On Valentine’s Day, a guy yelled at his wife for being a bad cleaner and tossed away her present. He regretted his actions when a stranger arrived at their doorway later that day.
Grace Turner was pleasantly surprised by her morning bubble of bliss. She was sitting in the living room ticking off her evening to-do list, blushing and wondering how Owen would react to her Valentine’s Day surprise.
Grace met Owen during a Texas work conference. Both orphans reared in foster care wanted a big, happy family.
Luckily, they married after a few dates and had triplets two years later.
After Grace took over child care and Owen became the family earner, things became heated.
Owen struggled to maintain a family of five, causing stress and guilt about not spending enough time with them. He hardly slept on weekends and couldn’t save enough money by month’s end.
Thus, they hadn’t traveled or eaten at a fine restaurant in years, even on exceptional occasions. Grace knew Owen wanted to save every cent, so she spent their little money wisely.
Her Valentine’s Day outfit was an old red dress Owen gave her for their first wedding anniversary. It was old, but she loved it and saved money, so she wore it for the event.
When she realized Owen was soon to arrive, she quickly set the table for two with his favorite red velvet cheesecake, which she had carefully baked in a heart shape, a bottle of wine, a few other dishes, and a gift box, which she was most excited about.
“Perfect!” she thought as she lit fairy lights and put aromatic candles around the area. Owen answered the doorbell 30 minutes later.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!” she kissed his cheek and led him inside.
Owen was amazed by the food-laden dinner table, candlelight, and rose petals from the doorway to the table. Grace, what have you done? A flash of indignation made him cry out, “Are we silly teenagers?”
Owen turned on all the lights and scowled at Grace, destroying her grin. “Honey! What’s wrong? Something bothering you? Whatever happened at work?
Fury impairs rationality. He said, “Are you serious?” “Is this why I work hard? So you can spend money on crap?
“Oh, Owen! Relax! I wasn’t reckless! Though the ingredients cost extra, it wasn’t much,” she murmured softly as she led him to the table. “Sit and tell me how you like the food?”
Owen was furious. Indeed, he was furious. He ate the Aglio e Olio and spit it on the table. “Why is this spaghetti wrong? He cried, waking the triplets, who were sleeping in their chamber, “Why does the sauce taste so bad?”
“Owen!” Grace shouted. “What’s wrong? The infants… I put them to sleep 30 minutes ago, and you woke them up!”
“So? Is that my fault? Grace, I work all day while you watch the kids! And this?” He snapped when picking up the present package. “A gift?” He flung it on the floor and stared at her. “That wouldn’t impress me as a kid, okay? Have you seen the kitchen? Why are the dishes stacked high? Let me explain. Since you were too occupied with this foolishness to clean the home!
“You’re impossible, Owen! I can’t believe you’re the guy I loved and married! Can’t you? Please leave…” Walking to the kids’ room, she murmured. Owen became increasingly agitated as the wailing persisted.
Why are the kids still talking? Are you the ideal wife and mother? Grace, do something right!” he shouted from the living room.
Grace walked out in anger after hearing his insults. The kids are sobbing because I need to change their diapers, but we don’t have any! So be calm and observe them till I return. The shop is distant, so it’ll take time!” she cried as she left the home and slammed the door.
“Yeah! You consider yourself a homemaker, living at home… Owen grumbled as he proceeded to the kids’ room, ridiculing Grace for struggling at home.
Nearly an hour passed. Grace left without answering the kids’ cries. “What’s wrong with you, Grace?” he muttered as he grabbed his phone in the living room to contact her. “I can’t believe you’re taking so long to buy diapers!”
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Here you are! Grace, how long does it take to…? He started but stopped as a policeman appeared on the porch. Does Grace Turner reside here?
“Yes?”
“You, her husband?” The officer spoke with a clean throat.
Owen nods.
Unfortunately, your wife perished in a vehicle accident. You must join us to identify the corpse. Her driver’s license had her address.”
Owen paled from astonishment. The officer saw the candlelit table within. He regretted giving such bad news, but he had no option.
Owen, still shaking, requested his next-door neighbor, Mrs. Walker, to babysit the triplets while he was gone. He was shocked to see Grace’s pale, dead corpse at the morgue. He cried over screaming at her and retired home after the funeral the following day. He wanted no thoughts or actions.
When he gazed at Grace’s table, he remembered the previous evening. He suddenly recalled Grace’s present. “I didn’t even open the gift.” He discovered it on the floor after searching the room.
He opened the present with shaking hands and discovered a letter with two California airline tickets. He dried his eyes before reading the letter.
To Owen, my life partner,
Happy Valentine’s Day, honey! Who obtained a job this month? You were exhausted from working alone, so I applied to a couple places and received the news yesterday afternoon that I was employed!
So I can work knowing our kids are safe, I asked Mrs. Walker to watch the infants. There’s more! You see those tickets? This is for our two-person California trip! I have more ideas, but you’ll find out later.
Owen cried like a kid after reading the message. There was nothing he could do. Grace was gone, and he would endure it forever. Sadly, that occurred.
Owen never loved again after that day. Just to raise his kids decently, he worked hard. His Valentine’s Day routine now involves visiting Grace’s grave and chatting to her about everything on his thoughts, wishing he could have begged for her forgiveness.
