By Bill Diamond

While shopping at the supermarket for the holiday, Will tried to make a suggestion, “Perhaps we should get …”

“Shhh, quiet.” Kay cut him off and held her palm face out. She used the commanding tone that controlled her middle school classroom. Kay didn’t even look at her husband. Rather, she focused on the salads she was preparing to order from the deli counter.  

The dismissive gesture and tone made Will bristle. He knew it was her knee-jerk habit from teaching. But, they’d discussed it. Will had made clear the practice was disrespectful and inappropriate with a partner. Ingrained habits are hard to break.

It was one of many buried bombs in the volatile minefield their marriage had become. In recent years, they’d had frequent fights. Instead of resolving issues, the volcanic pair had retreated to their corners and suppressed the most explosive divisions. This hid serious relationship issues like sticks of dynamite just below the surface. Not unusual for any couple in an imperfect human relationship.

In most cases, they gingerly navigated through. But, it was a wearing march. Holiday events were meant to be special binding moments. For the couple, they had become chores.

Now, in the crowded supermarket, her offhand comment was a spark that lit a short fuse.

Through gritted teeth, Will said, “I’m going.” Quietly, and with unexpected pent-up venom, he added, “If you want a ride, come now, or take a taxi.” He left their near full shopping basket.

The steely ultimatum broke through Kay’s shopping stupor as much as her desultory gesture had his.

The small spark ignited all the raw dynamite and the explosion irreparably shredded their union. 

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Bill Diamond is a curious traveler and writer from Colorado where the Rocky Mountains are an inspiration and distraction. He writes for catharsis and to try and figure it all out.