Tonight is the university’s Annual Award Banquet. I’m being presented an award, so attendance is a requirement. Aida is coming with me, and I couldn’t be more bothered by it. We haven’t spoken a single word in person in almost a week. She’s been holed up in her room for days, doing God knows what. I finally had to text her last night, reminding her of the banquet.

Of course, she bitched about it again. As if doing something for her husband is too much to ask. I can’t win with her. Either I want too much, or not enough with her. First, she complains I’m not home enough, then when I am home, we couldn’t be further apart. I already can’t wait for this night to be over. Her annoyance ruins any excitement I have about the award.

I’m in my office, per usual, with my door closed and a glass of whiskey in front of me. Pulling out my phone, I bring up my sister Molly’s number, hitting call on FaceTime. For a minute, I think she’s not going to answer, but eventually, her line connects.

“Hey, baby bro,” she greets with a smile on her face. Molly lives in Texas with her husband, Julian. We don’t get to see each other much in person these days, so FaceTime is our saving grace.

“Hey, Mol. How’s it going?”

“It’s going. Just finished cleaning up dinner. What about you? Your award ceremony is tonight, right?”

“It is. I have to get ready for it soon.”

“Why do you seem so grim about it? This is fucking exciting, Stone!”

“Aida is bitching about having to go,” I grumble, already knowing what’s coming. Molly has never been quiet about her dislike for Aida. The two of them got along well enough for a while when we first got together, but once I voiced some of our issues to Molly, it was game over for her.

“Stone… Why do you do this? Why invite her in the first place?”

“All of my colleagues know I’m married. She’s been to every other event. I don’t feel like answering the nosy questions about where my wife is. It’s easier to bring her and pretend.”

“Have things gotten any better?” she asks.

“No. If anything, they’ve gotten worse. We hardly speak anymore, and when we do, it’s forced and tense. I don’t understand how we got here, Molly. We used to be happy when we were younger. No marriage is ever perfect, but it wasn’t always this miserable.”