text: Theirs was a typical relationship. For the first few years the two were completely inseparable. He couldn't stop thinking about her. She treated him like a proverbial king. They were so emotionally connected that they finished each other's sentences but after their five year anniversary, the 'love' endorphins greatly dissipated. The admiration and mutual respect were still in abundance but it was definitely different from that point on. Though solid, the relationship was on a slightly downward arc. There were no specific reasons for it. They didn't fight or argue. It was just a naturally-occurring decline in carnal attraction. The downside to knowing your partner so well is that everything they do becomes very familiar. There were no surprises anymore. She knew all of his rituals and he knew her routines. Life and ordinary complacency got in the way of maintaining their initial spark. Suddenly her cute quirks were no longer endearing. They grated on his nerves and it was exactly the same for her. His personality was annoying at times. Anyone observing them might have marveled at how the same traits went from cherished to aggravating in just a few years. It was just human nature. We become desensitized to the same old thing, no matter how amazing it might have seemed before. This static trend continued for a few more years. She wanted more and more time to 'find herself'. His company in and out of the bedroom was less desired; and he was hurt by that ongoing physical rejection. It was the first marriage for both so they had no frame of reference to gauge their perspectives against a previous relationship. At different times they both assumed it just reflected a normal couple's growth. Even if that so-called 'growth' was expanding in opposite directions. In the next few years, they had a handful of very heated arguments. It was never physical but there was definitely some simmering animosity and resentment below the surface. Their philosophical disagreements grew broader. Not surprisingly, their intimate relationship also dwindled to smoldering ashes. Despite these personal woes, they excelled in their professional lives. They acquired a very nice home and many desirable possessions in the trade-off. It was perhaps the complicated financial entanglements which kept them together during this difficult phase. Near the eve of the holidays, he fretted over what to buy for her. He had to settle on a gift card from her favorite store. In the beginning of the relationship, he knew exactly what she desired but the further they drew apart, the more private and secretive she became. All the personal 'space' she used to find herself, was also a distance buffer away from him. His gift card idea was uninspired and boring but at least it insured she could get what she really wanted. It was the 'safe bet'. She opened it up and couldn't even feign enthusiasm. A sigh of disgust escaped her lips. He threw up his arms in frustrated surrender. He was officially out of patience. In her hands she held his gift. The small box was expertly wrapped and topped with an ornate bow. He was filled with a sense of dread. It clearly wasn't large enough to contain what he really wanted and he didn't want to cause any more of a rift between them. If it was possible, he was even less of an actor than she was. He couldn't even begin to fake his true feelings; even to prevent a fight. He pulled at the ribbon slowly. The bow unraveled and fell to the floor. As he pulled the lid off the box, he tried to prepare for whatever was inside. Instead of an electronic gadget that he expected, there was only a single piece of paper in the bottom. It wasn't even as thick as a gift card. He nervously reached inside to retrieve it. In bold lettering it read: "The bearer of this coupon is entitled to one (1) no-strings-attached, sexual encounter with the person of his choice. There will be absolutely no repercussions from his spouse." As she stood in front of him, he read the card a half dozen times to make sure he read it correctly. His initial reaction was that of confusion. Then doubt. The whole thing stunk of a cunning trap, or a cringeworthy joke. On the back of the embossed card was a clever, very relevant footnote. "No, it's not a 'trap'. I promise." "That's the very sort of thing that a wife's 'gotcha' trap would proclaim."; He thought in amusement to himself. He made brief eye contact with her for the first time since reading the bizarre coupon. She wasn't smiling. She looked dead serious. Was she gauging his reaction to the one-time 'infidelity coupon offer', or just trying to reassure him it was really ok to use it. He couldn't decide. "Is this some sort of joke, or test?"; He stammered. She shook her head slowly from side to side. There was no hint of amusement on her lips. It was apparently a serious offer. His mind began to wander at the unlikely possibilities. If it really was a serious proposition, who would he choose? There were several ladies who had caught his eyes over the years but that would only open up another can of worms. Then as logic returned to his brain, he began to question the real reason for this unusual 'gift'. Why would she offer to let him have an unanswered dalliance? It was more than just a little bit suspicious. People generally only display that level of unjealous 'generosity' when they had already taken a turn on the infidelity merry-go-round, themselves. It was almost as if she was trying to assuage her own guilty conscience. His mind reeled at the terrifying possibility. Rage, fear, suspicion, and disgust coursed through his veins. As much as it pained him to visualize, it would make sense and explain a great deal about their strained relationship. Regardless, he dared not ask 'that' question. He wasn't sure if he could handle the answer. Instead he just stood looking downward with mouth agape. She spoke, to break the pregnant pause. "I know what you're thinking. No one else in the world knows you as well as I do. I've already went through those same dark emotions. Many, many times, I've anticipated your unspoken questions about the coupon. I've also imagined how you would respond, if the situation was reversed. No, it's not a joke or a trap to see how you would respond. And no, I've never been unfaithful to you, sweetheart. Our distance in the past few years and my lack of affection is because of my own distractions and personal issues. I'm deeply sorry about the wall I've erected around myself. It's not you. It's me. Please try to be patient as I slowly remove those bricks, ok? For this reason, I want to offer you some form of... 'compensation'. All I ask is that you try to avoid an emotional connection with whomever you choose to hand it to." Tears of relief welled up in his eyes. He extended his arm and handed her the coupon. It was the best gift he ever received.