Curfew

Before I got married, my father set my curfew. After marriage, my husband decided when I should come home. I followed my father’s rules because I wanted allowance money, but my husband’s curfew felt unfair. I didn’t even realize I was following the rules since I was always by the children’s side, trying to set a good example and make sure they turned out well. Even after the kids grew up and left home, my curfew continued. I kept quiet for the sake of peace in the house.

“Let’s go somewhere young people like to hang out,” 

My father said,

“Dad, if we go to places like that, the young people will feel uncomfortable. Let’s just go somewhere more suitable.”

“As you get older, you should hang out in places where young people gather. That’s how you absorb their energy.”

Fortunately, even though I’m older now, I still hang out late at night with my younger artist friends. When I’m with them, I never get up first to leave. I stay until the very end. Each gathering becomes a thing of the past, never to return. I give it my all to that night, and sometimes I stay out too late.

My husband, who doesn’t like socializing, is more old-fashioned than my father. After dinner, he usually dozes off and goes to bed around 8 or 9 p.m. Even in his sleep, he somehow always knows when I’m out late and calls me angrily.

“Where are you? Do you even know what time it is?”

I’ve always believed I did my best for both my husband and my children. So one day, I asked my husband to lift the curfew.

“When I was little, whenever I was sick, my mom used to send me to my friends’ house to play. After that, I’d feel better and eat well. I stay healthy by going out and having fun. Would you rather I stay cooped up at home, whining that I’m sick and end up with depression? My friend’s husband lets her stay out until midnight. Can’t you either extend my curfew or just get rid of it? I’m a free woman.”

“Okay. Then I’ll extend your curfew to midnight.”

 “Great. So don’t call me if I’m a little late. Just get a good night’s sleep.”

After 40 years of marriage, my curfew was finally extended from 10 p.m. to midnight.