The Birthday That Buried Us

On my birthday, the dining table was loaded with all my favorites. My mom had been cooking and baking the entire afternoon, insisting everything be perfect for when Mike got home from work so we could celebrate together.

But then, he called and said his first love had been drugged at a bar, and he had to go help her.

I stopped him and begged him not to go.

Mike snapped at me. "Jesus, Em, don’t pull this jealous wife crap. She’s alone, defenseless, and unconscious—I can't let some random dude take advantage of her!"