When I married Nick, I thought I knew exactly who I was building my future with. We had been together for five years before tying the knot. Five good years. We laughed a lot, fought rarely, and always felt like we were on the same team. Nick was charming, funny, and the kind of guy…
“Tonight is an important night of my life. My boss needs to see our house in a perfect state. Are you listening to me, Dana?” my husband said, irate as always. I had gotten used to him speaking to me this way. “Yes, Wade. I’ve made your boss’s favorite dish, and it’s perfect,” I replied….
I stood in my kitchen, hair piled in a messy bun, wearing my oldest leggings and a t-shirt with mysterious stains that had survived multiple washes. Perfect for a day of deep cleaning and meal prep, terrible for unexpected company. The house smelled of chili and cornbread. Late afternoon light streamed through the windows, catching…