I haven't actually seen my wife for more than 40 seconds since she went to bed on Thursday evening.  She was at work before I got up on Friday, and I left the house for the evening almost instantly when she got home (that was the 40 seconds).  Saturday morning she was gone before I got up (work again), and I had a babysitter for the kids, so I was gone before she got home.  She's been at work all day today (weekend schedule), so I haven't really seen her for a bit.

I had originally planned to cook a birthday dinner for myself, but I didn't really feel like cooking last night.  Instead, I picked up take out from Outback Steakhouse.  I ordered food for my wife and put it in the fridge for her to eat at her leisure.  My friends (some of them) took me out drinking for my birthday, so I was gone when she got home.  This morning I get a text message from her:

"I got the message u sent, about going out last nite @ 5:50 this am.  Hope u had a good time."

The message in question was sent at 6:30 yesterday evening.

A bit later (lunchtime), I got this message from a lovely woman who I suppose ate only her salad last night:

"Did my steak come from the kids menu?"

I assumed (making an ass, etc., . ..) that she was complaining about the size of her portion.  I responded, "No, but I got you the 6oz. because you barely eat anymore.  I wasn't thinking about you breaking everything up into two meals.  Sorry."  Then I immediately typed in a second message, "I'm probably just ordering pizza tonight.  Are you going out?"  The question was a formality.   She goes out on Sunday nights.

I get a response rather quickly.  Well, quickly if it is responding to both messages.  If it is responding to only one, then it is right on time:

"NO. I thot it was a great idea just about perfect. In fact im gonna eat the potato later"

No?  What did she mean, 'No'?  Was that a response to my query about her nocternal plans?  Or was it a precedentary comment introducing her explanation of how my meal ordering for her was highly fortuitous?  What the fuck?  Now what do I do?

The phone buzzed in my hand and the message from her was:

"Ok and no."

Ah, clarity!  She's okay with pizza for dinner, and she isn't going out tonight.  It's amazing just how much that simple negative response could raise my spirits and improve my day.  She's staying home tonight.