I was trying to read.
It wasn't that good a book, nor interesting, But it WAS a book and I was reading it, and Ellie was asleep and the night was young. Well, it was 10 pm.

Doug kept coming in and out of the kitchen. Asking me this. Then that. Then this again. Little inanities. Finally I slapped the book down.
"WHAT" I lowkey exploded.
"What what?"
"What do you want? Do you want to talk? Are you bored? What? What can I help you with?"
"Nothing" he said. "Nothing. I was just seeing what you were doing."
"I'm reading" i said a little sarcastically. Funny too. But sharper then I meant to. "Well, I was TRYING to read."
"yeh, ok" he walked out.

I went into the living room. Sorry for being such a pill the last couple of days. Contrite because my house is fabulously, gorgeously, toilet paper in the shape of a rose and the baseboards dusted clean. Thanks to my husbands Cristmas gift.

"You hate your wife" I said. As I climbed up next to him and tried to wedge my butt, Ellie's pink blanket and the book all into the tiny ledge of couch left over next to his hip.
"Which one?" he absently replied, starring intently at the television.
"Me. I know you hate me." I whined. Pathetically.
"I don't hate you." he nudged over, making room. "Why would I hate you."
"Because I'm annoying" I propped the book open on his stomach.
"Oh please. I knew you were annoying when I met you"
I slapped him.
I began to read.
He started talking again. While watching tv.
I closed the book, he stopped.
I opened it, he started again.
i closed, he stopped.
Opened, talked.
Finally I closed the book, put it on the coffee table and stared at him. Just stared. Intently.
He looked down.
"Is your book no good?" he asked.
"It's fine."
"Well what's up?"
"I thought maybe you needed attention."
"Yeah but not when it's on me"

We have a little joke, he and I. My husband can walk around me a dozen times a day without saying anything. Unless I'm quiet. Then he'll walk up and ask me a series of questions touching virtual every topic until finally he his the verbal jackpot - and I start blabbing about something...at length. Then he leaves the room.
"Why did you walk away?" I'll ask
"Well once you start talking, I know you're fine."