Five Years of Marriage, Just a Show

Summary

It was my thirtieth birthday party, and my husband’s voice called out from the kitchen.

“Babe, can you give me a hand with the soup?”

Before I could even stand up, my cousin Stella was already gliding past me. She reached around him from behind, her hands taking the heavy tureen from his.

Seeing my frozen expression, she quickly stammered an excuse.

“Sorry, my mom’s always ordering me around at home. It’s just instinct. Don’t overthink it.”

I didn’t let my emotions show. I smiled, I mingled, and I saw the last guest out, completing the performance of a perfect hostess.