After All

 
“Lemonade’s a tad sour.”
 
Lars was sitting on the porch swing with Mabel, his wife of fifteen years, after a long day in the fields. Without even looking at her, he could tell he’d upset her. 
 
“After all I’ve done for you?” she steamed. “After all I’ve put up with over the years…”
 
“After all YOU’VE put up with?” he shot back. “After all that I’VE put up with!”
 
“After all I’ve SACRIFICED?” she yelled. “After all the things I GAVE UP to be with you!”
 
“After all the HELL you’ve PUT ME THROUGH!” he growled.
 
“After all the TROUBLE and HEADACHES and HEARTACHE you’ve caused me!” she screamed. 
 
Lars bit his tongue to keep from saying something he couldn’t take back. They rocked back and forth on the swing, letting their anger evaporate like the morning mist on the soil.
 
“After all we’ve endured together,” he said gently. “After all we’ve overcome.”
 
“After all the time we’ve put into this marriage,” she said wistfully. “After all we’ve been through together.”
 
“After all the days we’ve spent together,” he nodded, taking her hand in his. “After all the nights we’ve shared.”
 
“After all,” she said quietly as she put her head on his shoulder and they stared out over the crops to the orangey sky of the setting sun. “After all.”
 
Lars only had one more thing to say.
 
“Your lemonade still sucks.”