Expiration Date

When I wake up Meghan is already propped up on one elbow, beautiful eyes wide open, staring at me. I reach out and touch her face—her perfect, beautiful face. Even after two kids, even after twelve years of marriage, she’s as gorgeous as ever. I love the feeling of her soft skin beneath my fingertips.

I’m pretty hungover.

Hot waves of sunshine burst through our windows.

It’s a humid Sunday morning—the first day of summer. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and tell her I dreamed about something, and it was one of those annoying, busy dreams where you’re working so hard at something…but I can’t remember a thing about it. So frustrating.

Then the kids come screaming into the room and jump on our bed and my daughter pushes a stuffed animal in my face and says kissy! kissy! So I kiss the stuffed animal—a bunny. They’re loud. They’re not going to let us sleep. They’re also not going to allow us to fool around. They want one thing: us up.

They also have drawings in their hands, which puzzles me until I remember: it’s Father’s Day.

My dad’s coming over later. Meghan’s, too. I’m going to be on grill duty. I really should have more sleep if I’m going to be putting up with both sets of parents today…

But you know, whatever. I smile at my kids. They’re beautiful, just like their mother.

I go into the bathroom to wash my face. My head’s throbbing like crazy—Meghan and I had more than a few glasses of wine last night, and then we got friendly on the living room floor. I’m paying for it this morning, though. I open the medicine cabinet door.

There’s a bottle of Tylenol inside. I don’t recognize it. Bottle looks old, but I’m sure the pills inside are fine. Meghan wouldn’t buy out-of-date medicine. Probably just an old container.

I tap two into my palm.