Delgad

d, right next to Brandee's half-eaten c

apped in gold cellophane and wide burgundy ribbons. They were overflowing with imported Bel

he thick gold ribbon of th

dead in the eye. "I'll ship one to my parents fo

w, Elyse!" Julien's voi

d ripping the basket out of my hands with enough

g with anger. "I bought these specifically for Brandee's

ine hundred dollars for these five luxury baskets come from? You told me this mo

rstand high society. They appreciate quality imported goods. Your parents live in a rural suburb and spend their weeke

er manicured hands and putting on h

. "If it means that much to you, you can have one of my baskets. I can just tell

ay gifts just to appease her temper tantrum, Bra

the screen aggressively for a few seconds, a

y box for your parents. It has twenty items in it. It cost nineteen dollars and ninety-n

x filled with processed crackers, artificially flavored cheese sprea

rated in my pocket. It was a text

ain this year. Remember those clearance pecan bars he sent last Thanksgiving? Mom spent two days in urgent care with severe food poi

ed down on my chest, followed i

claimed was a curated organic nut sampler. He had sent them expired clea

e, staring at Julien's s

der, Julien,"

d your problem and bought them twenty

f any emotion. "Don't ever send a single p

. Brandee, you witnessed this. She refused the gift herself. Don't

ed, giving him an admiring, support

andee made her signature creamy garlic pasta in our kitchen. S

f pasta onto my plate. I took one bite. It tasted like salt and grease, co

one,"

linen napkin and looked at m

cleanup duty tonight," he commanded. "Wash all the pa

used four different stainless steel pans, three mixing bowls, and left open cont

I said

tle carried away when I cook. I would help you clean, but I just got my gel nail

e glared at me. "Elyse, this is a standard division of labor. Brandee has delicate hands and work

I asked Julien to spend money from our joint account to fix the broken dishwasher, he

up from

her own, made a giant mess, and ate dinner with you," I replied col

t sleep in our bedroom tonight!" Julien threatened,

't bac

nd shoved it directly into Julien

with three deep, bleeding fissures from the freezing rain and

e cutting through the room like a razor. "T