"Bring me some Tylenol for my headache."
"Yes dear," Max was only too eager to please. Peggy had been his wife for almost 20 years, most of which she had the same nagging headache. It wasn't her fault, migraines ran in her family. She often used the headaches as excuses to get herself out of unpleasant tasks, like sex. He was used to it by now. Her mother was just like her. When they were together, Peggy would tell her how bad her head hurt and how her good-for-nothing husband didn't care.
"Honey, can you bring me my medicine?"
Max finished the last sentence in his latest story. He loved to write, in general, but preferred short stories. He often sent his stories to magazines, Helium, and other writing clubs that he belonged to. Max told Peggy about every story before he wrote it. She would tell him if the story was too unbelievable or too predictable. Most of the time, she would try to change the entire plot. He had an idea for another short story that he was dying to write, he couldn't wait to tell her about it.
Peggy was in her usual spot on the couch with her hand across her forehead. She moaned and barely opened her eyes as Max approached with her medicine. She tossed the pills into her mouth and washed them down with a sip of water. The bitter taste made her nose crinkle. She collapsed onto the couch. Max sat down beside her and gently rubbed her temples. "That feels so good, Max."
"I have another story idea that I want to run past you."
"What is it?" she asked.
"Well, there is this writer who specializes in short stories. He usually tells his ideas to his wife, but most of the time, all she does is complain about having a headache. One night, he gets tired of hearing her complain. She asks him to bring her some medication, but instead, he brings her poison. She takes the poison, thinking that she is taking the medication, and dies."
Peggy had already begun to feel sick to her stomach. By the time she put the pieces of the puzzle together, she was violently ill and vomiting on the floor. Max stood up and walked away. He stopped and turned around, "glad you liked it."