The office calls ran a bit late due to time difference with the other end. Finally, at 9PM we ambled towards downtown Alpharetta and presently, settled down in one of the Taverns. Some MLB playoff game was playing on the TV and I partook of one of their specialty cocktails.

Back at home, she got busy with the dog who, was unfortunately, fighting an ear infection. And I opened the refrigerator door, somewhat desultorily, I might add, devising ways to kill the aftertaste of the aforementioned cocktail.

There were some nice Indian sweets right in front of me virtually screaming “Take me Take me”. Somehow, the prospect of eating sweets did not appeal to me. Has not had for over three decades. Closed the door and went to the pantry looking for some salty food. Finally, grabbed a few salty nuts and threw them into my open mouth.

As I closed the pantry door, I was swiftly accosted…(I learnt that treating ear infections for dogs does not take as much time as I thought)

“What are you doing?”

“Oh! I was looking to get rid of the drink from the palate”

“There are some good sweets in the fridge”

“Yeah! I saw that.”

“And…?”

This is where I made good on a comeback moment that I had been waiting for. At least a couple of days.

I casually dropped in my answer – “Oh! this lady we both know mentioned to me the other day that I am getting a beer belly”.

Predictably, she laughed out aloud and looked at me. She obviously remembered.

Unpredictably (for her), I did not respond. Just kept chewing those salty nuts nonchalantly.

It had its effect.

The mood started changing like the Fall weather. Slow at first and then rapidly.

The laughter was the first to die. Then the grin got wiped out.

All sorts of doubts started creeping in her mind. That frown said it all.

“WHICH LADY TOLD YOU THAT?”, she demanded to know.

My good job having been done, I went upstairs and made a beeline for the bed.

Went under covers to squelch the squeals of laughter.

Our comforters are pretty thick that way.