“Everything okay?” I asked as we sat down.
Fiona glanced up, startled. “Oh, yeah. Just checking something quick.”
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. This was supposed to be our special night, but she seemed a million miles away.
The waiter appeared with menus. “Can I interest you in our anniversary special? A bottle of champagne to start?”
“That sounds perfect,” I said, smiling at Fiona. “What do you think, honey?”
She was staring at her phone again. “Hm? Oh, sure. Whatever you want.”
I sighed and ordered the champagne. As the waiter walked away, I reached across the table and gently touched Fiona’s hand.
“Hey, can we maybe put the phones away? It’s our anniversary.”
Fiona looked guilty. “You’re right, I’m sorry. It’s just this new video series I found —”
I tried to keep the irritation out of my voice. “Another prank channel?”
“They’re hilarious, Aidan! You should see some of these —”
I tuned out as she launched into a description of the latest viral prank. My mind wandered back to the past few weeks, and I felt my stomach tighten.
It had started innocently enough, Fiona showing me funny videos on her phone, and both of us laughing. But then she’d started trying to recreate them at home.
There was the time she jumped out from behind the shower curtain, nearly giving me a heart attack. The fake spider in Nora’s lunchbox that made our daughter cry. The “broken” glass prank that left Callum afraid to touch anything in the kitchen for days.
Each time, Fiona would laugh it off. “It’s just a joke!” she’d say. “Don’t be so serious!”
But I’d seen the fear in our kids’ eyes, felt the constant tension in my own shoulders. It wasn’t funny anymore. It was exhausting.
I snapped back to the present as the waiter returned with our champagne. Fiona was still talking, gesturing animatedly about some YouTuber’s latest stunt.
Fiona stood up abruptly. “I need to use the restroom. Be right back.”
I watched her walk away, a sense of unease growing in my stomach. Something felt off.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind me. I turned to see Fiona stumbling between tables, clutching her throat.
“I can’t breathe!” she gasped, falling to her knees. “Help me!”
The restaurant erupted in chaos. People rushed to her side, calling for help. I sat frozen, unable to process what was happening.
Then Fiona started laughing. “Just kidding!” she announced, getting to her feet. “It was a prank!”
The silence that followed was deafening. I felt the eyes of every patron boring into me. Fiona grinned, oblivious to the horror on everyone’s faces.
“Ma’am, that was extremely inappropriate,” the manager said, approaching our table. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
I stood up, grabbing my coat. “I’m leaving,” I said, my voice tight with anger. “Without my wife. You can get an Uber home on your own,” I informed her.
Fiona’s smile faltered. “Aw, come on. It was just a joke!”
I didn’t even respond. I couldn’t even look at her. I rushed out to the car and made off before she had time to respond — besides, she needed to settle the bill anyway.
As soon as I got home, I headed for the kids’ rooms. “Pack a bag,” I told Nora and Callum. “We’re going to Uncle Declan’s for a bit.”
An hour later, I was knocking on my brother’s door, two sleepy kids in tow. Declan took one look at my face and ushered us inside without a word.
“Guest room’s all yours,” he said, helping me with the bags. “Want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “Not tonight. Thanks, bro.”
My phone buzzed incessantly with messages from Fiona. I ignored them all and tried to sleep.
The next morning, I woke to find 37 missed calls and twice as many texts. I scrolled through them, my anger reigniting.
“You’re overreacting.”
“It was just a joke!”
“How could you embarrass me like that?”
“You owe me an apology.”
I tossed the phone aside, disgusted. How could she not see how wrong she was?
As if on cue, my phone rang again. This time, it was Greta, Fiona’s mom. I hesitated before answering.
“Aidan! What’s this I hear about you abandoning my daughter at a restaurant?” Greta’s voice was shrill with indignation.
I took a deep breath. “Hi, Greta. It’s not what you think.”
“Oh? Then explain it to me, young man. Because from where I’m standing, you left your wife alone on your anniversary. That’s pretty low.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Fiona pulled a prank, Greta. A bad one. She pretended to choke in the middle of a crowded restaurant.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “She did what?”
I recounted the events of the previous night, including Fiona’s recent obsession with pranks and how it was affecting our family.
When I finished, Greta was quiet for a long moment. Then she sighed heavily. “Oh, Aidan. I had no idea it had gotten this bad.”
“Yeah, well. Now you know.”
“I… I don’t know what to say. If things are really this bad, I… I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted a divorce.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Divorce? Is that where we were headed?
“I don’t know, Greta,” I said honestly. “I just need some time to think.”
After we hung up, I sat on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands. Was this really the end of our marriage?
I spent the day in a daze, mechanically going through the motions of caring for the kids. By evening, I’d made a decision.
I called Fiona. “Meet me at the restaurant tomorrow at 7 p.m. We need to talk.
She agreed immediately, sounding relieved. I hung up before she could say more.
The next night, I arrived at the restaurant early. My palms were sweaty as I clutched the envelope containing the divorce papers I’d had drawn up that afternoon.
Fiona walked in, looking smaller and more vulnerable than I’d ever seen her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her hair disheveled.
“Hi,” she said softly, as she took a seat alongside me.
“Hi,” I replied, my throat tight.
We sat in awkward silence for a moment. Then Fiona burst out, “Aidan, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you or the kids. I just got carried away with the pranks and —”
I held up a hand to stop her. Without a word, I slid the envelope across the table.
Fiona’s hands shook as she opened it. Her eyes widened as she realized what she was looking at.
“No,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Please, Aidan, no. We can work this out. I’ll stop the pranks, I promise. Please don’t leave me.”
I let her cry for a moment, my own eyes stinging. Then I took a deep breath.
“It’s a prank,” I said quietly.
Fiona’s head snapped up. “What?”
“The divorce papers. They’re not real. It’s a prank.”
Her mouth opened and closed, no sound coming out. I leaned forward, my voice intense.
“This is what it feels like, Fiona. This is how your pranks make us feel. Scared, hurt, betrayed. Is this what you want for our family?”
Fiona’s face crumpled. “No,” she sobbed. “God, no. I’m so sorry, Aidan. I never realized…”
I reached across the table and took her hand. “I love you, Fiona. But this has to stop. No more pranks. Ever. Can you promise me that?”
She nodded vigorously, squeezing my hand. “I promise. No more pranks. I’ll delete all those stupid videos. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
I exhaled slowly, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. “Okay,” I said. “Then let’s go home.”
As we stood to leave, Fiona hesitated. “Aidan? Thank you for not giving up on us.”
I pulled her into a hug, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. “We’re in this together,” I murmured. “For better or worse, remember?”
She laughed softly, a sound I realized I’d missed. “I remember. Let’s aim for ‘better’ from now on, okay?”
I nodded, feeling cautiously optimistic for the first time in weeks. As we walked out of the restaurant hand in hand, I knew we had a long way to go. But at least now, we were on the same page.
And there wasn’t a prank in sight.
What would you have done?
Parsley: The Secret Ingredient for Restoring Vision Naturally
Did you know that parsley, commonly seen as a garnish, is actually a powerful herb that can greatly enhance your eye health and even help restore your vision naturally? This nutrient-rich herb is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can nourish your eyes and potentially improve your vision. In this article, we will explore why parsley is good for your vision and how to make a simple and effective parsley drink that can support your eye health.
Why Parsley Is Good for Vision
Parsley contains high levels of vitamins and nutrients that are essential for maintaining healthy vision. Here are a few key nutrients found in parsley that contribute to improved eye health:
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is known for its role in supporting eye health. It helps prevent night blindness and maintains a clear cornea.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin: These powerful antioxidants protect the eyes from harmful blue light and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Vitamin C: Parsley is rich in vitamin C, which protects the eyes from oxidative stress and boosts overall eye health by maintaining the strength of blood vessels in the eyes.
Beta-Carotene: As an antioxidant, beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body. It further supports eye function and protects against degeneration.
How to Make an Effective Parsley Drink for Vision
Now that we understand why parsley is beneficial for the eyes, let’s learn how to make a refreshing parsley drink that is loaded with eye-boosting nutrients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 medium carrot (rich in beta-carotene)
- 1/2 cucumber (hydrating and supports overall health)
- 1 lemon (for vitamin C and detoxifying properties)
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 cup water (or more, as needed)
Instructions:
- Prepare the ingredients: Wash and chop the fresh parsley, carrot, and cucumber into small pieces.
- Blend the ingredients: Place the parsley, carrot, cucumber, and lemon juice into a blender. Add 1/2 cup of water to help blend the ingredients smoothly.
- Blend until smooth: Blend everything until you achieve a smooth, juice-like consistency. You can add more water if needed for a thinner texture.
- Optional sweetener: If you prefer a sweeter taste, add 1 teaspoon of honey and blend again.
- Strain and serve: Pour the drink through a strainer if you prefer a smoother consistency, or enjoy it as is for extra fiber.
- Enjoy: Drink this parsley concoction in the morning or before meals to maximize its benefits for your eyes.
Health Benefits of the Parsley Vision Drink
The parsley drink we just made has numerous health benefits for your eyes. Here are a few ways it can improve your eye health and overall well-being:
Improves Eye Health: The high levels of vitamin A, lutein, and beta-carotene in parsley and carrot work together to protect your eyes from oxidative damage, support healthy vision, and reduce the risk of conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Reduces Eye Strain: Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of parsley, this drink can help reduce eye strain caused by prolonged screen time or exposure to harsh lighting.
Boosts Immunity and Eye Protection: Vitamin C from parsley and lemon helps protect your eyes by strengthening the blood vessels, ensuring that your eyes receive adequate nutrients and oxygen.
Detoxifies the Eyes: Parsley has natural detoxifying properties that help cleanse the liver. Since liver health is connected to eye health, keeping your liver clean ensures that your eyes get the nutrients they need.
How Often to Drink It
For optimal results, try drinking this parsley-based juice once a day. Consistent use over a few weeks can start showing improvements in your eye health, and you may notice better clarity and reduced strain.
Additional Tips for Eye Health
In addition to consuming the parsley drink, here are a few more tips to maintain healthy eyes:
Limit screen time: Take breaks from screens to reduce digital eye strain.
Stay hydrated: Proper hydration keeps your eyes lubricated and reduces dryness.
Eat a balanced diet: Include other eye-healthy foods such as leafy greens, berries, and nuts to complement this parsley drink.
Conclusion
In conclusion, parsley is a fantastic herb that can naturally boost your eye health and potentially restore your vision. By incorporating this simple parsley drink into your daily routine, you can protect your eyes, reduce strain, and improve your overall vision. Give it a try, and you’ll be amazed at the results!
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