What He Didn’t Say
She was chattering. He offered an occasional monosyllabic grunt response. She said, “You don’t seem to be enjoying this conversation much.”
He said, “I’m trying to think.”
She said, “What’s that supposed to mean? Is that some kind of code for “shut up”? If you want me to shut up you can just say so, you know. I won’t take offense. I know how to be quiet. I can shut up. I don’t have to talk all the time. I can be as quiet as a mouse. Is that what you want? Is it?”
He leaned forward, covered his face with his hands, and shook his head.
“I can be so quiet you’d never even know I’m here and all you have to do is say so. Really. You just say the word and I’ll shut up. No problem. Really, I won’t mind at all.”
He began to rock.
She patted him on the shoulder. “You seem upset. Is it because you’re trying to think? If you need me to be quiet I would be happy to do that for you. All you have to do is say so, honey. Do you want to say so? Do you? You can tell me. Just tell me and I’ll shut right up.”
He made a funny choking noise, which she interpreted as laughter. She kissed him on the cheek, took his dirty dishes, and started to leave the room. She said, “You adore me and you know it.”
He said, “Yes.”
She said, “But somedays you’re tempted to do it with a real door.”
He said, “Well ….”
She turned and gave him that look. “Well — ?”
Looking at her innocently, He offered his customary monosyllabic grunt response.
15 Comments
I notice there are no comments. Maybe we’re all supposed to give a monosyllabic grunt?!
Grunt, or should it be, a long goran?
Do you have a super duper microphone stashed in my house somewhere? This sounds a lot like the man I’m married to . . . and increasingly, our son!
Thanks for the laugh!
Whatever happened to the strong, silent type, anyway? Guess they don’t read the Bible anymore …
shut, shut, shut.
When my Hubby wants to “think,” he goes down to his cave, aka the basement. He often seems to have a better repoire with golf tournaments and college basketball. And “grunt, mumble” is his middle name!
I’ve come to the realization that my family is QUIET.
You sound a lot like my middle son. 🙂
My hubby can always tell when I have not used up all my words during the day. You know us women NEED to say a certain amount of words per day, and when we keep them bottled up, the outcome is chatter.
This happens at my house too only the parts are switched.
When I get in chatter mode MWM puts his book down and takes off his glasses. 😉
LOL, this must be how my husband feels when I trot down to the “bat cave” (his basement workshop) to chatter at him.
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We just came home from our monthly group 42 game night with six couples playing. I overbid Mrs. Jim’s bid of two (we were opponents) with my three and made the points. Guess who is sleeping on the dog bed in the garage tonight? 🙂
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LOL. I see into a mirror here. Great captured. Have a wonderful week 🙂
just loved it. its quite a common scenario, is not it?
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