A Rose By Any Other Name Still is not a carnation!
Once upon a time a woman was dating a man who worked in the city of Pittsburgh. The woman and the man had frequent viscious arguments, often resulting in temporary break-ups to the relationship. But the man knew how to remedy the problems caused by these arguments. There are many street vendors in Pittsburgh who sell roses at a very reasonable price. A dozen red roses and all was forgiven, until one day the woman had enough. She was tired of the breaking up and making up game. She met another man who she thought would treat her better. She told the rose bearing man to hit the road. She told the new man that if she never saw a rose again in her life it would be too soon. Big mistake!
Twenty years ago today, the woman and the new man were married. Their relationship has been just as turbulent as the other one, yet for some reason unknown to anyone they are still wed. The woman has long since forgotten her aversion to roses. As a matter of fact, she thought that a dozen red roses would be a lovely anniversary gift. She told her sons as much, and asked them to drop some major hints to their father.
Today the woman got a call on her cell phone while she was at work. It was her husband calling to wish her a happy anniversary. She was surprised, she said. She thought he would have forgotten. He said that a couple of people (their sons) had helped him to remember. The woman became very excited. She was going to get her roses. She could hardly wait to get home from work to see them!
When she eventually got home from work the woman found flowers and a card on the kitchen table, but the flowers were not roses. They were carnations!!
The woman questioned the man about the flowers. This is what he had to say:
"The boys said that you wanted roses, but I remembered that you didn't like them, so I got you these instead."
Of all the things I've ever told him about what I like and dislike he has forgotten just about every one. Why the %*#$ did he have to remember THAT!!!!
I guess that you've figured out by now that the main characters in this fractured fairy tale are myself and "the estranged one." Still working on that odd reconciliation of ours...
