When I got home, I took a shower and then settled in with a plate of fruit while binge-watching a show.
I used to handle all the housework, including cooking, laundry, and cleaning, so I barely had time to watch TV.
It had been a long time since I’d enjoyed TV like this.
After finishing two episodes, I was drowsy and fell asleep in bed.
Half-asleep, I heard the door open and footsteps, followed by her calling my name.
“David?”
Seeing me deep in sleep, she slapped my face lightly.
I rubbed my eyes and looked up. “You’re back?”
She looked momentarily surprised, frowning at me with what seemed like irritation.
I couldn’t figure out why she was upset. Was she annoyed that I didn’t interrogate her about why she stood me up or why she was with Howard? Was she expecting me to doubt their relationship and start another endless argument?
It was a joke.
In the past, when I was hysterically upset, she would criticize me for being petty, looking at me like I was a clown. Now that I wasn’t upset anymore, why was she the one getting mad?
“I’m sorry. Howard had a depressive episode, and I was afraid he might do something drastic, so I had to cancel on you,” she said.
I waved my hand dismissively. “It’s fine. Get some rest. You have to get up early for work tomorrow.”
I waved my hand dismissively.
She said anxiously, “He’s really in a dangerous state. I couldn’t get away…”
I glanced at the time.
Without letting her finish, I interrupted.
“It’s fine. Get some rest. You have to get up early for work tomorrow.”
Without waiting for her to finish, I interrupted and buried my head under the covers, going back to sleep.
I needed to get enough rest to recover quickly.
Seeing my reaction, she paused briefly, sighed, and then went to the bathroom to wash up.
I quickly fell into a deep sleep. It was the best sleep I’d had in years, and I didn’t even notice when she finally got into bed.
