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I hold my hands up in defeat. “But how many people plan a surprise anniversary party?”

“Regardless, those are the things you have to remember,” she tells me.

I hear Ruby’s voice as she continues to go on about her feelings on my marriage, but I start to tune her out as my gaze drifts to a couple in a small intimate booth across the room. The man’s body is leaning into his date as she tells him something. Maybe she’s discussing her day with him, maybe she’s ranting about a nasty coworker, but whatever she may be saying, he seems to be hanging on her every word. He reaches out and takes her hand in his, bringing it to his lips. The action has her blushing, dropping her head as a smile spreads across her face.

“Hello, earth to Whitney.” Ruby snaps her fingers in front of my face.

Blinking my eyes, I look at her. “Sorry.”

“Dang girl, are you drunk or something?”

“What? No, I’m not drunk.” My gaze flicks back to the couple. My chest tightens because I miss what those people have. I miss getting a reaction out of Heath. I miss so much from my marriage. “I was watching that couple over there.” I slyly signal with my head. “That right there is what I’m talking about. Look at him—he’s totally captivated by what she’s telling him. He can’t seem to get enough. If I’m being totally honest with you, Heath’s lack of enthusiasm hurts.”

Ruby flicks her hand towards the couple. “Who? Those two over there? The young couple? Please, I’m sure they haven’t thought past how good their sex is going to be once they get out of this joint. I’m sure he’s only looking that interested because he knows if he does, he’ll get laid. You and Heath are so past those days.”

“Har-har. You need your own station on Comedy Central.” I take a breath, trying to make sure I don’t sound too put out by the thoughts that have been plaguing me. “Does Steve pay attention while you’re talking to him?”

“Bitch, please. That man knows he’s to give me one hundred percent of his attention when my mouth is moving, or his ass is on the couch with the dogs, and my babies do not like to share the furniture.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen any interest on Heath’s face when I’m talking to him. He doesn’t usually give me any verbalization that he’s even heard what I’ve been talking about, and his face goes blank. It’s like he zones out. It kind of reminds me of when Charlie was younger, and I’d yell at him.”

“You mean the ‘my body is here, but I’m not really listening to you’ face? That used to bug that crap out of me when he was little.”

“That’s exactly it.”

“Like father like son?” My face is void of amusement, and she knows it. “Look, I’m sorry. I know you’re going through a shit ton of crap right now and I don’t always need to make fun of it. But here’s the bottom line, babe, you need to figure it out. You need to dig deep and ask yourself some very personal questions that only you have the answers for. Is Heath the problem? You mentioned falling out of love, but do you think you’ve fallen out of love with your husband or do you think he’s done the falling out of love? Either way, Whitney, you need to figure it out.” She reaches over and gives my hand a quick squeeze.

“You know I love you, but it’s not that simple.” I pull my hand back. “I have the kids to think about.”

“The kids? You don’t think those kids of yours want you to be happy? How about you ask your kids that question. I bet they’ll shock the shit out of you by their answers.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Honey, it means that those kids have been talking to me for years. Don’t act so surprised. They want their parents to be happy, and that’s the bottom line. You and Heath have raised three smart kids– one of which is off doing his thing protecting our country, but you need to realize that they are getting older. They might be able to shed some light on things you’re denying. This has been a long time coming, sweetie. You and I both know it.”

Ruby has never been one to sugar coat anything. That’s one of the reasons why I love her. She’s always been the one to remove the rose-colored glasses that I so often wear to allow me to see things more clearly, and this is one of those times. She has always been my voice of reason. My own little Jiminy Cricket.

“I know what you’re saying. I agree with you.” Now I need to figure out how to approach the subject.