my son was dissatisfied

I’d been pinching pennies and hustling with my online stuff to make life easier for the kid. Then, one day I got it in my head that I deserved a new purse, like, a decent one, over a hundred bucks maybe.

So, I’m about to tap ‘pay’ on my phone when my son, Mikey, grabs my hand. “Mom, you don’t make any money! Why are you wasting it? You know Dad works so hard!”

I told my husband, Dave, about it later, and he just kinda shrugged it off, like always. Mikey, though, was strutting around like a little rooster, looking me dead in the eye, and goes, “See, Mom? You don't even deserve nice things.”

I just went silent for a minute, you know, processing. Then I thought, “Fine. You guys want to play it that way? I’m done.”

1.

First day of the no-cooking life? I ordered fried chicken.

Dave and I had a major blowup the night before, and I’d moved into the spare bedroom. I’m done with the whole ‘chef and maid’ thing. They can be all high and mighty; they can figure stuff out for themselves.

Mikey comes waltzing out of his room at lunchtime and his eyes light up when he sees the fried chicken on the table.

“Whoa, did you know I was craving chicken?” he says, reaching for a piece.

I smack his hand away and pull the box closer to myself. “Who said this was for you? If you want some, make it yourself.”

“But Mom, shouldn’t you make sure I’m fed first?” Mikey asks, confused.

“Not anymore. Mommy gets to eat first now.” I held onto that chicken like it was the Hope Diamond.

Well, Mikey decided he wasn’t going to take that lying down. He grabbed a broom and swiped my chicken right off the table, making a greasy mess on the floor.

“You always let me have the good stuff first! If I can’t have it, then you can’t either!” he yells, his voice all whiny and entitled.

It hit me hard, the way he was acting. Had I really spoiled him this much? My voice took on a serious edge. “Who taught you to act like that? You don't get to ruin stuff for other people. I’m telling you one last time: I’m done with it. You want food? Make it yourself.”

He huffed and muttered something about making his own, then goes to the pantry and grabs a pack of ramen, pouring hot water into it from the kettle.

I looked at the spilled chicken. At least the box was still closed.

I was still fuming when I saw Mikey slurping his noodles, making a huge mess. I just ignored him.

"Buying fancy purses and ordering takeout? Wait 'til Dad gets home, he's gonna flip!" Mikey says with his mouth full.

I just smirked. Yesterday? I was still steaming about what went down yesterday.

It was Saturday, nice weather for a change. I thought it would be fun to take Mikey to the mall.

We got to the third floor where all the purses were and this one caught my eye, about $150 bucks. I’d looked all around the store, but I kept coming back to that one. The sales lady was laying it on thick.

"Honey, this bag looks amazing on you. It's the last one, they're not making it anymore!"

That did it. I’d been a stay-at-...