I did very well at work last year. I made my company lots of money; I developed several innovative systems; I raised morale of my coworkers in spite of bad times. And so, for my efforts, I received a bonus of a few hundred dollars.
I was so proud of my accomplishment that I almost told you about it when I held you in my arms that day. Almost. Then the words unconsciously stuck in my throat until I realized their spoken consequences.
In the past, you would have bolstered my victory with encouraging words of your own. Now, I can only expect you to rail about how I should spend my hard-earned reward along the lines of your desires and not to my guidelines for our lives.
When this realization struck me, my little victory disappeared in a sad realization of how our relationship has changed. And so, tearfully, I have told you nothing. Perhaps that doesn't matter. We both know I'll end up spending on you and your bills any way.
