He Remembered Her Cramps, But Forgot Mine

The moment the young coworker reached for a can of iced soda, my husband caught her wrist.

"Don't drink that cold stuff. Aren't you on your period?"

Without missing a beat, he shoved the icy can right in front of me, taking the steaming mug of hot tea sitting before me and placing it gently by her hand.

Smooth. Seamless. Practiced.

I froze.

He remembered her cycle was today, but completely forgot mine was, too.

A dull, sharp cramp twisted through my lower belly, suddenly impossible to ignore.

I pushed the cold soda away, looked up, and stared at him.

"I started mine today, too."