As their usual Sunday routine — Kristen and Gary spend their morning doing chores at home before heading to the grocery store to plan for the week. But when Gary gets a phone call from his friends, he bolts — leaving Kristen to fork up the $650 bill and find her own way home. Who is more important to Gary, and what can Kristen do to teach him a lesson?
For as long as I’ve been married to Gary, we have had a set Sunday routine. We wake up, have brunch and then hit the grocery store. It’s been this way for the past two years — it’s how the system runs smoothly.
Two plates of food on a table | Source: Unsplash
So, it’s a Sunday morning. I make us brunch while Gary sorts out the outside — mowing the lawn and so on.
“Are you ready?” Gary asked, as he came into the kitchen fresh from a shower.
“Yes,” I said. “Don’t forget to take the shopping bags.”
A lawn mower outside | Source: Unsplash
We get to the store, and my husband and I have a ball of a time. We walk the grocery store per aisle, making sure that we got everything we needed — and then some. We were both foodies, so cooking together was our love language.
Until Gary’s phone rang, and I saw a different side to my husband.
A shopping cart in a grocery store | Source: Unsplash
We were just about to start unloading our cart at the checkout when Gary’s phone erupted with a loud ring.
“Sorry, Kristen, but I’ve got to take this,” he muttered, stepping aside to answer. “You can start checking out, though.”
So I began to unload all of our groceries — the meat, the veggies, the fruit, not to mention the junk food and drinks that we had stocked up on, too.
Moments later, Gary returned, looking both agitated and excited.
A man using his phone | Source: Pexels
“Listen, I have to run,” he said, glancing at the groceries as the checkout guy went about scanning them.
“Where do you have to go?” I asked.
“The guys are waiting for me. We’re going to have some beers, barbecue, and watch the game together,” he said.
Gary put his hands in his pocket, and looked toward the exit.
A person holding beer with firewood in the background | Source: Pexels
I thought that he was waiting for us to finish at the grocery store, then drop me off at home before taking off to his friends.
“I’ll see you later,” he said.
“What? Now?” I asked, puzzled. “But we’re about to check out!”
“I know, I know,” he said hurriedly, swinging the car keys. “But I can’t miss this, Kristen! It’s a big deal, you know that the guys and I barely hang out.”
A man holding car keys | Source: Unsplash
“How am I supposed to get all of this sorted out and get home? You’re getting a cab?” I protested, my eyes darting between Gary and the growing line behind us.
“What? No! I’m taking the car. But I’ll call you a cab!”
He hastily began to place items on the conveyor belt.
“Okay,” he said. “I’ve got to dash!”
And with that, he was gone.
A man walking away | Source: Pexels
“Do you need help with these?” the checkout guy asked. “We have people to help with these things.”
I nodded. I couldn’t believe that Gary had actually left me at a grocery store, just to go and drink with his friends.
“That will be $650, ma’am.”
A cashier at check out | Source: Unsplash
Of course, Gary had left without leaving any cash behind. It wasn’t that I relied on him for money — it’s just that we usually did this type of thing together. And $650 wasn’t what I had expected our grocery trip to come to.
I paid and wheeled the heavy cart outside. I stood looking at the parking lot, hoping that by some miracle, Gary would still be there.
That he would be waiting for me.
An upset woman looking down | Source: Unsplash
That he would have finally realized that he was wrong to leave me for an insignificant moment with his friends.
I deserved better.
After a few minutes, a cab drove by. The driver got out and helped me pack all of our groceries into the trunk, and we took off for my home.
A yellow cab | Source: Unsplash
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got with Gary.
What on earth could have possessed him to leave me alone? I felt hurt and disrespected. I hated everything about the way I felt. My husband had never made me feel this way before.
I got home and unloaded all of the groceries. I was in a foul mood by then. So, I made a cup of tea and took it to my bubble bath. I needed to relax before thinking about how to get back at Gary.
A cat among grocery bags | Source: Unsplash
As I was sitting in my bath, sniffing the calming scent of lavender, I decided that I would cook myself a fancy dinner with all the ingredients I had bought.
“Two can play at this game,” I thought, shuffling around the house in my socks and pajamas.
I put on some music and I began to cook — I prepared an elaborate feast, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, couscous, and the works. All of our favorites.
A bubble bath with tea and a book | Source: Pexels
The kitchen smelled heavenly, and I was in the zone. While waiting for the oven, I set the table meticulously for one — my resolve hardening.
If there was one thing I knew about my husband — he would always check my social media, especially when he was away from me.
So, I took photos while I cooked, and posted them on my socials.
A woman cooking | Source: Pexels
My stories were always perfectly captured, and I usually shared my cooking online. Shortly after I posted every story, Gary would ‘like’ it — and every time he did that, I knew that my plan was working.
Sure enough, my husband would be with his friends — drinking and snacking and watching whatever game they said they were going to. But Gary wouldn’t eat there, not when he knew that I was cooking at home.
For good measure, I sent him a photo of my plate saying:
Dinner is fantastic tonight, wish you were here! xx
A person taking a photo of food | Source: Pexels
Later that night, Gary returned to a clean kitchen without leftovers. I was lounging comfortably with a glass of wine and a book — the evidence of my solo feast neatly packed away at the back of the fridge.
“Hey,” he began uncertainly, after he walked in and out of the pristine kitchen. “The house smells incredible. Did you save me some dinner?”
A glass of wine on a table | Source: Pexels
I shook my head, a slight smile playing on my lips.
“Actually, no,” I said. “But you missed a great meal. Everything was so fresh!”
Gary’s face fell as he glanced around to the dining table, as if hoping that there would be a plate of dinner for him.
“I didn’t have dinner,” he admitted.
“Oh? Why not?” I asked, crossing my legs.
A man sitting and covering his eyes | Source: Unsplash
“Because I saw your stories and I thought that there would be dinner for me, too,” he said.
I remained silent. My husband knew exactly what he had done wrong. I just needed him to admit it.
“Kristen,” he said. “I’m sorry I left you at the store like that. It was a last-minute thing with the guys and I didn’t know what else to do. I wanted to be with them, I guess. And I knew that you could handle it.”
Gary walked to the fridge and returned with a beer. He opened his mouth to start talking again.
I raised a hand, stopping him mid-excuse.
A cold beer bottle | Source: Unsplash
“Gary, when you choose your friends over me, it’s more than just leaving me to handle the bills or whatever. It’s way more than that. You left me behind so that you could drink beer. You made me feel second to a barbecue. Today, I wanted you to experience coming home expecting a warm meal and finding nothing.”
“You did this on purpose?” he asked, shocked.
“It’s not just about food,” I continued. “It’s about the people you prioritize.”
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Pexels
“I never looked at it that way,” he said. “I’m really sorry.”
Our conversation that night was long and honest — Gary needed to be reminded of the fact that we were a team and that we did everything together regarding our home. But it turns out that I also needed to be reminded that we could have our lives, too.
“Get out sometimes,” he said. “Go out with your friends, and leave me to take over the house. You’re allowed to escape the routine, too.”
A group of friends having a picnic together | Source: Pexels
When we went to bed that evening, I felt bad. I had never denied my husband food before, but there was a lesson to be learnt here.
Gary needed to know that he couldn’t leave me stranded in a grocery store without a car. Or without offering to help. Beer and barbecue did not qualify as an emergency.
“You’re right,” he said as he brushed his teeth. “I need to get my priorities straight.”
I’m not sure if Gary learned his lesson, but I do think that making him buttered toast and tea for dinner was a step in the right direction.
Buttered toast with jam | Source: Unsplash
Shannen Doherty, ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ and ‘Charmed’ Star, Dies at 53
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, Shannen Doherty, who was well-known for her performances on the immensely successful programs “Beverly Hills, 90210” and the witchcraft fantasy “Charmed,” passed away. 53 was her age.
Publicist Leslie Sloane issued a statement on behalf of actress Shannen Doherty, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress, Shannen Doherty.” After battling illness for many years, she lost her struggle on Saturday, July 13. With her dog, Bowie, at her side, the loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was surrounded by those she loved. In order for the family to grieve in peace, they kindly request privacy at this time.
In 1990, Doherty became well-known as the youthful brunette Brenda Walsh on the Fox sitcom “Beverly Hills, 90210.” The Walshes, who had recently moved from Minnesota to Beverly Hills with her twin brother Brandon (Jason Priestly), were the quintessential out-of-place family, always in awe of the antics of the L.A. rich kids.
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The storyline in the first season where Brenda contemplates losing her virginity caused controversy because of the romance between Brenda and Dylan, played by Luke Perry. It was also widely reported when Dylan and Jennie Garth’s character Kelly broke up, and the show was hailed for being the first to tackle sensitive subjects like racism and drug misuse.
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The program was a huge smash, and along with its popularity, the cast—including the teenage Doherty—came under intense scrutiny and rumors. Even though Kelly, played by Garth, was first seen as the less likeable character on the program, Brenda quickly gained popularity and became the cast member that everyone loved to despise. The media referred to her as a diva, and there was even a newsletter published before the internet called “I Hate Brenda.” Before departing the show at the conclusion of season four, Doherty made 111 appearances. There were rumors that she had issues with other cast members, especially Garth.
Everyone had matured by the time the program was revived twice more, and Doherty reappeared as Brenda in the 2008 revival of “90210” and the 2019 reincarnation of “BH90210.”
Following her turbulent exit from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Doherty established herself in the supernatural thriller “Charmed,” which centers on three sisters who come to terms with their supernatural identity and realize they must band together to battle evil.She costarred with Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs as Prue Halliwell, the eldest of the three sisters. She helmed three episodes of the show in 2000 and 2001: “Be Careful What You Witch For,” “The Good, The Bad, and The Cursed,” and “All Hell Breaks Loose,” which was her final appearance. When she departed the show at the conclusion of the third season, her role was eliminated.
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Doherty was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but she and her family relocated to Los Angeles when she was young. At the age of ten, she landed a role on the television show “Father Murphy.” At the age of eleven, Michael Landon cast her as Jenny Wilder in “Little House on the Prairie” after noticing her in the series.
After that, Doherty costarred with Wilfred Brimley in a recurrent role on the family series “Our House.”
She starred in several feature films, including the teen classic “Heathers,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Mallrats” directed by Kevin Smith, and “Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back.”
She made appearances in a number of TV movies in addition to “North Shore” and “Riverdale,” among other shows.
She produced the reality show “Breaking Up With Shannen Doherty” in 2006, in which she assisted individuals in dangerous relationships who wished to end their relationship but were unable to do so on their own. She then made an appearance in “Off the Map With Shannen and Holly,” another reality show.
Doherty was given a breast cancer diagnosis in February 2015, and she declared herself to be in remission in 2017. However, the cancer has spread and come back by 2019. She kept on working, landing parts in TV films such as “List of a Lifetime” and “Dying to Belong.” In addition, Doherty was the host of the well-liked podcast “Let’s Be Clear With Shannen Doherty,” where she openly talked about her experiences with breast cancer and her career.
She claimed to have been having radiation treatment in June 2023 for cancer that had progressed to her brain.
She temporarily wed poker player Rick Salomon and Ashley Hamilton, the son of George Hamilton. In 2011, she wed photographer Kurt Iswarienko. In 2023, they filed for divorce.
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