Working remotely means I miss out on those office Christmas parties where colleagues, fueled by holiday cheer and a bit too much alcohol, finally let loose. My husband, Travis, wasn’t so fortunate. Before he left for his work party, I jokingly scribbled a message on his chest.
Don’t judge me—Travis can’t hold his liquor well.
After five years of marriage, trust is second nature. It started as a playful moment when I grabbed a marker while he was getting ready. On his chest, I wrote, “This is my husband—touch him, and you’ll pay—M.”
“Micaela,” he laughed as he headed out the door, “I’m just having a few drinks. I’ll be back early.”
While he was out, I decorated the house, putting up the Christmas tree and adding lights. But when Travis stumbled back, clearly tipsy, I helped him to bed and noticed a new message written beneath mine.
“Keep the change,” it said.
I laughed it off at first. But as I settled in to watch Christmas movies, the words played on my mind.
The next day, I casually asked about the party. He said they started at the office, moved to a bar for karaoke, and ended up at a club. When I mentioned the note, he shrugged.
“Probably one of the guys messing around,” he said. “It was a wild night. You know how they get.”
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