"Hesh, where is your business plan?" It was a question I expected from my banker, but not from my wife. She tried to sweeten it by adding, "honey?" It didn't help. I looked at her in disgust. I realized I had created a monster.
Let me explain. I had encouraged Sue to go back to school. The kids were entering middle school, she was bored with car pooling, and we also could use the extra money.
I told her not to limit herself to speech therapy, her profession before having children. I suggested she see a career psychologist. To my surprise, she scored very well in finance. I think it related to her compulsiveness for details. Then, as always, luck played its part.
The business school was under pressure to bring more women over the age of 40 into its mid-career MBA program. Sue applied, was accepted, and a year later she had an MBA (and I am proud to say she finished in the top 10 percent of her class).
But then she crossed the line. Sue started getting involved in my business. We always had a non-verbal agreement. She stayed out of my business, other then answering the phones when my secretary took a three-month maternity leave. And I stayed out of her gourmet kitchen. She hated all those husbands who thought they could star in their own cooking shows on cable TV.
And yet, she just could not let this one issue pass her by. I thought I had found manna from God again. I was ready to bet all of this year's profits on the acquisition of my competitor's inventory. The guy was liquidating his company after 20 years in business. Sue saw this as a sign that future growth was improbable. I, on the other hand, saw it as an opportunity to buy low, sell high, and pocket a hefty profit.
She reminded me of some of my other purchases that were real dogs. I counter punched, reminding her of the one killing I had made; that deal had paid off the mortgage on our condo at the beach.
Sue continued to pepper me with questions about projected sales, potential competition from China, warehousing costs, and rising interest rates. All the while she was putting the numbers into a spreadsheet on her laptop.
She flipped it around, and showed me the results. Her projections showed that I had miscalculated. She thought I would be so proud of her work. Instead, I stormed out.
She followed me upstairs. "Don't clam up," she yelled. "Remember what Walter (our marriage counselor) told you. Stop distancing yourself. Tell me what you really feel. Say it to me right now."
"OK," I blurted out. "Stay out of my business. When I started, I had no help. I did it all by myself. Sure, I made mistakes, but I just kept on working harder.
"Now you want to get involved, use all your MBA smarts to improve the business? And who will get all the credit? You."
She continued her ranting "My God, I married you because I thought you really respected me as an equal. Now I realize you are jealous. You're just like your friends. You're afraid I am smarter than you; and you can't deal with it."
Just as quickly she calmed down and asked, "Honey, how can we fix this problem? I love you too much to let this get between us."
"Let me cook Sunday night dinner," I said. "I have this great brazed-beef recipe."
Her response was quick and emphatic, "Hell no. Stay out of my kitchen."
Hesh Reinfeld writes a syndicated business humor column. You can read additional examples of his columns on his website: http://www.heshreinfeld.com. Or contact him at hesh1@comcast.net
One minute you seem like lovesick turtledoves teasing, laughing and... Read More
In my e-book, How to Build Relationships That Stick, I... Read More
IntroductionHave you ever heard or have you ever seen, father-son;... Read More
Whether you are single or married, we all need luck... Read More
1. How do I know when I've met my Soul... Read More
Did you know that it is not necessarily your looks... Read More
How often have you had the experience of connecting with... Read More
Every person that thinks something is amiss in their relationship... Read More
You have reached the age where you can start thinking... Read More
Why is it that depending on others to fulfill our... Read More
Many of us stumble into marriage and then continue to... Read More
Looks like everyone wants to sue someone right? Well, I... Read More
"We strengthen a muscle by using it, and that is... Read More
Secrets of the Opposite SexMany jokes, problems, and conversations revolve... Read More
As there are different types of women, there are different... Read More
When a guy gets turned down over and over again... Read More
Are Office Romance's really that bad? The answer is ?..it... Read More
Do you remember when, as a small child at a... Read More
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this Third day... Read More
I was sitting in my sanctuary in my back yard... Read More
Relationships are really what makes the world go 'round, aren't... Read More
Every woman dreams of meeting that special man that knows... Read More
In Homer's Odyssey (a Greek Myth) sailors were lured to... Read More
If you are looking for it, you can find relationship... Read More
We all heard the report of a prisoner escaping after... Read More
How often do you think about what you are going... Read More
How "powerful" are you?Do you ever cover up how you... Read More
Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve... Read More
There are several things you can do, especially when your... Read More
We all feel angry from time to time, but feeling... Read More
What does real love look like? The way we act... Read More
When it comes to giving a romantic gift, it's not... Read More
"The important thing to remember when it comes to forgiving... Read More
Francine Bonnecelli* swore off relationships the day her husband of... Read More
There is an old expression, which may sound trite, but... Read More
As a betrayed partner this was one of the first... Read More
Ask any single adult what qualities he or she wants... Read More
A friend of mine recently commented on the amazing number... Read More
What is a relationship? What does a relationship mean? There... Read More
So often in the bloom of a new romance we... Read More
"We don't have to wait till Valentine's Day to think... Read More
In order to improve relationships, many people have increasingly turned... Read More
People who have been swept off their feet know the... Read More
Most single guys are settled in their life. Their mornings,... Read More
Here are a few observations on marriage and relationships.Information ExplosionJust... Read More
"If he comes we welcome, If he goes we do... Read More
I'm always dumbfounded when someone walks up to me and... Read More
A social support network is a group of people who... Read More
Recently I had the opportunity to interview my personal favorite... Read More
Sometimes the people who are the closest to us, our... Read More
Should coming from the same background be a major issue... Read More
When starting a new relationship, we usually adopt a subconscious... Read More
The next morning he /or she is gone. And because... Read More
When starting a new relationship, many women (and men as... Read More
Finally, after all of the hard work you have done... Read More
Have you ever been at a loss to think of... Read More
Welcome to Dumpsville. Population - you!You've been dumped for a... Read More
As a somewhat older gentleman (but still fairly good looking... Read More
Jealousy, unfortunately it seems to pop up sometime in even... Read More
This is a common concern in our society for single... Read More
It's not working. Your relationship with your partner is not... Read More
Many women mistakenly believe they need to hire a private... Read More
Edith Piaf remains an icon and her best loved song,... Read More
Ever since the women's movement began, women have empowered themselves... Read More
So often when we think of our ideal mate we... Read More
Love is exciting, and when a relationship is new, almost... Read More
Relationship |