40somethingmag - Kat Marie - It-s A Great Fucki... < Complete >

The party went until 1 AM. We sang “Something to Talk About” so loud the downstairs neighbor banged on the ceiling—but rhythmically, like he was joining in.

The reel was perfect. A woman my age, wearing a linen apron (who wears an apron to cook pasta?), was pulling a golden, blistered focaccia out of a retro Italian oven. The caption read: “Sourdough is for your 30s. Focaccia is for when you know exactly how much olive oil you deserve.” 40SomethingMag - Kat Marie - It-s a great fucki...

The next morning, I announced to Mark, “I’m buying a vintage oven and throwing a Gelato & Gasoline party.” The party went until 1 AM

My latest episode began last Tuesday at 11:47 PM. I was doom-scrolling in bed while my husband, Mark, did that thing where he pretends to be asleep so he doesn’t have to hear my ideas. A woman my age, wearing a linen apron

Getting it up to my third-floor walk-up took two hours, a case of beer for the neighbor’s nephew, and the permanent loss of feeling in my left thumb.

I sat on the floor. The vintage oven hummed menacingly. My linen apron was stained with tomato paste. I had invited 18 people. The entertainment wasn’t going to be focaccia. It was going to be my funeral.