Discretely so as not to be heard, ‘You’re just jealous’ I smilingly mouthed in response. 

She reciprocated the silent exchange with ‘You wish!’

—

We just finished having lunch with the girls and were on our way back to Bette’s house.  Premature of our usual exit she turned to get off the interstate.  

I was puzzled.  “Where are we going?”  I was also curious.

Playfully moving her eyebrows Bette confirmed, “Shopping.” 

‘Shopping’ I thought.

Not groceries since we’d just stocked the shelves a few days ago.  I doubt it was for clothes.  We didn’t necessarily have the same fashion sense or share designer choices.  Although on occasion, she wore my shirts in favor of her wardrobe.

On that note, we were definitely not changing laundry detergent.  Mild as it was, I enjoyed the hint of her scent even after a washing.  Or maybe I was just attuned to everything related to her.

As she turned the car into a street leading to a complex of high-end stores it became apparent what the excursion involved.

Still baffled, I asked “Bette I thought we were paring down and consolidating our furniture. There’s only so much room in that house of yours you know.”

“Honey…”  She let out a quiet sigh.  “For such a beautiful and intelligent woman your memory continues to fail you terribly.” 

Not taking her attention from the road while maneuvering through the street she remarked,  “If I recall, you said yes.  And except for the small task of transporting the rest of your things, we live together.  You have to learn to say ‘our’ house.” 

Releasing her focus from the road with eyewear shifted to rest low on the bridge of her nose, she cast a significant look in my direction. 

She instructed slowly,  “Repeat after me, ‘our’ house.”

I moved to gently push her head to face forward with my left index finger.  My hand moved to rub her upper arm affectionately.  Her sleeveless top afforded an added familiarity to the gesture. 

Thankfully, my seatbelt surrendered adequate freedom of movement as I leaned over and planted a kiss on the spot I’d just touched. 

“Of course.” Chuckling softly I conceded, “Our house.” 

I carried on. “Our house, which is where I expected to be right now.  Our house, that doesn’t need added extras – not that I can think of anyway.  So we’re here because…?”