Advanced Forgiveness

Hotdogs are not a staple in our refrigerator, but occasionally, I will pick up a package. Last Friday, while I was grocery shopping, I noticed hotdogs were on sale for only ninety-nine cents. “Wow, that’s a good price,” I said, placing a pack of dogs in my cart.

Saturday, my wife was scanning the fridge, looking for something to eat for lunch. “Hey! You bought hotdogs,” she said with excitement. I bought pickle relish, too, but I would wait and let her discover that on her own. And so, it would be hotdogs and chips for lunch. Then, with disappointment, she said, “These hotdogs are expired.”

“I...