Julia--News

Dinner is delicious as always. The kitchen staff makes the best dishes, and this roast beef is no exception, but I am not savoring each bite I slip between my lips. I am focused on the man next to me.

Braxton came home with a smile on his face for the first time in a while that didn’t look forced. He is always happy to see me, and I know when he smiles at me, it is genuine, and he means it. But tonight, something is different. Something has changed.

He tried to call me earlier in the day when I was working and didn’t hear the phone ringing, and then when I called him back, he was busy, so this is the first chance I’ve gotten to talk to him since this morning. I try to be patient as we eat because I know he likes to wait until after dinner to tell me important information, but I can hardly wait to find out what has him so joyful.

After we’ve eaten most of what is on our plates, I can’t help but say, “I’m sorry I missed your call today.”

“Me, too,” he says. “And then when you called bac