There sat the milk chocolate bar on the kitchen counter,

Its wrapper: colorful, brilliant, tempting.

It was just before a delicious dinner,

So my stomach’s growls were unrelenting.

I’d thought, planned, and prepped,

And this meal would be worth the wait, self-control ascending.

“This bar won’t ruin your dinner. Take just a bite!”

The enabling voice in my head jeered.

“But you worked so hard on this meal for your family,”

The wise voice cheered.

“If my daughter were tempted, what would I tell her?”

I heard myself say. So weird.

We sat at the table, devouring our dinner as a family.

“This is the best meal you’ve ever made, Mom!” my daughter praised.

“Why, thank you, my dear!” I replied, eyes welling.

I caught a glimpse of the small treat still sitting there, unclaimed.

“I’m sure it had nothing to do with the abandoned chocolate bar,”

My husband noted, with a delighted wink, eyebrow raised.

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Stories by Jess

The Chocolate Bar That Waited