My ex, which is my friend and family, mentioned he'd be down in 10 mins to assist to contribute with dinner/supper as he was finishing up some work... I waited about 15 minutes and just started without him.
I did text him at 20 min after with "20 minutes later ".. and he said he was coming.
He explained his manger called.

This is empowering to me because I just started with dinner, I didn't wait around as I may have done* in the past. I also didn't get upset, I figured either he got tired up or something came up or he indeed did get distracted.
Yes, I am passive aggressive at times in joking ways with him, but* we both knew today it was a joke and a point.. he will probably "get me back" with dinner another day.