Toxicity Masquerading as “Love”

What if old married couples have toxicity and not love?

“Just don’t tell that story again — no one wants to hear it!” — she said.

He instantly shut up, seeming uncomfortable and embarrassed but maintaining polite kindness towards her before exiting the room quickly.

A few moments later, he strolled in cheerfully and placed an ice-cold ginger ale next to her. Her favorite, I might add.

“Here you go, my love.” — he said.

She sighed in an annoyed tone and got a stony, almost hateful look in her eye as her body tensed slightly. She looked around our small group, seemingly trying to gather support for her annoyance.

“Do you have to interrupt me, Edward?!” she almost hissed out.

He looked dejected but not surprised — which surprised me. This indicates that it’s not the first time he has been on the receiving end of this almost-too-personal rejection.

I avoid eye contact with both of them, feeling too awkward to acknowledge the ill-treatment of Edward or his utter inner dejection.

She prattles on about some seemingly uninteresting story of a bird (and I must tell you that she included all manner of intricate details as she is an avid bird watcher). The bird had jumped onto the birdbath and…