Brooke had just come back from a week-long business trip, feeling excited to relax and enjoy a nice snack. But something was off. Her favorite jar of peanut butter was half-empty. That was strange—especially because her husband, Aaron, was severely allergic to peanuts. He couldn’t even be near them without having a dangerous reaction. So, who had eaten the peanut butter?
Determined to solve the mystery, Brooke decided to check the security footage, never imagining what she would find. What started as a small suspicion turned into a much bigger and emotional discovery—one neither she nor Aaron had expected.
Brooke reflected on her trip. It was her first work getaway in years, and while she loved Aaron, she also needed a break. He was a great husband, but after all their years of living together, there were little things that were starting to get to her—like his endless gaming sessions and his inability to properly clean the dishes. It wasn’t anything major, but she definitely needed a breather.
When her boss, Roger, asked her to present at a conference, Brooke jumped at the chance. It would be a week of work, yes, but also a week without Aaron’s quirky habits. She’d finally have some peace. It wasn’t exactly vacation, but it sure felt like it.
Before she left, Brooke did her usual thing. She stocked the fridge with leftovers, prepped some meals for the week, and made sure Aaron had enough snacks to keep him happy. As a treat for herself, she bought a fresh jar of creamy peanut butter. This jar was meant to be untouched until her return—just for her. She even left Aaron a list of reminders:
- Water the plants.
- Call the plumber if the faucet is still dripping.
- And for the love of everything good, do not microwave metal.
The week went by in a blur of PowerPoint slides, coffee that was more bitter than usual, and the quiet that Brooke had secretly craved. No discussions about socks. No debates over making the bed. It was just her, working in peace.
Finally, she returned home late one night, exhausted from travel delays and the long drive. All she wanted was a quick snack to settle her hunger. Peanut butter toast seemed like the perfect choice. But when she reached for the jar, her heart sank.
It was half-empty.
She stared at the jar in disbelief. Aaron couldn’t have eaten it. He was allergic to peanuts. Even the smallest amount could send him to the hospital. They’d always been very careful about peanut products. So how could this happen?
Maybe she had opened it before leaving and just forgotten. But no, Brooke was sure she hadn’t. Something didn’t make sense.
“Hey, Aaron?” she called out, trying to sound casual. “Did anyone come over while I was gone? Friends or family?”
Aaron peeked around the corner, looking confused. “Nope, just me. I met Nathan for beers one night. Why?”
“Oh, nothing,” Brooke said, trying to keep her tone light.
But something about his response didn’t feel right. It seemed too casual, too quick.
“Are you sure?” she pressed, her suspicions growing. “No one stayed over?”
Aaron frowned, genuinely puzzled. “I’m sure, Brooke. It was a boring week. What’s going on?”
Brooke shrugged, trying to act like it wasn’t a big deal. “Just wondered if you got lonely, that’s all.”
He laughed, but Brooke couldn’t shake the unease growing in her chest. That night, as she lay in bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about the peanut butter jar. If Aaron hadn’t eaten it, and no one had been over, then who had?
The next morning, after Aaron left for work, Brooke decided she needed to get to the bottom of it. They had security cameras, which they rarely used. But now, she was feeling like a detective.
She pulled up the footage and started scanning the days she was away.
Day one: Nothing unusual. Aaron worked from home, made coffee, and paced around during phone calls.
Day two: Same routine. Nothing strange.
Day three: That’s when things started to get interesting.
Aaron came home from a jog, looking sweaty and tired. But he wasn’t alone. He was holding a leash.
“What’s going on?” Brooke whispered to herself, leaning closer to the screen.
A scruffy, golden-brown dog trotted into their house, following Aaron inside. Brooke’s jaw dropped. A dog? Aaron, who had always insisted he was anti-pet, had brought a dog into their home. But that wasn’t the shocking part. As Brooke watched, Aaron scooped a spoonful of peanut butter from her jar and gave it to the dog.
Over the next few days, Brooke watched in amazement as the dog became more and more at home. It lounged on the couch, played outside, and even curled up in their bed—something Aaron had always insisted was too pristine for pets.
By the time Aaron came home that evening, Brooke was ready.
“Aaron,” she said, arms crossed. “Do you have something you want to tell me?”
Aaron froze. His face turned red.
“I checked the cameras,” Brooke said, watching him carefully.
His cheeks flushed even more. “Uh… yeah. About that.”
“Aaron, why was there a dog in our house?” Brooke asked, her voice shaking with confusion. “And why was it eating my peanut butter?”
Aaron sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Look, I’ve always wanted a dog, but I knew you always wanted a cat. So, while you were gone, I thought I could foster one, just for the week. She looked so sad at the shelter, Brooke. I couldn’t leave her there.”
Brooke was still in shock. “And the peanut butter?”
“She loves it! The staff said it was her favorite treat.”
Brooke raised an eyebrow. “What about your allergy?”
“I was careful!” Aaron insisted. “I wore gloves, washed my hands, everything.”
Brooke took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “Where is she now?”
Aaron’s face fell. “I returned her yesterday. The foster period ended.”
Brooke’s frustration started to melt as she saw the disappointment on Aaron’s face. He hadn’t lied out of malice, but out of love for something he thought she wouldn’t accept.
“Next time,” Brooke said softly, “talk to me. Maybe we can figure it out together.”
And they did. A month later, they adopted Daisy, a hypoallergenic Maltese. Daisy became the heart of their home—and the official peanut butter taste tester.
What do you think of the story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
