As their usual Sunday routine — Kristen and Gary spend their morning doing chores at home before heading to the grocery store to plan for the week. But when Gary gets a phone call from his friends, he bolts — leaving Kristen to fork up the $650 bill and find her own way home. Who is more important to Gary, and what can Kristen do to teach him a lesson?
For as long as I’ve been married to Gary, we have had a set Sunday routine. We wake up, have brunch and then hit the grocery store. It’s been this way for the past two years — it’s how the system runs smoothly.
Two plates of food on a table | Source: Unsplash
So, it’s a Sunday morning. I make us brunch while Gary sorts out the outside — mowing the lawn and so on.
“Are you ready?” Gary asked, as he came into the kitchen fresh from a shower.
“Yes,” I said. “Don’t forget to take the shopping bags.”
A lawn mower outside | Source: Unsplash
We get to the store, and my husband and I have a ball of a time. We walk the grocery store per aisle, making sure that we got everything we needed — and then some. We were both foodies, so cooking together was our love language.
Until Gary’s phone rang, and I saw a different side to my husband.
A shopping cart in a grocery store | Source: Unsplash
We were just about to start unloading our cart at the checkout when Gary’s phone erupted with a loud ring.
“Sorry, Kristen, but I’ve got to take this,” he muttered, stepping aside to answer. “You can start checking out, though.”
So I began to unload all of our groceries — the meat, the veggies, the fruit, not to mention the junk food and drinks that we had stocked up on, too.
Moments later, Gary returned, looking both agitated and excited.
A man using his phone | Source: Pexels
“Listen, I have to run,” he said, glancing at the groceries as the checkout guy went about scanning them.
“Where do you have to go?” I asked.
“The guys are waiting for me. We’re going to have some beers, barbecue, and watch the game together,” he said.
Gary put his hands in his pocket, and looked toward the exit.
A person holding beer with firewood in the background | Source: Pexels
I thought that he was waiting for us to finish at the grocery store, then drop me off at home before taking off to his friends.
“I’ll see you later,” he said.
“What? Now?” I asked, puzzled. “But we’re about to check out!”
“I know, I know,” he said hurriedly, swinging the car keys. “But I can’t miss this, Kristen! It’s a big deal, you know that the guys and I barely hang out.”
A man holding car keys | Source: Unsplash
“How am I supposed to get all of this sorted out and get home? You’re getting a cab?” I protested, my eyes darting between Gary and the growing line behind us.
“What? No! I’m taking the car. But I’ll call you a cab!”
He hastily began to place items on the conveyor belt.
“Okay,” he said. “I’ve got to dash!”
And with that, he was gone.
A man walking away | Source: Pexels
“Do you need help with these?” the checkout guy asked. “We have people to help with these things.”
I nodded. I couldn’t believe that Gary had actually left me at a grocery store, just to go and drink with his friends.
“That will be $650, ma’am.”
A cashier at check out | Source: Unsplash
Of course, Gary had left without leaving any cash behind. It wasn’t that I relied on him for money — it’s just that we usually did this type of thing together. And $650 wasn’t what I had expected our grocery trip to come to.
I paid and wheeled the heavy cart outside. I stood looking at the parking lot, hoping that by some miracle, Gary would still be there.
That he would be waiting for me.
An upset woman looking down | Source: Unsplash
That he would have finally realized that he was wrong to leave me for an insignificant moment with his friends.
I deserved better.
After a few minutes, a cab drove by. The driver got out and helped me pack all of our groceries into the trunk, and we took off for my home.
A yellow cab | Source: Unsplash
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got with Gary.
What on earth could have possessed him to leave me alone? I felt hurt and disrespected. I hated everything about the way I felt. My husband had never made me feel this way before.
I got home and unloaded all of the groceries. I was in a foul mood by then. So, I made a cup of tea and took it to my bubble bath. I needed to relax before thinking about how to get back at Gary.
A cat among grocery bags | Source: Unsplash
As I was sitting in my bath, sniffing the calming scent of lavender, I decided that I would cook myself a fancy dinner with all the ingredients I had bought.
“Two can play at this game,” I thought, shuffling around the house in my socks and pajamas.
I put on some music and I began to cook — I prepared an elaborate feast, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, couscous, and the works. All of our favorites.
A bubble bath with tea and a book | Source: Pexels
The kitchen smelled heavenly, and I was in the zone. While waiting for the oven, I set the table meticulously for one — my resolve hardening.
If there was one thing I knew about my husband — he would always check my social media, especially when he was away from me.
So, I took photos while I cooked, and posted them on my socials.
A woman cooking | Source: Pexels
My stories were always perfectly captured, and I usually shared my cooking online. Shortly after I posted every story, Gary would ‘like’ it — and every time he did that, I knew that my plan was working.
Sure enough, my husband would be with his friends — drinking and snacking and watching whatever game they said they were going to. But Gary wouldn’t eat there, not when he knew that I was cooking at home.
For good measure, I sent him a photo of my plate saying:
Dinner is fantastic tonight, wish you were here! xx
A person taking a photo of food | Source: Pexels
Later that night, Gary returned to a clean kitchen without leftovers. I was lounging comfortably with a glass of wine and a book — the evidence of my solo feast neatly packed away at the back of the fridge.
“Hey,” he began uncertainly, after he walked in and out of the pristine kitchen. “The house smells incredible. Did you save me some dinner?”
A glass of wine on a table | Source: Pexels
I shook my head, a slight smile playing on my lips.
“Actually, no,” I said. “But you missed a great meal. Everything was so fresh!”
Gary’s face fell as he glanced around to the dining table, as if hoping that there would be a plate of dinner for him.
“I didn’t have dinner,” he admitted.
“Oh? Why not?” I asked, crossing my legs.
A man sitting and covering his eyes | Source: Unsplash
“Because I saw your stories and I thought that there would be dinner for me, too,” he said.
I remained silent. My husband knew exactly what he had done wrong. I just needed him to admit it.
“Kristen,” he said. “I’m sorry I left you at the store like that. It was a last-minute thing with the guys and I didn’t know what else to do. I wanted to be with them, I guess. And I knew that you could handle it.”
Gary walked to the fridge and returned with a beer. He opened his mouth to start talking again.
I raised a hand, stopping him mid-excuse.
A cold beer bottle | Source: Unsplash
“Gary, when you choose your friends over me, it’s more than just leaving me to handle the bills or whatever. It’s way more than that. You left me behind so that you could drink beer. You made me feel second to a barbecue. Today, I wanted you to experience coming home expecting a warm meal and finding nothing.”
“You did this on purpose?” he asked, shocked.
“It’s not just about food,” I continued. “It’s about the people you prioritize.”
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Pexels
“I never looked at it that way,” he said. “I’m really sorry.”
Our conversation that night was long and honest — Gary needed to be reminded of the fact that we were a team and that we did everything together regarding our home. But it turns out that I also needed to be reminded that we could have our lives, too.
“Get out sometimes,” he said. “Go out with your friends, and leave me to take over the house. You’re allowed to escape the routine, too.”
A group of friends having a picnic together | Source: Pexels
When we went to bed that evening, I felt bad. I had never denied my husband food before, but there was a lesson to be learnt here.
Gary needed to know that he couldn’t leave me stranded in a grocery store without a car. Or without offering to help. Beer and barbecue did not qualify as an emergency.
“You’re right,” he said as he brushed his teeth. “I need to get my priorities straight.”
I’m not sure if Gary learned his lesson, but I do think that making him buttered toast and tea for dinner was a step in the right direction.
Buttered toast with jam | Source: Unsplash
Demi Moore, 61, Ditches Her Criticized Long Hair: Fans React to Her New ‘So Flattering’ Sleek Hairdo
Demi Moore, 61, Ditches Her Criticized Long Hair: Fans React to Her New ‘So Flattering’ Sleek Hairdo
Demi Moore showcased a new slicked-back hairdo that hid her long black hair, and fans appreciated seeing her strands out of her face. The actress’ hairstyle almost looked like a mohawk, with a bit of volume at the top and super sleek sides. She wrapped her hair in a tight bun, perfectly complementing her white gown.
Before even noticing her stunning white gown, fans were mesmerized by the new hair look. One commenter expressed their excitement, writing, “Finally that scraggly hair is gone, if even for a moment.”
Another netizen enjoyed Moore’s elegant look, stating, “Love the details on this. It’s fun and elegant. I know we’re used to seeing Demi with her hair down for events, but up is so flattering here. Bravo! 👏”
Although the sleek bun look needed a bit of getting used to for some viewers, they still loved it. “So strange to see you with your hair tied up after all these looks with the long sleek hair down but still gagging ❤️,” wrote one commenter. Another person added, “The hair back for a change is gorgeous.”
Moore’s new hairstyle outshone even the stunning gown she wore. The dress featured a draped neckline with rhinestone details around her shoulders and waist.
She paired the elegant look with silver heels to match the gems and dainty diamond earrings. She also kept her makeup simple to let her hair and dress stand out
The actress’s new slicked-back bun is a trend that has dominated the beauty community over the past decade. This hairstyle has been a top choice among those who favor the “cool girl aesthetic.” It is usually paired with minimal makeup and gives a more polished finish to any look.
Celebrity hairstylist Kathleen Riley praises the style, saying, “To me, it’s a powerful hairstyle. It shows off the face beautifully and is simple yet elegant.”
This hairstyle has become a staple for many people, as it is also universal and works with every hair texture. “It’s quick, easy, requires very little technique, and is a great way to have a low-manipulation protective style,” adds hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos.
However, Demi Moore did not adopt the trendy hairdo until recently, as fans know her for rocking her long black hair. In some instances, internet users have not always loved her hair, especially when styled for red-carpet looks.
For instance, Moore’s recent gown for the Cannes Film Festival was criticized for its unusual design and how her hair was styled with it. This was the actress’ first appearance at the prestigious event in 27 years. She attended “The Substance” premiere in a gorgeous silver mermaid gown.
The gown had an arrowed segment popping straight out on her left side and was styled with silver and diamond earrings and a necklace. The statement dress also featured a neckline that showed a bit of her cleavage.
Demi Moore posed on the red carpet with a smile on her face, showcasing her famous cheekbones. The actress’s photos in this outfit were shared online stirring a heated discussion, primarily centered around her bold fashion choices.
Some comments focused on the gown’s unusual design, including the exaggerated appendage that many fans found puzzling. One critic quipped, “She’s good but what in gods name is that appendage shooting out of her dress.”
Another user wondered why Moore went for that dress remarking, “Demi can poke an eye out with that dress!” Furthermore, an unimpressed fan mocked the dress, noting that its unique design seemed to be saying, “The exit is that way 👉🏻.” Another chimed in bluntly, “Weird dress!”
In addition to her striking gown, Moore’s long hair also drew significant attention, with some fans saying that her hairstyle was too extravagant for her age.
“Her hair is too much,” one person noted, while another concurred, “Yes agreed… 👍 needs to be put up in a bun… not appropriate for her age.” A user who shared similar views wrote, “That hair is weird.”
Another person loved Moore’s look but was also against her hairstyle, saying, “Demi Moore is like Halle Berry in that they both look beautiful and more youthful with short hair, in my opinion her hair is wayyy too long it does not suit her at all 🥰😍.”
Still, the reaction to Moore’s appearance wasn’t solely negative. Several fans defended her look, expressing admiration for her fearless approach to fashion.
“That’s a movie star!!! ⭐️!!!” one admirer declared. Others echoed similar sentiments, calling her “Gorgeous❤️❤️” and “Stunning 😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️.”
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