Chapter 6 - The Birthday List
Friday evening, Ryan came into the kitchen and dropped another grocery list on the table.
“You forgot the ribs,” he said.
Melanie was drinking coffee.
“I didn’t forget anything.”
He opened the refrigerator. It contained milk, mustard, half a lemon, and the new salad Melanie had bought on the way home.
Her name was written across the lid in thick black marker.
Ryan glanced at it and smirked.
“Still upset about that?”
“No.”
“Good. My mom’s bringing cups. Tyler has beer. Just make sure the food is ready by noon.”
Melanie looked at him.
“Did you buy any food?”
Ryan closed the refrigerator. “It’s my birthday.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
He exhaled dramatically. “Why are you making this weird?”
“I told you everyone should buy their own food.”
“That was about your salad.”
“You said adults should buy their own food.”
Ryan’s patience snapped.
“Melanie, normal wives do something nice for their husbands’ birthdays.”
“Normal husbands don’t volunteer their wives to feed sixteen people.”
He stared at her as if she had spoken in a language he did not understand.
Then he laughed.
“Fine. Have your little protest. You’ll panic tomorrow morning and cook. You always do.”
He walked out.
Melanie remained at the table.
May you like
For years, he had mistaken her reliability for surrender.
That night, she slept better than she had in months.
