You Have One Message

Mike was one of the first serious boyfriends of mine who didn’t call me during his work day. Perhaps the others weren’t as busy, or maybe Mike just liked the reprieve, but early in the relationship, this was a cause for concern.

I mean, why didn’t he want to talk to me?

I know now that he is busy, that he doesn’t sit behind the desk from nine am until six pm, that he gets so many work-related phone calls and texts and emails that it’s hard to keep it all straight.

Well, at least I think that is what is going on with him.

So, when he does send me an unexpected email or a text message during the day, it feels special and exciting even when he’s just being silly.

***

On Sunday night, after running to the store to return a movie and to pick up a few groceries, Mike suggested that we catch up on last week’s Top Chef. The episode featured a new line of Healthy Choice meals designed in part by past contestants and other foodies. We’d seen commercials here and there for the product, so I wasn’t surprised when Mike said:

“I bought a couple of those for my lunches this week.”

“Did you get any for me?”

“No, I didn’t think you–”

“Ate lunch?” I said.

We laughed. I wasn’t angry, just curious about how they tasted.

Cut to yesterday afternoon.

Jude was having a moody day, laughing one moment and crying the next. He refused to open his mouth when I tried feeding him his morning oatmeal, and then he proceeded to rub the cereal all over his face. I mean, it was stuck in his eyelashes and behind his ears. This was followed by tears as I tried cleaning the crust from his face.

After breakfast, the day kind of continued with this up-and-down drama. So, it was a treat when my phone buzzed twice, indicating receipt of a text message.

It was from Mike. He said:

“The Healthy Choice meal from Top Chef was TERRIBLE. Healthy Choice, please pack your knives and go.”

It made me laugh, and it also made me feel better about not having a freezer full of unappetizing meals. But most of all, it made me happy to know that he was thinking of me–even if just to tell me that his lunch was crappy.

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