The Migraine

She parked her car,
thinking of cool water,
long smooth strokes
and gliding in the quiet.
She set her purse and briefcase
by the door,
at the edge of the carpet,
feeling the pressure
of a familiar migraine.
Squinting against the glare
of the flickering TV,
and wincing at the blaring sound,
she said, “the doctor suggested
exercise to diminish stress.
It would also increase my fitness.”
(which was nonexistent)
She was thinking about
warm sun on the deck
and on her skin.
“The pool near work
is open at noon.”
It would be a rare break
from the demands
of being breadwinner,
mother, wife.
He raised his tennis tanned face
from the recliner,
glanced her way,
and in a voice flat as mud
responded;
“Wouldn’t it be cheaper
to take a migraine pill?”
She turned away,
wounded
at the absence
of emotion.
She wasn’t a wife.
She was a financial
calculation.

Prompts: Trifecta for use of the word absence as want or lack.  Also Poets United Vice Versa for the word pairs familiar/rare and diminish/increase