SILENT WORDS

We decided together not to wait any longer. Half a day was already shot. It’s mostly her fault. Why can’t she stand up to Mr. Lathrum? I know she loves her job but he does foul up our lives.

Why didn’t Benjamin order our plane tickets? I did all the preliminary work, even wrote it down for him, American Airlines Thursday, April 12, Flight 417 to DC, arriving 8:45 a.m. I thought he did it. Mr. Lathrum approved the trip as long as I finished the last three chapters of Arlene Jamison’s book before I left and have e mailed him my critique. We agreed I could and would do that. Darn that husband of mine. He’s such a jerk.

O.K. Let’s go home. There are still two stand bys ahead of us. No sense waiting for a cancellation. It ain’t gonna happen. If Cassie told me Mr. Lathrum gave the ok nod, I didn’t hear her.

Cell phone in hand I called my Mom. ‘Ma, we aren’t coming today. Don’t go to the airport for us. Big shot Benjamin didn’t get our tickets. Put your onion meat loaf in the freezer. I’m madder than you!’

I heard that call. The Old Witch is rampaging around her kitchen. She must have asked Cassie when we are coming and Cassie is going to ask me. Why? Cassie knows I can go next Tuesday. Why didn’t she tell her mother that then? Cassie had better realize that if we don’t go next week the cherry blossoms will be gone and my Holocaust Museum pass will expire. I guess I have to remind her. I’m going to ask at the desk about next week’s flight.

What is that man doing now? If he is going where I think he is going, he’ll be dust before morning. Stop! Stop! Benjamin, don’t you dare ask again for stand by. I already told my mother we aren’t coming today and I put all the blame on you.

I don’t care what Cassie wants to do. I bought an extra Holocaust ticket for her mother and will lose that too if we’re not there by Tuesday. I hope that meat loaf freezes hard and Ma forgets to thaw it.

What did my husband do without asking me? What’s he waving at me? It looks like he has tickets in his hand. Let him go himself. I’m not calling Mom again.

Cassie and her mom are going to be happy, we’ll be there in time to see the cherry blossoms. Tuesday the 17th. I’ll spring for every dinner. I’ll see the horrors and the memories at the Museum.

He did it. I can’t go next Tuesday. Benjamin, Benjamin. I’m working for Mr. Lathrum five years and you still don’t know that is the day I get my weekly assignment? I’m due some sick leave time. I can fake it.

Benjamin tells me all the time he loves me. He’ll do it for me. He’s such a good liar.