Dissociated Thoughts

That's a MAN'S Answer!

"Journalistic Intentions"  2/1/22
Prompt from Grab Bag - "That's a man's answer!"

Poking the Bear

“That’s a man’s answer,” she says out of the blue while they are watching television one night.

“What?” he asks, confused.

“That’s what she said.”

“What the hell are you talking about?!” His irritation begins to echo in his voice.

“You know…”

“No, I don’t know!”

“Yeah, you do.”

“You are such a weirdo!”

“Takes one to know one!”

“Come on babe, grow up.”

“Nope. I don’t have to.” Mimicking him, she says in her best man voice, “I do what I want when I want!”

“Don’t start using my words against me. You’re being an ass.”

“Everyone’s got one.”

“This is how arguments start. You’re being annoying.”

“I know, I know. ‘Don’t piss you off,’ right? Lighten up. I’m just messing with you.”

“What you’re doing is poking the bear. This is going nowhere!” he says as he turns up the volume on the TV.

“Whatever. And THIS is poking the bear.” She keeps teasing as she pokes him in the side. The look on his face changes to one of anger and she knows she’s gone too far. “Alright,” she says. “You win.” She moves to sit in the recliner across the room and sighs resignedly. He grabs another beer while she picks up her laptop and they finish the night in their own separate worlds, just feet apart.