An Imperfect Snowman

The snow was drifting slowly and silently to the ground. Beautiful white fluffy snow ideal for creating a snowman. There’s my weekend project, Dan thought. He knew he was in trouble, having forgotten his wedding anniversary two days ago. Why didn’t she say something on Wednesday or yesterday even? Flowers, he hoped, would be an ice breaker as it was going to be as bitter cold in the house as outside. Yellow roses are her favorite like her Thomas Kinkade “A Perfect Yellow Rose” painting which hung over the fireplace, now aglow with a warm, crackling fire. She was sitting in the living room when Dan placed the yellow roses in her lap. She looked at him and turned away, tears threatening to roll down her face. It looked to be a long night.Dan frowned and went into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee since it looked to be a long night. Sally was still sitting on the sofa. Why did he bring flowers? Did he honestly think that would smooth everything over? I married a jerk! Sally was only building her anger to the point of rage again. She got up to get a glass of wine to calm her nerves. Only enough wine for one glass, she frowned. It looked to be a long night. She put the flowers on the kitchen counter and reached for her favorite green tinted vase, filled it with water and plopped the roses in the vase. She left it sitting on the counter and returned to the sofa, wine in hand. Dan poured himself a cup of coffee and returned to stoke the fire. When he had sufficiently played with the fire, he tried to sit on the sofa hoping to start a conversation with his wife. Sally turned away. It looked to be a long night.Dan got up and played with the fire some more trying to figure out what to say to get himself out of hot water. He finally chose to ignore Sally for now and went outside. He started rolling snow for the bottom of his snowman. Sally looked out the window and smiled despite her still angry mood. She watched as Dan carefully created his snowman, a little lopsided but very cute. A carrot stolen from the fridge for his nose. Two rocks for eyes that he was now trying to place on the face and a scarf that he had attempted to knit last year under her instruction. It was a yarn disaster but perfect for the crooked snowman. Although not a perfect specimen of a snowman, Sally adored it because Dan always put so much love into everything. This snowman included and, she realized, the roses he had brought home. She now felt bad about snubbing Dan and thought it looks to be a long night letting him off the hook.Dan looked toward the house and Sally ducked behind the curtain but not fast enough. Dan had spotted her watching him. He decided to try and start a conversation with Sally where he would beg her to forgive his mind-numbing stupidness. Besides his gloves were now caked in snow and his fingers were frozen. On his way back to the house, Dan slipped in the snow and took a tumble on the driveway. He got up, feeling bruised and stupid. His injured arm was starting to ache. It looked to be a long night. He looked at the house to see if Sally was still watching. She had seen him fall and a large gasp escaped her lips. He can’t be hurt. I love him so she thought. He entered the kitchen, rubbing his arm that he had fallen on to find dinner being set on the table. Steak, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. Sally knew this was his favorite. Sally hugged him tightly and snuggled into his chest glad that he wasn’t badly injured. She reached up and kissed him letting him know everything was ok and she wanted to be close to him. He smiled at Sally. She smiled back and Dan knew he had been forgiven and, indeed, it looked to be a long night.