“John, are you going to be home in time? I made your favorite pot roast!” It had taken forever and it had left the kitchen and Dana’s clothes smelling strongly of broth all day.

Over the phone, John’s voice sounded distance, as always.

“I’m sorry honey, I’m pulling overtime again.”

Dana sighed, not knowing why she had expected anything different.

She looked over at the calendar that hung on their fridge. It had that day’s date circled: Friday, October 12th.

Their anniversary.

“But we’re going to celebrate this weekend, right?”

The muffled voices of Dan’s coworkers chatting and laughing wafted through the phone.

“I’m sorry, what’s this weekend, hon?”

“Our fifth anniversary—gosh, John, that’s the third time this week I’ve reminded you! I told you I wanted us to plan something!”

“Look, honey, I’ll see if I can get out work tomorrow or Sunday—“

“It’s the weekend, John. Our anniversary, for Pete’s sake!”

The noises of laughter and comeraderie from John’s coworkers grew louder over the phone.

“What are you, having a party or something over there?” Dana asked, more irritated by the minute.

John cleared his throat. “It’s, uh, a little thing the office threw together for Linda’s birthday. Dana, I know you’re upset,” he said quickly before Dana could unleash all the emotions that came up after hearing that name, “but I promise I’ll make it up to you!” Dana heard him say something to one of his coworkers, then an eruption of laughter, then “I have to go, honey. I’ll probably be back after you’re asleep, but I promise I’ll make this up to you. Love you,” he said, and then hung up the phone before Dana could say anything more.

Dana slumped against the kitchen counter and stared at the beautifully plated dishes of pot roast. Two identical plates, sitting side by side.

Dana didn’t even like pot roast.

The more she stared at the plates, and at the calendar, the angrier she became.

Every week it was the same lame excuses. Well this time she’d had enough. She picked up one of the plates and threw it against the wall. It made a loud, angry, satisfying noise as it shattered. Pot roast splattered everywhere and smeared down the wall while shards of ceramic flew across the room.

That had felt amazing.

Walking daintily across the kitchen floor, she entered the entryway of their home. She pulled on her highest heels and her nicest coat. She picked up her phone and made a reservation at the finest restaurant in town.

This time, she would be the one staying out.