HAPPY WIFE

The message I sent to my husband Mitch was left unanswered. Just like the ones I sent days ago… weeks ago. He had stopped replying to my texts.

I scrolled through the one-sided conversation, my heart tightening at how pathetic it looked.

Suddenly, a message popped up. Hoping it was his reply, I immediately clicked on it.

“Just to make sure you know how serious we are… if the money isn’t paid before Friday, we will take serious actions. I am reminding you because you cry a lot.”

It was from the loan company.

I sighed.

Should I swallow my pride and ask my boss for an advance payment? Maybe…

“Lena…”

I blinked and looked up, my hands still buried in the sticky dough.

It was Julia, my co-worker and closest friend at the café. Flour dusted her apron and cheeks like war paint.

“You’ve been miles away since you walked in. Is everything okay? You know you can talk to me, right?”

I forced a small smile and quickly thought of a lie.

“No… I mean, thanks for asking. It’s just… my period is a bit late, so…”

“Oh my God! Congratulations!”

Before I could correct her, Julia squealed and pulled me into a tight hug, smearing flour all over my black uniform.

The warm yeasty scent of her apron filled my nose.

“I’m not sure yet,” I mumbled against her shoulder as she continued squeezing me. “Julia… I’m really not sure.”

When she finally pulled back, she gasped at the white mess she’d made on my clothes.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry!”

She brushed at the flour frantically, only making it worse. “I got way too excited for you.”

I laughed softly.

“It’s okay. I appreciate the enthusiasm.”

Julia and I were the only married women among the servers at Honey Home Bakery and Café, so we naturally gravitated toward each other.

There was something comforting about sharing the same stage of life.

“Now that you’re pregnant—” she started again, eyes sparkling.

“Not confirmed yet,” I interrupted gently, turning back to the cake I was icing.

She waved it off.

“My husband and I have been talking about trying for a fourth baby.”

“That’s nice,” I said, carefully spinning the cake stand as I smoothed the buttercream.

Julia leaned against the counter, lowering her voice.

“You won’t believe what happened last night.”

I furrowed my brows curiously.

“My husband Billy came home from work, ate the dinner I prepared, and went straight to bed without even touching me. Not a kiss, not a hug—nothing.”

I didn’t know how to respond.

I could relate more than she knew.

“That’s… rough. How long has it been since he last…?”

“Last what?” she asked, tilting her head like she was confused.

“Not… touching you?”

“Oh!”

She burst out laughing.

“Just last night! For six years of our marriage we can’t go a day without sex. It’s weird, you know… That’s why I panicked. I even called his mother. He apologized immediately, and early this morning we had three rounds before I left for work.” She winked. “That’s why I told the young girls I had hip pain—so it won’t look suspicious. They have no idea it was from my husband’s very energetic delivery.”

I nodded, trying to keep a straight face.

“Wow… that’s… really good for you. No wonder you’re so happy this morning.”

She grinned mischievously.

“Thank you! What about you, Lena? How’s your sex life with Mitch?”

“Fantastic,” I said, rolling my eyes with a playful shake of my head. “He drains me every single day.”

Yeah… what a lie, Lena.

Julia’s eyes widened.

“Ah, so that’s why you always look tired and sleep-deprived! I thought you were depressed or dying from some mysterious illness.”

I froze for a second.

Do I really look that bad?!

I quickly masked my surprise.

“Far from it. I’m perfectly healthy. If I’m dying from anything, it’s from too much love and mind-blowing sex.”

“Girl!” Julia shrieked, and we both dissolved into laughter, the sound echoing through the warm bakery.

Suddenly, loud cheering and high-pitched squeals erupted from the front of the café.

“What’s going on out there?” I asked, wiping my hands on my apron.