My husband didn’t pick me up at the airport because his friend’s wife asked him to pick her up after the gym – I taught him a perfect lesson.

When I returned from an exhausting business trip, I expected my husband, David, to meet me at the airport. Instead, he chose to help a friend’s wife. Furious and hurt, I hatched a plan to teach him a lesson about priorities, not knowing that it would transform our relationship forever.

I had just landed from a business trip to Tokyo. My body ached from the long flight, but my mind was sharp and I was looking forward to seeing David. We had been married for five years, and this had been the longest we had been apart.

As soon as the plane landed, I turned on my cell phone and texted him, “I’ve landed! I can’t wait to see you.”

The response was almost immediate, but it wasn’t what I expected: “Hi, honey. I can’t make it. Jenny needed a ride after her gymnastics session. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”

My heart cringed. I stared at the message, feeling a surge of anger and disbelief. Jenny. Again. It wasn’t the first time David had prioritized her over me, but this was the last straw. I wasn’t about to drag my exhaustion home in an Uber just because David couldn’t refuse a favor.

I quickly dialed Mark’s number. He picked up on the second ring. “Mark, it’s Sarah. I just landed, can you come get me?”

“Of course, Sarah. I’m on my way,” he replied without hesitation. Mark was always reliable.

As I waited, I was furious. I couldn’t believe David had done this to me. As the minutes passed, my frustration grew. When Mark pulled up to the curb, I was about to explode.

Mark helped me with my bags and we climbed into his car. “Is everything okay?” he asked me, realizing that my fists were clenched.

“No, Mark. It’s not okay at all,” I said, my voice shaking with anger. “David left me for Jenny. Again. This has to stop.”

Mark nodded sympathetically. “He needs to understand what that feels like, Sarah. Do you want to talk about it?”

I took a deep breath and my anger subsided into focused determination. “Yes. But we’re also going to teach him a lesson.”

On the way home, I vented to Mark about all the times David had let me down for the sake of others, especially Jenny. Mark listened, and his occasional nods and hums encouraged me to continue. By the time we got to my house, I had a plan.

“Mark, come over for dinner tonight. I want to thank you properly,” I told him as I carried my bags inside.

“Sure,” he replied with a knowing smile.

I spent the rest of the evening preparing a very elaborate meal. I cooked all of David’s favorite dishes, making sure everything was perfect. I set the table beautifully, with candles and our best china. It was going to be a night David would not forget.

Mark arrived just as David was walking in the door. David’s face lit up when he saw the dinner, but his smile faded when he saw Mark.

“What’s all this?” asked David, confusion etched on his face.

“Dinner, to thank Mark for being there when I needed him,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Unlike some other people I know.”

David’s cheeks flushed as he realized what he was doing. He glanced at Mark, who was already seated at the table and looked amused.

During dinner, I made sure to praise Mark’s reliability and support. “Mark, you’ve helped me a lot today. I don’t know what I would have done without you,” I said, eyes fixed on David.

Mark played along perfectly. “It’s no bother, Sarah. I’m always willing to help.”

David squirmed in the seat, his discomfort growing with each passing minute. “I would have come, but Jenny needed a ride,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze.

“And I needed my husband,” I replied, ”But you weren’t there.”

The rest of the meal passed in awkward silence. David barely touched his food, and I knew my message was sinking in.

After dinner, Mark left and I finally confronted David. “Do you see what it feels like, to be let down by someone you trust?” I asked, my voice softening. David looked at me, guilt flashing across his face. “I’m sorry, Sarah. I didn’t realize how much it hurt you.” “Well, it does now,” I replied, turning away. “I hope you’ll remember that the next time Jenny calls.” After dinner, I went upstairs, my mind still buzzing from all that had happened. David followed me into the bedroom and closed the door with a soft click. “Sarah, we need to talk,” he said in a serious voice. I turned to him, crossing my arms over my chest. “Yes, we need to talk.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I understand. You mean my priorities. But you have to understand that Jenny was in a bind.” “And so am I,” I replied, my voice tight. “David, this isn’t about Jenny. It’s about us. I need to know that sometimes I come first. That our relationship matters to you.” David looked down, his shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how much I was hurting you.” I softened a little and stepped closer. “David, it’s not just about the airport. It’s about being there for each other. We have to prioritize our relationship. If we don’t, we’ll lose what we have.” He nodded slowly, taking my hands in his. “You’re right. I’ll do better, I promise.” The next few days were different. David made a conscious effort to show that he prioritized our relationship. He started going out before work to spend more time with me and he called me more often. I could see the guilt in his eyes, but also the determination to change. One night a few months later, we were curled up on the couch watching a movie when David’s phone rang. It was John, Jenny’s husband. David answered, and his face immediately tightened with concern. “What, Jenny’s in labor? But it’s too soon! Okay, okay, calm down. I’ll help you. Give me a second.” She hung up and looked at me. “Jenny’s gone into labor unexpectedly. John is going crazy.” I felt a twinge of anxiety, but quickly pushed it away. “What are you going to do?” David took a deep breath. “I’m going to call Mark. He can help John get Jenny to the hospital. I promised you I’d be here for you and I plan to keep that promise.” I watched him dial Mark’s number, quickly explaining the situation. Mark agreed to help without hesitation, and I felt a surge of relief. David turned to me, eyes soft. “I’ll stay with you, Sarah. We’ll wait for news together.” As the hours passed, we sat together, holding hands and talking about everything but the impending delivery. It felt good, to be connected, to be together. When the news finally came that Jenny had delivered a healthy baby, David and I let out a sigh of relief. That night, lying in bed, I turned to David. “You really kept your promise,” I said, feeling a surge of love for him. David smiled, brushing a lock of hair away from my face. “I meant it, Sarah. You’re my priority.” Over the next few months, our relationship grew stronger. David continued to balance helping others with being present for me. I saw a change in him, a new awareness of what it meant to be a partner, to be there when it mattered. This play is inspired by real events and real people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. The author and publisher do not guarantee the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters, and are not responsible for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and the opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.