The Day the Shoulder Rubs Stopped

Summary

For ten whole years, my husband insisted on giving me a shoulder massage before bed.

He gave me a terrible habit: without a shoulder rub, I couldn't fall asleep.

Recently, however, he stopped.

When I asked him for a quick massage, he brushed me off. "Your shoulders are too thick and tense. I can't even press down. Stop making things difficult for me."

Our nine-year-old son laughed from the side. "Daddy's subtext is that you're too ugly now, Mom. He doesn't want to touch you."

My husband didn't correct him. Instead, he let out a stifled chuckle.