“Why Are There Hot Dogs Instead of Burgers?” Nathan Asked Annoyed

Nathan sat at the kitchen table, his brow furrowed in frustration. “Why are there hot dogs instead of burgers?” he asked, his voice tinged with annoyance. Kaylee sighed, setting down the plate of hot dogs in front of him.

“Aaron and Lily aren’t here anymore, Nathan,” she said softly. “It’s just us now. We don’t need to make big meals like we used to.”

Nathan grumbled under his breath, but he didn’t argue further. He missed the days when their children were still at home, when the house was filled with laughter and noise. Now, it felt empty and quiet, and he didn’t know how to fill the void.

Kaylee sat down across from him, her own plate of hot dogs untouched. She missed their children too, but she had come to accept that this was their new reality. They had to find a way to move forward, even if it meant making smaller meals and finding new routines.

As they ate in silence, Nathan’s mind wandered back to the days when Aaron and Lily were still young. He remembered the family barbecues in the backyard, the smell of burgers and hot dogs grilling on the barbecue. Those were the days when everything felt right in the world.

But now, Aaron and Lily had their own families to take care of. They visited occasionally, but it wasn’t the same. Nathan felt a pang of loneliness as he thought about how much had changed.

After dinner, Nathan retreated to his workshop in the garage. It was his sanctuary, a place where he could lose himself in his projects and forget about the emptiness of the house. He picked up a piece of wood and began to carve, his hands moving automatically as his mind wandered.

Kaylee cleaned up the kitchen, her thoughts heavy with worry. She knew Nathan was struggling with their new reality, but she didn’t know how to help him. She missed their children too, but she had found solace in her hobbies and volunteer work. She wished Nathan could find something that brought him the same sense of fulfillment.

As the days turned into weeks, Nathan’s frustration grew. He snapped at Kaylee more often, his patience wearing thin. Kaylee tried to be understanding, but it was hard not to take his words personally.

One evening, after another argument about dinner, Nathan stormed out of the house. He drove aimlessly for hours, his mind racing with thoughts of what could have been. He didn’t know how to fix what was broken between him and Kaylee, but he knew he couldn’t keep going on like this.

When he finally returned home, Kaylee was waiting for him in the living room. She looked up as he walked in, her eyes filled with concern.

“Nathan, we need to talk,” she said softly.

Nathan nodded, sitting down next to her on the couch. They talked for hours, airing their grievances and fears. It was a difficult conversation, but it was necessary.

In the end, they both knew that things would never be the same as they once were. Their children had grown up and moved on, and they had to find a way to do the same. It wouldn’t be easy, but they were determined to try.

As they sat together in the quiet house, Nathan reached for Kaylee’s hand. They had a long road ahead of them, but they would face it together.