A Day in Menopause · A Hormonal Comedy by Nurit Rozenblat
Chapter Two: 07:12 — Who Is Crying Here, and Why?
At 07:12 Dana stood in the kitchen, slicing a cucumber.
She wasn't particularly hungry, but after a night in which she had slept less than a teething baby, she decided she would at least put something healthy into her body.
Eyal walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, love."
"Good morning."
"Did you sleep a little in the end?"
"Yes. Forty-seven minutes."
"Oh, nice."
Dana put down the knife.
"Nice?"
Eyal stopped.
"Not nice?"
"Forty-seven minutes, Eyal."
"Right."
"Do you know how long forty-seven minutes is?"
"Yes."
"It's not even enough to watch a movie."
"You could watch an episode of a series."
Dana looked at him.
"Do you really want to continue this conversation?"
"No."
"Good."
Eyal opened the fridge.
"Is there cheese?"
"On the second shelf."
He took out the cheese.
Closed the fridge.
And said:
"By the way, my mother called yesterday. She wants us to come to her next week."
Dana kept slicing the cucumber.
"Okay."
"She said she misses us."
"How sweet of her."
"And maybe we'll stay for dinner."
Dana put down the knife.
"Eyal."
"What?"
"Are you trying to tell me that your mother misses us, or are you gently notifying me that we've been invited to a dinner I have no desire whatsoever to go to?"
Eyal looked at her.
"I just said she called."
"Right. And then you added dinner."
"Because she invited us."
"Then say she invited us."
"That's what I said."
"No. You said she misses us."
Eyal thought for a moment.
"Can I start over?"
Dana took a deep breath.
"Yes."
"My mother called yesterday."
"Lovely."
"She misses us."
Dana raised the knife.
"Eyal."
"I'm stopping."
At 07:19 Dana sat down at the table.
Eyal set a plate with the cucumber she had sliced in front of her.
She looked at him.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
He sat down across from her.
Dana took a piece.
Chewed.
And then looked at him.
"You know what? I think I'm a little irritable today."
Eyal raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Dana glared at him.
"Don't say that in that tone."
"What tone?"
"The 'Really? I hadn't noticed at all' tone."
He nodded.
"Okay."
Dana leaned back.
"It's strange. I feel like everything is annoying me."
Welcome to mood changes.
"Now you too?"
I'm only explaining. During the transition to menopause, hormonal fluctuations, insufficient sleep, and emotional load can affect mood. Some women experience more irritability, sensitivity, or emotional swings.
"I'm not sensitive."
A minute ago you almost opened a commission of inquiry over the wording of your mother-in-law's invitation.
"Because it wasn't clear!"
Of course.
Eyal looked at her.
"Are you okay?"
Dana smiled at him.
"Yes, my love."
He smiled back.
And then said:
"Maybe try to rest a little today?"
Dana stopped smiling.
"Are you saying I look tired?"
"No."
"Then why are you telling me to rest?"
"Because you didn't sleep."
"I know I didn't sleep!"
"That's exactly why."
Dana looked at him.
And then she started to laugh.
Eyal looked at her suspiciously.
"What's funny?"
"You."
"What did I do?"
"Nothing. You're just standing here trying to survive."
He smiled.
"That's pretty accurate."
At 07:26 Dana opened her phone.
Michal had sent her a video.
An old dog running slowly toward a soldier who had come home after two years.
Dana tapped the video.
The dog recognized his owner, started wagging his tail, and jumped on him with excitement.
Dana smiled.
And then her eyes filled with tears.
Eyal looked at her.
"Dana?"
She sniffled.
"What?"
"Are you crying?"
"No."
A tear fell on the screen.
Eyal looked at the phone.
"What happened?"
"The dog."
"What dog?"
"He remembered him!"
Eyal leaned in.
"Who remembered whom?"
"The dog! He remembered his owner after two years!"
Eyal looked at the video.
"Ah. Cute."
Dana turned to him.
"Cute?"
"Yes."
"That's what you have to say?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"It's moving!"
"Right."
"Aren't you moved?"
"I'm moved."
"Then why aren't you crying?"
Eyal looked at her.
"I don't know."
Dana wiped her eyes.
"You're insensitive."
Eyal was silent.
He had learned that in certain situations silence is not weakness.
It is life insurance.
A moment later Dana laughed.
Eyal looked at her.
"What now?"
"I can't believe I'm crying over a dog I don't know."
He smiled.
"Neither can I."
Dana laughed even harder.
And then wiped away another tear.
"It's so silly."
Not necessarily. Mood changes during the transition can be related to hormonal changes, but also to lack of sleep, stress, and other factors. That doesn't mean every emotional reaction is hormonal.
"So what am I supposed to do?"
First of all, notice the pattern. Sufficient sleep, physical activity, reducing stress, and support from those around you may help. If the mood changes are significant, prolonged, or interfere with life, it is worth consulting a professional.
Dana looked at Eyal.
"You know what? I think I need a hug."
Eyal got up immediately.
"That I know how to do."
He hugged her.
Dana leaned on him.
For a moment everything was pleasant and quiet.
And then Eyal said:
"Do you want us to adopt a dog?"
Dana pulled away from him.
"What?!"
"I was just asking."
"We have enough work at home!"
"Okay."
"Who would take him for walks?"
"I don't know."
"And who would clean up after him?"
"I assume that…"
"And who would get up for him at night?"
Eyal stopped.
Dana looked at him.
And then they both started to laugh.
"You understand?" she said. "I cry over a dog in a video, but if you bring one home, I'm packing you a suitcase."
Eyal smiled.
"So no dog."
"No dog."
He sat down.
A moment later he asked:
"A cat?"
Dana raised the cucumber.
"Eyal."
"I'm silent."
At 07:38 Dana felt calm again.
She leaned back in the chair, looked at Eyal, and smiled.
"I love you, you know?"
He smiled back.
"I love you too."
"And I know I'm a bit unbearable this morning."
"A bit?"
Dana looked at him.
Eyal froze.
"I was joking."
"I know."
He breathed a sigh of relief.
And then Dana started to laugh.
"You should see your face."
"I'm afraid to talk."
"You can talk."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Eyal thought for a moment.
"I love you."
Dana smiled.
"Excellent answer."
He nodded.
"I'm sticking with that sentence until the evening."
Dana laughed.
He learns fast.
"Yes," she thought, "but it's a pity he doesn't come with a warranty."
The time was 07:41.
Eyal was still married.
Dana still loved him.
And the cucumber?
It was the only one in the house who got through the whole morning without saying anything out of place.
End of Chapter Two.
Continued in Chapter Three: 08:16 — Who Stole My Energy?
© 2026 Nurit Rozenblat. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without the author's prior written permission.
