The Last Word

Just finished a really stressful month at work last Thursday.  To explain it simply, it is like a yearly audit of the medical records I manage for a large group of doctors.  Besides being ecstatic that the site visit was over and that we passed with flying colors, I was taking Friday off work for a quick little road trip with Sam.  "Wahoo!" describes my feelings best as Ella left the building about 2:30 pm that afternoon.

Absolutely love road trips with Sam.  I so enjoy just the two of us with hours to talk.  Many times Sam will drive, and I will read aloud to him.  Interesting places we are going to visit or history books so we understand the story behind our destination.  Back when we were just getting to know ttwd, I would also print articles and posts.  I would read to Sam as we traveled down the highway, and we spent many hours discussing these as well.  Anyway, it feels like we can just shut out the whole world when we are together in the car.  Sam and I and the road before us.

Busted out at least 3 errands on my way home that afternoon and hit the floor running coming in the front door.  Hugs and kisses, of

course.  Nothing sweeter than having Sam push me up against the wall for several "Kiss Her Like You Mean It" kisses.  Those are the best.  Then it is time for Ella to slam dunk several beers and kick into chore mode!



I noticed that Sam had not emptied the dishwasher which he usually does if we flip it on before we leave for work.  That's OK.  No big deal; he had to go the bank on his lunch to get cash for the trip.  "Let's just get it emptied together," I said.  We both started,

still chattering about tomorrow morning.  As we finished up, I moved to put away some glassware around in the dining area.  When I returned to the kitchen, I meant to load the dirty dishes that had been sitting on the counter back into the empty machine.  But the dirty ones were gone, and so I asked Sam where they went.



You can probably see what's coming.  Sam had put all the dirty dishes and flatware back in the cupboards and drawers.  I made a face and an impatient noise.  Then I opened a drawer and cupboard, but there wasn't really a way to tell.  He made an impatient noise, as well, and then some remark which I cannot even recall.  I could tell I should just bite my lip and shut up.  But within 2 seconds I countered with a smart-ass retort, determined to have "The Last Word."

Big mistake.  How dumb could I be?!  It wasn't even that important; I should have just laughed and blown the whole thing off.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing.  Quick as a bullet, Sam decided to demonstrate that "hind-sight" was exactly what he intended.  My hind end and his sight.  I was flat over the counter above the dishwasher with jeans down before you could say, "clean or dirty?"

Sam grabbed the closest thing he could find, a big bamboo spatula, and went to work.  For a second I thought maybe this might just end up a happy spanking; kitchen spankings are usually fun.  I discarded that thought about 5 seconds in.  He was pissed off and proceeded to explain that to me over a good long while.  How I

needed to keep in mind how I should speak when something doesn't go right in Ella's world.  He diligently cautioned me about a positive attitude during our little road trip.  He even said if this happened during our drive, he would be happy to pull right over and provide a reminder!





What?!  Pull over?  In the truck?  Later I recalled someone using the term "spatulated" (Was it Katie T?), and that really says it all.  I came over to Sam's way of thinking very soon.  I apologized profusely for having a short fuse and wanting "The Last Word." 

After another minute or two, Sam finally said, "OK.  I think my

work is done here.  Just wanted to be sure you would still feel this when we climb into the truck tomorrow."  That's my Sam.  So thoughtful and attentive to my needs.

Dateline.... Friday morning - Yes, I certainly could feel his work all the way to our destination.  Absolutely positive outlook on our weekend and respectful as hell.  By the way, I never did figure out what dishes were dirty, but we haven't come down with any deadly gastric issues.  In the future I will try to ignore that troublesome Ella instinct to always want.........

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                                    last 

                                   word.