Nine

“What am I doing over the weekend? Wait…what?!” she asks in a shrill tone.

“Don’t you ever check your voice mails?” He chuckles.  He knows the answer.

“I heard your voice. I called you back,” she answers dismissively.  “Answer me! What do you mean, ‘What am I doing this weekend?’”

“We’re flying up.”

Both of them.  She isn’t thrilled.  He reads her well.  She fakes it.  She squeals.  He makes small talk. 

“I’d love your advice on some good restaurants or places we can check out while we’re up there.  It’s not a long trip—but I’d like to show off the city—and see a different side of it myself.”

She gets it.  She’s going to meet the girlfriend.  He’s going to make sure of that. 

“I can’t wait to see you.”  She isn’t lying.  They’ve only gone 3 years this time.

“I’ll call you when we land.”