I tell her to take a hike, that I wanted to be with my husband? Because I was grumpy and jealous of Tom, that’s why. But I wish I hadn’t stayed. I wish I’d never even seen that man in the mall. Or that I’d let him take the dumb packages and be happy. Because I’m quite sure the following never would have happened if I hadn’t been so high on all the fussing and heroworship.
I told the little group all about knocking out the thief, and about Newsline and Brenda Walkers. They were impressed, to say the least. The two girls were looking at me like I was a celebrity or something, and the guys were…well, as far as I can figure, they were flirting with me! Finally one of the guys grinned at me and said, “Wow, Dulcie. You travel with children, you take them shopping at Crown Center by yourself, and Tom tells me you do house repairs and interior decorating. And you even catch criminals. Is there anything you don’t do?”
You guys, I’m so ashamed to tell you this part. I don’t know where it came from or anything, and if I could take it back, I would. But I simpered up at him and said in my coyest voice, “Well, I certainly don’t read romance novels.”
It took a few seconds for my comment to sink in with Michelle and Kelly. I’d like to blame that on the visits they’d taken to the cash bar, but I’m not sure it would have been any different if they’d been totally sober. (See, even now I’m being a catty snipe.) :( Their smiles disappeared and their mouths dropped open, like, “Hey, you just insulted me!” They didn’t talk to me the rest of the evening. But every once in a while, I’d see them looking over at me with this confused expression, like “What did I do to you?”
But worse was Tom. Here he’d already put up with teasing from his co-workers, and then he got clotheslined by his own wife—in front of everybody! I know perfectly well why he chats with those girls about their relationships. They treat him like an expert, like their own little key into the male mind. He gets to explain to them why men act the way they do, and they actually listen and respect his viewpoint.
When I glanced up at him, he looked stunned…and then, ashamed. And even betrayed. I wish he’d been angry. I’d rather have dealt with anger than this…whatever it is. He laughed a little at what I said, and I don’t think the other guys saw how it hurt him. But I saw. His shoulders slumped the rest of the evening. We actually didn’t stay long after that. He said he was tired, but I know what was really the matter. I tried to talk about it with him, tried to apologize for teasing him. He just brushed it off and said it was no big deal. That he didn’t really like talking to them anyway.
But I’m afraid I really, really hurt him. Seven words! Seven of the stupidest, most callous words in the world, and they came out of MY mouth! Why did I try to make a crack like that? What’s wrong with me? I love Tom! I’m not normally such a jerk.
I don’t know how to go about making this right, either. You can’t just take back something so snide. I wish I’d stayed in Omaha and never come at all.
Now you know the real me. All the dirty laundry. I don’t like myself very much right now, so I don’t expect you to, either. Good grief, why didn’t I hold my tongue?
Dulcie
* * *
From:
VIM
To:
Rosalyn Ebberly
Subject:
Re: Christmas Party
* * *
I didn’t ask you to cater the whole dinner, Ros. All I asked is if you could bake your almond kringle for dessert. It’s a special family tradition, and nobody else can make it as good as you can. I know it’s a lot of work, and you sure enough deserve a vacation, but I thought you enjoyed baking—and you know everyone raves about it. But I’m not going to twist your arm. If you don’t want