I didn’t answer right away because I honestly couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Jason,” I said carefully, “I hurt myself on the porch because you refused to shovel.”

He shrugged.

“You should’ve been more careful,” he said. “You always rush.”

Then he leaned back like he was making a reasonable point.

“Look, I’m sorry you fell, but the party still needs to happen. It’s your job. You’re the hostess. If you don’t pull this off, you’ll embarrass me.”

Embarrass him.

My arm was in a cast.

And he was worried about how he would look.

Something inside me grew very quiet.