~The next morning~ I dragged myself downstairs after finishing my customary ritual, only to find Karl waiting. He was having trouble finding a way to interact with me. I was in no mood either. We ate breakfast together in agonizing, suffocating silence, the quiet only broken by the occasional clink of silverware against ceramic. As we prepared to leave for work, I found myself contemplating actions that might further provoke Karl's anger, perhaps even drive him to finally make good on ending our marriage once and for all. I found myself hanging out with a group of my coworkers a few hours later. "Hey, what do you all think about grabbing some dinner after work?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light and casual despite the tension that had been building up inside me lately. My cowor

