As the sun began to set, Peter was bursting with excitement. Today was their anniversary. Mary's voice ticked in his head,

“Take the night off, tonight's OUR special night.”

The clock in the car glowed a bright 6:45PM. It only took five minutes for his Mercedes to bring him home. Already he was enveloped by the aroma of his wife's cooking. Roast Beef; Cooked to perfection. Peter gracefully opened the door to see Mary quickly trying to start up the potatoes while the roast cooled down smoothly. “Hey honey, I just thought I would make dinner for our anniversary. Mary beamed. “I’m happy you left work early tonight.” Mary slyly walked over to Parker and shoved a bright red box into his chest. He looked down, and couldn’t hide the smile on his face running from ear to ear. The box read ‘Twister’ in its big bright letters.

“This is a toy for children,” Peter started. “Why did you thin-

“Don’t even try it, you know you wanna play.” Mary teased. “It’s our anniversary, honey, why not do something for you?”

Mary's blue lipstick brightened more than usual.

“How could I say no to that face?”

*******************************

“Business is booming! Peter beamed. He sifted through the paperwork until he got to a stack of paychecks.

“Remarkable!” Peter approved.

“Honey, have you even looked at the time?” Mary sighed.

“Hmmm.” Peter thought aloud. It had truly been some time since he even glanced at the clock.

“It’s only 7:15, what’s the problem?” Peter questioned.

“Do you not remember? After all the notes I left on your desk? I even asked your secretary to pass on the message!” Mary yelled, “I hope those paychecks are worth it.” The click on the phone somehow tripped Peters memory. After lifting up a couple of folders, there were two bright red sticky notes on the desk with Marys handwriting which read:

Hey, I know that you’re going to have work thisweek, but please do not miss our anniversary. It would be the third out of four times. I even have a surprise for you, so please get home by 7:00PM. See you then, Love, Mary.

Peter grabbed his jacket and began to rush out the door, before he was stopped. “Be careful out there Peter, it’s supposed to rain tonight.” he turned his head to see Lucy, his secretary look at him above her glasses. He put down his coat and walked over to her, slowly inching towards her face.  A smile formed on his face as he noticed that her red lipstick seemed brighter than usual.

****************************

8:00PM

“Well….. That was actually fun…” Peter choked. They both sat, covered in sweat and out of breath from the childrens game.

A smile crept onto Peters face, “I love you. When was the last time I told you that?” He asked. “Too long,” Mary replied.

She got up and went upstairs calling “I’m going to take a shower, be back in twenty minutes!”. Exhausted, Peter got up and journeyed to the kitchen to check the time on the oven. It read 8:00.

“Two hours left….” Mine as well do the dishes while she’s in the shower. Then I can give her the surprise. After the last of the dishes were complete, Peter heard the water stop running above him. Perfect.

It only took a swift twenty minutes before Mary had changed, done her hair, and called out “I’ll be down in five!” A quick glance at the clock told Peter that it was 9:00. Suddenly, like clockwork his boss’s number lit up his phone. As Mary began her way down the stairs, Peter softly hit ignore.

   ************************

8:00PM  

“That…. was fun…” Lucy choked out. She picked up her glasses and made her way out the door.

We should do this again sometime.” Peter glanced at the clock and to his dismay it showed a grim 9:15PM.

“See you tomorrow Peter!” Lucy called as she walked out the door. Slowly, Peter got up and went back to the office bathroom to wash up and collect himself. Congrats, Petey, you’ve made the biggest mistake of your life. But, maybe you can lie your way out of it? Yeah, it was a one-time thing, never to happen again, as long as I don’t say anything, this night won’t mean anything. After one last splash to his face, Peter opened the door, and walked to get his coat. His phone began to ring, and his reflexes hit the answer button before he realized it was his wife.

“Where are you right now? I thought you said you were on your way…. Maybe we need to have a tal-” Mary began.

“Why do you always question me?” Peter screamed.

“.... Peter, I know what you do…. I'm going to ask you a question. .. please don't lie to me….. what were you doing?” Hesitantly, Peter hit End Call. Sighing, he sat down in his chair and to his horror, a text message appeared on his phone

       Mary

I'm on my way

Peter glanced at the clock and groaned. It read 10:00PM.

                                                     ********************

9:58PM

 On his way out the door he took hold of his jacket and threw it on. 30, 35, 40 MPH. He relaxed his foot on the pedal, he wouldn't be late, not again. There was certain tension in the air, as if the very fabric of time and space had been ripped in his pursuit for redemption. 9:58PM. Finally, he had reached his destination. Slowly, he got out of his car and grasped the ring and placed it in his pocket, and began his walk to Mary.. I got this, I can't mess up, again. I need to be there for her. “I love you, always have and always will.” 10:00PM. It’s always this day at these times over and over that replay in his mind. Peter knelt down on one knee, and took the ring out of his pocket. “I'm glad we could finally have this dinner again.” Peter whispered. Peter collapsed, sobbing onto Mary’s cold granite gravestone wishing he could fall into her arms one last time.