Summary

The short story “They’re Not Your Husband” by Raymond Carver is about a salesman, Earl Ober, who is between jobs, and his wife, Doreen, who works as a waitress. One night when he goes drinking, Earl stops by the coffee shop where Doreen works. As he waits for his order, he hears two men mention that Doreen is overweight and that they find her unattractive. Earl leaves without a word, but the next day he tells his wife that she should lose weight. She eventually agrees, and Earl says he will help.

After they are unable to decide on a diet, Earl advises her to stop eating for a few days, and Doreen again agrees. Earl buys her a scale and writes down her weight. One day he finds her eating before going to work and gets angry, but then Doreen tells him she will try ...