Chat with Deb—Pretty Good Kisser

I meant well! Seriously! (That counts, right?)

Deb (left) and me in 2008, when I had more hair and most of it was dark (photo by J. Fred Herlocker)

My wife indulges in —shall we say—good-natured ribbing of her husband. So if I am just talking along and not paying attention:

ME: …you are an excellent planner, awesome hugger, and pretty good kisser! So—

DEB: Wait! I am a “pretty good” kisser? That’s all?

ME: What? Well, that’s not bad, right?

DEB: Oh, so now I’m “not bad”?

ME: No, I mean yes, that’s—

DEB: Wow. Twenty-five years we’ve known each other, and here, now, I find I’m basically just a mediocre kisser. (puts on sad face)

ME: I never said—

DEB: But an awesome hugger. I guess I have that going for me. (sighs)

She does this.

Conversation with My Wife (118)

And the next day, when we’re heading off somewhere.

ME: I’ll drive.

DEB: Good idea. I mean, who wants to be driven somewhere by someone who’s a (sigh) horrible kisser?