Times were tough. After the pandemic I was out of a job, and who hires a 52-year-old unskilled man anymore? Fortunately my husband, Hugh, still had his. However, he worked as a clerk in a law firm and his salary was quite low. We were lucky that we lived in an apartment we owned, bought by both of us when times were better. But the mortgage was putting us in trouble.
That evening we discussed it over dinner.
-Nothing, Hugh, all morning looking and not a single interview, despite the number of resumes I sent out.
-Don't worry, baby, you'll get it -he said warmly. I looked at him, he was so handsome! Slightly older than me, 55, tall, stocky bear of a man, beard, tremendously virile, big hands and feet... I couldn't believe my luck to be with him.
-But we can't go on like this -I replied-. We have to do something. It's getting harder and harder to make ends meet and we don't have any help anymore.
-Well, we'll see, maybe I can get an extra job or something.
-That would be unfair -I replied and I added: -I was talking to Anna today and she told me about the Little expenses program. Have you heard about it?
-I heard about it. It's about downsizing or something like that, isn't it?
-Yes. A guy voluntarily takes part in the government program, whereby he is reduced to a size of 4 inches. That way you save a lot on maintenance. If I did that, we could rent out my office and get some money. I wouldn't need that space anymore. We could even sleep in the small room. A double bed would no longer be necessary.
-Would you do it? You can't be serious...
-Think about it, it could be just temporarily, until we get out of the hole or finish paying the mortgage. There's not much left.
-But I want a normal-sized husband, not a 4 inches one. How would our life be like that? And... -he hesitated- sex?
-Well... I've thought about that too. We can find ways to satisfy each other. But, anyway, I'd be willing... well... you could see other guys as long as I couldn't satisfy you.
