You would think that after six years of marriage, someone would learn to be grateful, but Todd doesn’t.
What about Todd? He walked into the living room with the beer cooler. That’s all.
Everyone was raving about the food and décor after dinner, so Todd felt it was time to claim all the credit.
He added, “I’m glad you all adore it.” “This year, I wanted it to be extra special.”
In a nutshell, that is Todd. He doesn’t have to do anything to get the credit. I came to the realization that he was no longer the man I had fell for.
Then his 35th birthday arrived. The last straw.
Todd gently shared his ideas with me while we were eating dinner.
He said, “This year, Claire, I want a big, fancy birthday dinner.” “Invite my friends, family, and everyone else.”
I arched an eyebrow. “You want me to organize it?”
“Yes,” he said. “You’re skilled at this. Please just make it respectable. I do not like to look foolish in front of everyone.
“Respectable?” I said it again.
“Yeah, but don’t do anything crazy. Be elegant.
I chose to give him another chance even though, to be honest, I didn’t want to agree. Even though he didn’t deserve it, I still wanted to make his birthday special because it was his birthday.
I spent the following two weeks organizing Todd’s “big, proper birthday dinner.” I would give him classy if that’s what he wanted.
I used to come home from work every day, tie my hair up, and start organizing, cleaning, and getting ready. To ensure that everyone would have a seat, I even asked our neighbor Janice for extra chairs and a folding table.
What did Todd contribute? Nothing at all.
On one evening, he kicked off his shoes and collapsed on the couch, saying, “I’m swamped at work.” But, darling, you’ve got this. You are proficient in these areas.
Capable of these things? I could have sobbed because I was so exhausted.
However, I grinned and replied, “Yeah, I’ve got this,” rather than yelling.
Finally, the big celebration day came.
Determining to make things flawless, I got up early.
The house was immaculate. I had handwritten small name cards and matched linens on the table. The cake was adorned with edible gold flakes, the main dishes were simmering, and the appetizers were cooling.
I did go that far, yes.
Around lunchtime, Todd entered the kitchen and began browsing through his phone as usual. He hardly even looked at the buffet I had prepared.
He closed the refrigerator door after saying, “Looks good.” He said, “But hey, uh, don’t bother finishing all this,” as if it were inconsequential.
“What do you mean?”
Instead, the guys and I are going to the bar to watch the game. Stop everything. Inform everyone that something has arisen.
“You’re forgoing dinner on your birthday?” I inquired. “I’ve been organizing this for weeks, Todd!”
He dismissed it, saying, “Claire, it’s not a big deal.” “Just give them a call and let them know we’re busy or something.” They will comprehend.
“Todd, you can’t do this!” I yelled, but he had already departed.
I was devastated. I had invested all of my money, time, and energy into this supper, and he simply left as if it had never happened.
Cancel everything? after I’d done so much work?
Above all else, though, I felt ashamed.
How could he be so cruel to me? How could he dismiss all of my efforts as inconsequential?
The candles mockingly flickered as I looked at the table.
Claire, is this how much you are worth? I questioned myself. Will you allow Todd to treat you like this? No. This is not possible.
I made the decision to keep the supper going at that time. I refuse to let him bring me down once more.
I would let Todd to act like a spoilt child if he so desired, but only after demonstrating to him what “embarrassing” actually meant. He didn’t know with whom he was playing.
I took out my phone and texted everyone in the group:
The celebration continues! Plans have changed. We can be met at the tavern on the main street close to our home. Don’t forget to bring your hunger!
I then started working.
I loaded the food into the car after packing it all. After that, I drove directly to the bar Todd had recommended.
The place was already humming with activity when I got there. I noticed Todd with his back to the door, seated at a table with his friends. He didn’t even realize I was there.
“Oh, ma’am? Am I able to assist you? When the bartender saw the food platters I was carrying, he questioned, his eyes bulging.
I gave him my most charming smile. “Oh, I’m only here to eat with some people who will enjoy it.”
I chose a table close to the bar so that Todd’s group could see me well, and I started unpacking dishes one by one. Everyone’s attention was immediately drawn to the food’s aroma. Nearby customers craned their heads to watch the action.
One man pointed to the feast I was preparing and asked, “What’s this about?”
I spoke loudly enough to be heard over the room. “Oh, my husband’s birthday meal was supposed to be this. However, he chose to come here instead of me, so I reasoned, “Why waste all this food?”
Laughter and whispers filled the room, and some even gave a clap. Todd eventually turned around and saw me at that point.
As his friends whispered to one another, he rushed over right away.
“Claire! Why on earth are you doing this? His eyes darted anxiously between me and the encroaching mob as he snarled.
I didn’t even give him a glance.
Rather, I spoke to the closest group of customers. Do you enjoy ham? Take care of yourself! Additionally, cake is on the way.
The front door opened as Todd spewed out another objection, and his sister, his cousins, his parents, and my parents entered.
They glanced at us, then at the food, and finally at everyone chowing down on what should have been a formal meal.
Bless her directness, Todd’s mother approached him directly. “What’s happening, Todd? Why is Claire serving meals in a bar when she asked to meet here for your birthday dinner?
Todd seems to want to vanish into the ground.
He whispered, “Oh, it’s complicated, Mom.”
“Oh, I wish I could explain!” I stepped in. “Todd insisted that I prepare a dinner, but he felt that watching the game with his pals was more essential. I therefore brought him the food.
His father gave a headshake. “How impolite,” he whispered.
My mother, in the meantime, picked up a platter and remarked, “Well, the food smells amazing.” Come on, let’s eat!
Our families soon joined the other diners and began to eat the meal that I had worked so hard to prepare.
What about Todd’s pals? They told him they would never forget this day while they continued to laugh at his expense.
The bar seemed like a full-fledged party by the time I pulled out the cake. I had put the following in bold icing letters on top of the cake:
Greetings on your birthday, my self-centered husband!
When I read it out loud, the bar burst out laughing, but Todd wasn’t thrilled.
“Claire, was this really necessary?” He whispered to himself.
I smiled pleasantly and cocked my head. “Definitely.”
After everyone had finished, I began packing the empty trays. The bartender stopped me at that point.
He remarked, “Ma’am, you are a legend.” “If you ever return, you’ll get free drinks.” Of course, without him!
I laughed. “Thank you! I will visit at some point.
Once the food was gone, the families left quickly. Todd’s mother told him he could have done better, but my dad nodded proudly as he walked away.
Todd continued to grumble about being “humiliated” as we drove home. He complained further once we returned.
“You embarrassed me in front of everyone, Claire!” he exclaimed, raising his hands in the air.
“No, Todd,” I retorted. “You made yourself seem bad. Just so you know, there won’t be another home-cooked supper anytime soon.
At that time, he realized he couldn’t dispute with me. He simply spun around and ran into the bedroom.
Two weeks have passed since that evening, and I can assure you that Todd has changed. Mostly, anyway. His exaggerated demands have decreased, and he has been extraordinarily courteous—almost as if he’s worried I’ll do something again.