Oh no, my work is asking for a new report and I am not even sure what they want.
And are we out of milk? What will my daughter do for breakfast?

Do I have time before my next meeting to get to the store and back?

My husband looks at me “I have…”

I whip around and glare at him, waiting for him to give me yet another task when I have no time and everyone needs everything from me.

He reacts to my attack stance. “I need to tell you something!”

Deep breath. “I didn’t say anything. I’m listening.”
I do not have time for this, I have already missed the maybe-window to run out and get milk, which he seems to be TOTALLY unaware of and the disaster that  is looming.

He looks at me “I’m trying to tell you.”

Yet MORE time has gone by while he kills time telling me that he’s about to tell me something.

“Tell me!”

He tilts his head and takes my hand. “I should show you.”

Deeper breath.

This is my husband.  

He is not attacking me.

He leads me to my desk. “I heard you when you were complaining about the bugs flying in. I have a plug-in bug killer that should help.

I looked up at him.

And threw my arms around him.

This is why I do those work projects. It’s why I get the milk.

We are taking care of each other. And it can be a fight every day. Some days more than others.

This house is strong. It has stood and will stand through many storms.

I don’t have to bring any under my own roof.

Now he can smile at me. It’s safe again

“Thank you baby,”I tell him. “You are wonderful.”