Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on Laura and Michael as they said quietly at the kitchen table. Their hands were wrapped around mugs, but their eyes were locked in a silent battle.

"I didn't think about that,’’ said Michael glumly, a look of shame washing over his features.

"You don't think about anything!’’ Laura snapped back, her anger piercing through him like a bullet. ‘’Do you realize how that sounds?"

"I know, babe. I just forgot, is all. It was a mistake."

She glared at him. "A mistake? This isn't about forgetting to take out the trash, Michael. This is serious."

The tension in the air was palpable, a taut string ready to snap. The clink of the spoon against the mug as Michael stirred his coffee was a jarring note in the otherwise quiet room.

Finally, Michael broke the silence— speaking slowly, as if trying to choose his words carefully. "I just... I got caught up with work, honey. I’ve been stressed out lately. You know how it is."

"That's always your excuse,’’ Laura replied, rolling her eyes with frustration. ‘’But what about us? What about our plans? I know you’ve been busy, and so have I. But do you see me ignoring my responsibilities? No, Michael. What if I just forgot to pay the mortgage? Or put the kids on the school bus?’’

Michael looked away, his gaze settling on the small crack in the wall, as if it held the answers he needed.

‘’Hello?? Michael, look at me! We're supposed to be a team, remember?"

Michael exhale, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I do remember, Laura. and I'm sorry. But, I didn’t forget to call the contractor. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.’’

Laura's sigh was heavy and filled with disappointment. ‘’ you havent gotten around to it? Or you just didn't think it was important?"

"It's not that. I just... I didn't realize how much it mattered to you."

She shook her head in disbelief. "Of course it matters! How could it not? This is our home, Michael. Our future." The words hung between them, a reminder of shared dreams and the reality that was slowly pulling them apart.

"I'll fix this,’’ Michael assured her. ‘’I promise.’’

Laura hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Promises are easy. I need you to show me you mean it."

They sat in silence, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing down on them. The coffee grew cold, forgotten, as they pondered the fragile threads of their relationship.

He stretched both arms across the table to take Laura‘s hands in his. "I'll call the contractor right now. And then will sit and go over everything, okay?"

She nodded, the barest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. ‘’ Thank you, honey.’’

With a heavy sigh of relief, Michael stood up to fish his phone out of the pocket of his blue jeans. Crimson flushed his cheeks as he forced an awkward laugh.

‘’ What, now? ‘’ Laura asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

‘’ You’re not gonna believe this… ‘’ he said, scratching his head and staring down at the floor. ‘’ But, I think I must have forgotten my phone at work.’’