Short Stories

The Annivesary that wasn't

Cast : Catherine Zeat Jones - - > Nicole Mastersson

: Leonardo Dicaprio - - - - > Steve Mastersson

Nicole Mastersson woke up that morning looking forward to the promises the day held. Today was her five year anniversary to Steve, her high school sweet heart. It took ten years for him to finally propose to her, through no fault of her own. Steve was not the marriage kind, or so he kept telling her. Steve had very traditional views. He liked Nicole to stay at home while he went out to work, however he never wanted to be tied down in a marriage.

Noticing that Steve was not beside her she looked around the room, still groggy for she had not fully woken up. What she saw she did not expect. Steve was tying his tie while wearing a business suit.

"Steve you do realise that we are staying in for dinner. You do not have to decide on an outfit for dinner"

"This is not for dinner. I'm going into work" He remarked bluntly.

"It's a Saturday and it's our anniversary" Nicole said astonished.

"It's an important client. I need to go".

"Fine, go I'll just stay here on OUR anniversary, cooking OUR food, for OUR dinner" Nicole snapped.

Kissing Nicole on the forehead then turning to leave Steve adds "That's the spirit darling. I'll be here around five o'clock so have dinner ready for then"

As soon as Steve closed the bedroom door Nicole through the lamp at it where it shattered on the floor. And then punched the pillow where Steve's head usually is when he sleeps.

Later that day Nicole is hard at work in the kitchen. Her hair is tied back in a tight bun and she had a red flowery apron on. She looked like the perfect picture for a 1930's housewife. Not that she liked this look, she would have been happy to get covered in flour as she cooks the blueberry pie. However if Steve was to come home and see her like that he would hit the roof. Nicole could almost hear him saying "Women belong in the kitchen, and they should stay clean"

Nicole had already fully prepared their anniversary turkey roast which was currently in the oven on a slow cooked. She was now preparing dessert. Dessert was Steve's favourite part of the meal so extra care must always be taken when making it. Steve usually ate dessert first, this was because he thought it was the best part of the meal and if he was to dies while eating his main he would miss it. Therefore his logic was to eat dessert first. Nicole, however was adamant that dessert would be saved till last.

Glancing at the clock Nicole noticed that she only has about half an hour till Steve gets home. She puts the finishing touches on the pie and covers it with tea-towel ready to go in the oven when dinner is served. She then opens the oven to make sure the roast is okay before heading upstairs to change and do her hair.

Considering that this is a special occasion Nicole took extra time on her hair. She straightened it so that there was not a wave or curl in sight, only to remember that Steve hates straight hair. Nicole started again but curled it this time. Pleased that her hair was looking excellent and that Steve would approve, Nicole selected a deep blue cocktail dress from the wardrobe. Although she had told Steve there was no need to dress up he would expect her to.

Three hours and a glass of wine later and its eight o'clock and Steve has not yet got home. She had called a number of times and left a voicemail and yet she had no reply. Why should he reply? Nicole is only his wife. The wife who cooks for him, clean for him, looks after him and the wife who has spent her entire day preparing a mean for their anniversary. It's another twenty minutes before Steve finally walk in the front door. He puts is hat and coat in the porch and goes to find Nicole in at the dining room table so elegantly laid out. The Table is decorated with White china plates and candles.

"Hey Nikki, Sorry I'm late I got caught up in a meeting, is dinner nearly ready?"

"Yes. Dinner was ready and cooked about three hours ago. Its now over cooked, and looks like charcoal" Nicole commented harshly

"I'm sorry, I did not think that it would take so long i would have called if i had known"

"I CALLED ! And I have had no answer. Your right wrong you should not have called me because you should not have gone into work at all!" Nicole said with malice in her voice.

"I'm sorry can we just try to salvage the rest of this evening"

"That's your answer to everything isn't it? Apologise then expect everything to be perfect. News flash life's not perfect"

"Nicole would you just shut up. You should be happy with what you have. You have a roof over your head and money to spend. And a husband who..." Steve faltered here.

"A husband who what? Treats his wife like a convenience" Nicole said the last word with Venom.

Moving towards her and lifting her chin up to face him Steve sweetly said "That's not true. I love you Nicole, and I always will. Let's just forget about this. Were Stronger than that".

Nicole looks up at the man who she had once loved but had become to resent in the last few months. Flashing Steve a most flattering smile "I'll go get the Blueberry Pie shall I dear"

"That sounds perfect"

Nicole returns a few minutes later with two slices of Blueberry Pie and a tub of sugar because Nicole knows that Steve always put extra sugar on top of his pie.

"I was kind of surprised how quickly you ended that argument you started over nothing"

"That's because I was out of order" Nicole said through gritted teeth as Steve adds some more sugar to his pie.

"I'm glad don't let it happen again" He then adds "This pie has a different taste than usual. Did you add something different to it?".

"Yes" one simple word that carries so much weight as Steve realises what the different ingredient it. However it's too late.

Steve begins to slump low in his chair fighting to stay in control of his body that is shutting down on him. "W-why?"

" Because you have ruined my life long enough". And with that Nicole picks up her bowl and head back in to the kitchen where she puts the lid back on the white powder that is highly dangerous, death causing poison.