Weapon of Choice

I have found that over the years my best weapon to get myself out of any potential problems has always been my mouth. Not that I often have to talk myself out of trouble but I can usually talk someone else out of trouble. They calm down and the matter is resolved. I just never know when the problem is going to surface and you have to be prepared. Case in point — I am driving down the highway and my wife for obvious good reason is talking on my passenger ear side, making a point and correcting me on something I was once again wrong with. Her point was well-articulated as they normally are, and I agreed. I capitulated (surrendered) and told her, “Point made, no need to continue her words of wisdom.” Problem is, after I concede she wants to do a victory lap and carry on for another 30 seconds.  As I am in the habit, after 15 seconds I will finally turn my head for eye contact and verbally wave the white flag indicating I agree, no need to continue. Around the 30-second mark, if she carries on with the victory lap I will snap. Now she’s ticked and comments, “Well, I guess we are off to a bad day, are we?” Without hesitation (don’t know where this came from, husband instincts or police training), my immediate response was, “Even a bad day with you is always a good day for me.” I get a smirk indicating she’s happy with that.  Inside, I am giving myself high fives. (“You da man, where the hell did that come from? Great comeback.”)  You never know when your training comes in handy. Husbands in the valley, feel free to plagiarize.