Something Special

“You call this food!?!? I’ve seen better slop in the dumpster!” Damon screamed at Brianna over the breakfast table.   “I’m so sorry!  Let me make you something else,” she apologized as she rose from the chair she just had started to sit down in.  “Your sorry a** couldn’t make cereal without ruining it! I don’t know how stupid you have to be to ruin toast and eggs! I’ll just go somewhere and get my own damn breakfast!” He slammed the door on his way out of the kitchen.  A tear escaped her eye as inadequacy filled her entire being. What did I do wrong? She pondered at the food she had set at Damon’s chair. Was the toast too dark this time? Too light? Too much butter or not enough?  Were the eggs too runny or too brown? I can never seem to please him. I thought he liked scrambled eggs and toast.      She took the plate and dumped it all in the trash. Which was full—again. When they first got married, they divided up household chores…if she cooked, he cleaned.  She did the grocery shopping; he was to take the trash out. Except, more-often-than-not, lately, Brianna was left to do it all. As she started rinsing off the dishes, she glanced over at the clock on the microwave. Shoot! She was going to be late if she didn’t get going right away.  There was no time to take a shower since she spent so much time making breakfast for Damon.  Rushing into the bathroom, she grabbed a comb and put her shoulder length auburn hair up into a ponytail—hopefully it will hide the fact that it was dirty for today.  Still, she grabbed eyeliner because when she didn’t wear it everyone thought she looked like death warmed over, which was exactly what she felt like today. Slipping on black capri leggings, an oversized burgundy sweater (which wasn’t loose at it used to be) and her favorite black flats, she rushed out the door.  Cranking up her old blue beat-up Ford Escort, the gas light came on immediately and stayed on. “Crap! I don’t have time to stop at the gas station.” Eyeing the gauge, and then the clock, then the gauge again, she hoped that she had enough gas to get to work. Brianna turned the radio on, hoping some music would get her out of her funk. Bruno Mar’s “Just the Way You Are” came on, and Brianna daydreamed about having a man love her for the way she looked. Damon certainly didn’t give her any attention anymore. Granted, she had put on a little weight since they married four years ago, but it seemed like anything she tried to do to improve her looks went without notice. A tear escaped the corner of her eye as she remembered the night Damon refused to make love to her, saying she was a “fat sack of lard” that could never turn him on. Since then, she tried anything to make him happy, but it was like walking on eggshells around him. It’s not like he was a model or anything…so if Bri couldn’t even satisfy a normal guy like Damon, how could she possibly even think about trying to find love elsewhere? Frustrated, she hit the scan button on the radio to change stations. The Titantic hit “My Heart Will Go On” came on. She pressed it again….”And IIIIIIIIII will always love youuuuuuuu” the radio crooned. “GRRGH!!!! Doesn’t anyone play anything besides love songs!?!?” she yelled to no one as she slammed the radio button off. “What else could possibly go wrong for me today?” she pondered as the traffic light immediately turned red.