at the temples—distinguished, really, though he'd probably disagree. Maria watched him work from the doorway of her apartment, holding her coffee mug like a shield against the morning's uncertainty.

"Problem with the box," he said without turning around. "Inner workings are shot. You're not the only one."

She set the mug down on the counter. "You say that to all the girls?"

He laughed, finally facing her. There was something fox-like about him—quick eyes, a readiness to bolt. "Just the ones whose husbands cancel the service without telling them."

Maria's stomach dropped. She'd assumed it was a technical glitch. "Excuse me?"

"Your husband called Tuesday. Cancelled everything. I've got the work order right here." He pointed to his clipboard, then hesitated. "I probably shouldn't..."

"Show me."

The paper was there, plain as day. CANCELLED: SUBSCRIBER REQUEST. Tuesday morning, while she'd been at her dental appointment. While he'd supposedly been at that baseball game with his brother.

"He was at a game," she said, more to herself than to him.

"Ma'am?"

"Nothing. Just... can you fix it anyway? I'll pay for it myself."

The cable guy studied her for a long moment. She saw him notice the photo on the mantel—her wedding day, her husband's arm around her waist, both of them beaming like they'd invented happiness.

"I can reconnect it," he said quietly. "But you should know... I saw him at the Fox and Hound last night. With someone who wasn't his brother. They were pretty cozy."

Maria let out a breath she'd been holding for three years. "Thank you," she said. "For the cable. And the other thing."

He packed up his tools, pausing at the door. "You got kids?"

"No. Just us."

"Good," he said. "That makes things simpler. Not easy, but simpler."

After he left, Maria sat on the couch and watched the cable flicker to life. Some talk show she'd never watched before. She ran her hand through her hair, realizing she could do anything she wanted now. Anything at all. Starting with getting her own damn cable account.