Meddling in Manhattan by Kirsten Osbourne Page B

She sang softly as she worked, enjoying the idea of eating her first meal at home with her new husband. 
    She sat at their tiny bar, the only table in the apartment, reading her book while she waited for the food to cook.  When it was finally ready, she served it on two plates, put a candle in the middle of the bar, and set everything just so.  She wanted everything perfect.  It was their first meal in their new home after all. 
    When she was finished, she called his name.  "Dinner's ready!"
    She waited a minute, and when there was no response, she walked over to Jake, saying it a bit louder.  "Dinner's ready."
    When he didn't respond again, she put her hand on his shoulder.  He looked at her with a confused expression.  "Yeah?"
    "Dinner's ready!"
    Jake nodded.  He always ate while he worked.  "Oh, good.  Thanks.  Would you bring it to me?"  There was a clear spot to the left of his keyboard.  That would be perfect.
    Addie stood wavering for a moment and finally walked to the counter, blew out the candle she'd lit, and brought him his plate, fork, and a glass of Coke.  "Anything else I can get you?" she asked in her best waitress voice.
    "No, that's good.  Thanks."  He didn't even look at her as he continued pounding away at the keyboard.  She wasn't even certain he knew she was there. 
    She sighed, walking back to the counter and sitting down to eat.  Their honeymoon had been great, but she wasn't certain if she could handle him ignoring her all the time. 
    She ate in silence, rinsing her dishes and putting them in the dishwasher.  She put up the leftovers, thinking he could eat them for lunch the following day, before looking over to see if he was ready for her to wash his plate and utensils.  His food looked untouched, though, so she went to the bathroom to take a bath with her book.  It was going to be a long night.
    She'd made it through more than a third of her book before she stood up to go to bed.  She'd been reading on the couch, thinking that if she was in the same room with him, he'd realize she still existed. 
    Finally she stood, walked to where he was, and again put her hand on his shoulder.  Obviously she was going to have to touch him to get his attention.  "I'm going to bed," she said in a soft voice.  She'd put on a new nightgown she was certain he'd like and waited for him to look at her in it.  At least he knew she was there when they were making love.
    "Good night.  I need to finish this chapter before bed."  He didn't look up.
    Addie stared at him in disbelief.  "Good night."  She went into the bedroom, feeling more rejected than she ever had in her life.  She shut the door, not wanting to hear the keyboard, and climbed into bed.  Closing her eyes, she wished for sleep.  Who would have thought it would take only a week of marriage to become invisible?
     
    *****
     
    Addie woke alone the following morning, surprised to see the spot on the bed beside her untouched.  Had Jake slept on the couch?  She couldn't imagine why he'd be mad at her.
    She got up and wandered into the living room, and there he sat, typing just as frantically as he had the night before.  She didn't ask any questions as she fixed breakfast, making him a plate of eggs, toast, and bacon.  She wondered if he'd gotten up, but she could tell he'd gotten himself more water, and his plate from last night was lying in the sink.  There was an empty bag of chips beside him.
    She walked over and put the plate beside him and went to get him a glass of orange juice.  When she set it beside him on the desk, she put her hand on his shoulder.  "I made breakfast."
    His eyes flickered to her.  "What time is it?"
    "Eight.  The store opens at ten, so I try to be there by nine-thirty."
    "Oh.  I guess I wrote all night."  He took a sip of the orange juice.  "Thanks for breakfast."  He turned back to his computer and started typing again.
    "Would you mind starting dinner this evening?" she asked.  "I have it