In April of this coming year, Lauren and I will have been married for twenty-five years. How have we done it? I’m glad you asked. Conversations like the following reveal how.
Tuesday night, I had school committee business to present to the Halifax Board of Selectmen. Lauren volunteered to drive Graham to the church for youth activities. But we were first on the agenda for the BOS, I got done at 6:20, and Lauren asked if I wanted to join in taking Graham. Sure, of course.
We were almost to the church when Lauren said, “So I was thinking we could drop Graham then go back to Market Basket to get some gluten free stuffing and gravy mix for Thanksgiving for Lindsay.”
“Oh, I see. This was a setup the whole time and now I’m trapped.”
“What? Market Basket is the only store that has good gluten free stuff for Thanksgiving, we’re close by, and I thought you might want to go with me.”
“When have I ever wanted to go to the hellscape known as Market Basket?”
“What would you rather do? We have a full hour to kill.”
“I don’t know. Sit in a room on a hard chair and stare at a blank wall, for one.”
“Fine. We don’t have to go.”
“Next, you’ll announce we should start Christmas shopping and go to Old Navy.”
“I know how you feel about Old Navy.”
“And yet that has never stopped you.”
“Fine. Whatever. We can just sit in the car and wait.”
“Oh no. We’re obviously going to Market Basket.”
“Why?”
“Cuz we have to.”
“I never said we have to.”
“You don’t have to say it to communicate it.”
The exciting news for Lindsay is we were so early that we didn’t have to settle for brown gravy—we got turkey gravy.
So there you go, kids. That’s how you do it. Stop here next month for updates on our trip to Old Navy.
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 
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