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The Anniversary

By Robb Howard

anniversary“David please, I want to celebrate my anniversary,” Lori pleaded. “I want us to have a special time.” It was her fifth anniversary and it was the fourth anniversary of their meeting. Lori had met David when she was celebrating her first anniversary. She had taken herself out to a lavish dinner that she couldn’t afford. He was at the next table with two of his friends and he started talking to her about wine when he overheard her order a bottle of Silver Oak cabernet. Eight months later they were married. “Please honey, let’s go back to the Capitol Grill and celebrate.”

“Lori, I love you but it’s not something I want to celebrate. If it was us we were celebrating, I’d be all for it. But, your anniversary is just that, your anniversary and I think you should be by yourself.”

Lori left the room before David could see the tears welling up in her eyes. She knew David loved her, he showed it every day in so many ways. He was right, it was her anniversary, but she wanted him to share it with her. It hurt deep down inside when he said she should be alone. Since they had been together she never wanted to be alone. No one had ever treated her so well or made her feel so loved. She just wanted to share this day with him.

Lori calmed down, dried her eyes and reapplied her makeup. She walked into the family room and said to David, “Darling, please talk to me about how you feel. I know how much we love each other, I need to understand. You are the most important thing in my life and I want to feel everything you feel.”

“OK,” said David sternly. “I love you! I married you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. No one has ever made me feel the way that you do. You are all I ever wanted in a woman, you satisfy me in every way possible. Now do you understand how I feel about you?”

“Of course, Lori whispered. I feel the same about you. It’s what makes our relationship so special.”

“Well, when I think about your anniversary, the pictures it brings to mind aren’t pleasant. In fact, they cause me so much pain I can’t bear it. I see what you were. I see you as Larry, with a penis and balls, and it makes me wonder how I can love you so much. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I can’t help how I feel”