Stuck on Repeat

Chapter 3: The Fight

Danny's POV

Ten more minutes before I'm out. I don't think anyone hates their job more than I do.
"Hey Dan, wanna grab some drinks later?"
I turn around and spot Adam, a coworker. Actually, one of my few coworkers that I actually like.

"Nah...I have to get home to the wife, you know." I say with a pained smile.

I wave goodbye as I start to grab my things. I'm not sure if I actually want to go home. I check my phone. I have two texts, both from Sarah. Instinctively, I ignore them and head out of the building.

After getting on the crowded subway, I check the time on my watch. 7:34 PM. As the train heads downtown, I end up thinking about yesterday; our session with Marie. Sigh...I love my wife. We've been through so much and I've done so much for her. But I don't know if she's worth it anymore.

When I reach my stop, I exit and head home. As I'm walking, I decide to give our marriage another chance. I need to try to make this work and prove my parents wrong. When I arrive at our front door, I plaster a smile on my face and prep myself before going in. Just be calm and patient. She's your beautiful wife. Remember that. I open the door.

Immediately, a rancid, burning smell hits me and my smile falls off of my face. I hear the fire alarm beeping so loudly, I cover my ears with both hands. In the kitchen, I can see blackened pan on the stove with smoke pouring out. I run in, only to see Sarah sitting in a chair in the corner, calmly drinking red wine while chaos ensues around her. Without thinking, I start screaming,

"WHAT THE FUCK SARAH???"

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Three Hours Earlier

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Sarah's POV

I spent most of the day, thinking about Danny and my time with Marie. I wanted to be the bigger person and try to fix things between us one last time. I started by making his favorite foods for dinner, pasta and baked chicken. I was planning a special night for the two of us.

After boiling the pasta, I set it aside before making the sauce. I throw the chicken into the oven and set the timer to 30 minutes. I head into the bedroom and change into something nice. It took me forever to decide on what to wear. Feeling scandalous, I threw on a sheer black slip-on dress I had been saving for a special occasion (I had even shaved my legs)

Just then, I get a phone call from my mother.

"Hey Mom, how are you?" I inquire, but instead of hearing her nagging about how I don't have a job or how I don't wear enough black, I hear her crying softly.

"M-mom? What's wrong? Are you okay??"

"Sarah...I'm so sorry. Grandma...she passed away this morning"

I just stood there, trying so hard to wake up from what seems to be a bad dream. I can't believe this is even happening. I will myself to cry but no matter how hard I try, tears refused to come out. I've never been able to cry, even as a baby. I don't know what to do. I'm mad and upset and scared but I can't even cry to let it out.

"Sarah?" I hear my mom calling me from the phone. "I'm sorry Mom, I have to go. I'll call you later" I say before hanging up the phone. I slump into a chair before pouring myself a glass of red wine. I feel so frustrated. My mind is blank. I feel so dizzy and shaken; so much so that I can't even hear the fire alarm going off.