Ben was entirely at a loss. He knew Melody was angry with him, but he didn't understand what he'd done in this conversation to merit her glare and the challenging question. If she was upset (she was), why not just excuse herself and take a day to do whatever she wanted on her own, rather than having to grit her teeth and muddle her way through a holiday that she wouldn't enjoy?

She was staring at him, but Ben had no idea what to say. He eventually made a what do you want from me sort of gesture with his hands, then realized he was holding his dinner knife in one and hastily put it down, clattering against the side of his plate.

"If you're going to do this, then yes, I'd rather you stayed home," he said, obviously furstrated.