After work the next day, one of my car-loving coworkers asked if I wanted to hit the car show with him.

I was actually planning to go with him. We get along great and both love cars. But since I'd already promised Iris, I had to say sorry and turn him down.

I ended up waiting for Iris on the sidewalk outside my office.

Before I even thought to text her, Iris sent a message: [Albert, I'm on my way. Meet me downstairs at your office.]

I texted back: [Okay.]

So, I just stood there outside the office, watching the traffic.

The sun set, and it got dark. I was still there waiting.

Two hours passed, and Iris still hadn't shown up. It was a less than 20-minute drive from our home to my office.

I tried calling her, but she didn't answer. Texts went unanswered too.

At 9 p.m., I checked Iris' phone location and found her at the Night Hotel.

2

By then, the car show was long over.

Hungry and tired, I went to grab dinner around 10 p.m.

After eating, I caught a cab home, washed up, and went to bed.

I didn't bombard Iris with texts or calls to ask why she stood me up like I used to.

I wasn't even upset about her no-show.

Iris came home at 2 a.m., turning on every light in the place.

The door slammed and woke me up, but I just rolled over and ignored it.

It made me think of how I used to wait up like a simp, no matter how late she came home.

Even if I dozed off on the couch, I'd turn on the TV to stay awake.

Iris liked to drink a warm glass of milk before bed, which I always had ready.

But sometimes, if she was in a bad mood, she'd pour the milk down the sink, complaining, "Why drink this now? How will I sleep after all that milk?"

And all I could do was apologize and try to make her smile.

Looking back, I must have seemed pretty pathetic.

No wonder she used to blow up at me. But now, I was done playing that game.

Iris didn't head straight to bed after taking off her coat. She just stood by the bed, watching me.

She looked like she wanted to say something. I wasn't in the mood to talk.

Iris finally spoke, "Albert, sorry about today.

Gavin was drunk, and no one else could pick him up, so I..."

Her words broke the silence, tinged with guilt. But it just annoyed me.

"Yeah, got it. Let's sleep," I said.

My indifferent response seemed to catch Iris off guard. She stopped talking.

3

Next morning, I woke up to find Iris had made breakfast and was waiting for me.

She slid the toast towards me when she saw me.