Yesterday was my fifty-seventh birthday, and honestly, I felt good—better than I had in years. Fifty-seven meant confidence, clarity, and freedom. If only my husband, Mike, felt the same way about aging, things might’ve turned out differently.
Lately, he’d made my age his favorite running joke. Every chance he got, he’d say something like, “Don’t forget your dentures, Emma!” followed by that loud laugh of his that always sounded like a car trying to start. I’d brush it off, pretending it didn’t bother me, but the sting was always there, sharp and humiliating.
Still, I wanted my birthday to be special. I put on a new outfit—a flowy navy dress I’d been saving—did my hair, and decorated the house beautifully. I was in good spirits until I stepped into the living room and saw Mike staring at me like I’d grown a second head.
“You really think you can pull that off?” he asked, voice dripping with disbelief.
“I do,” I said, forcing a smile.
He shook his head and muttered, “Maybe we should get you checked for dementia. You’re clearly losing touch with reality.”
His words landed like a slap. I swallowed the hurt just as the doorbell rang. Karen—my best friend—burst through the door with flowers and a compliment that immediately lifted my spirits. As more guests arrived, the room filled with warmth and chatter. For a moment, I felt hopeful.
But Mike couldn’t help himself.
“Emma, should you be drinking wine this late? Isn’t it past your bedtime?” he announced loudly.
A few awkward chuckles rippled through the crowd, but most people looked uncomfortable. I laughed weakly and pretended it didn’t bother me. But each comment chipped away at me—when I reached for cake, when I swayed to music, when I laughed too loudly. He was relentless.
Finally, he pushed it too far.
“You’re too old to be acting like this,” he barked. “Too old to be attractive. Too old for me! Why don’t you just accept it?”
The room froze. My face burned with humiliation. Before I could gather myself, Karen stepped in front of me like a mama bear ready to strike.
“Oh, too old for you?” she said, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Funny, because you’re the one who can’t do anything in bed without your little blue pills.”
Gasps filled the room. Mike’s face went purple.
But Karen wasn’t finished.
“And since we’re being honest,” she continued, “maybe you should tell everyone how I know that. Mike cheated on Emma with my friend Linda.”
All heads turned toward Linda, standing pale in the corner. I felt the betrayal hit me like a punch to the gut.
