Barbra's Bluff
by M.C.


Barbra leaned back in the easy chair and glanced at the clock on the 
wall. " Two thirty in the morning ", she said to herself and sighed. She 
knew it would be at least another hour before Steve came home. He was 
drinking and carousing with his old  college football buddies as usual. 
Barbra knew what he was like when she married him, of course, but she 
thought being married, and now a father, would have matured him. To the 
contrary, he seemed to be staying out even later than before; and 
becoming less responsible  -  if that was possible. As she thought over 
her situation Barbra decided something would have to be done about it. 
She still loved him too much to leave; so what other options did she 
have ?  As she pondered, an idea came to her....and she smiled. 

At around 4:00 a.m. the front door opened and Steve walked in. The first 
thing the six foot four inch, 240 pound man saw when he entered was his 
beautiful five foot two inch, 120 pound wife standing in front of him; 
her arms folded  and a stern look on her face. " Steve, we need to have 
a little talk ", she said. Steve wasn't too concerned, he'd seen it all 
before. Barbra would scold him for being immature and then it would be 
over. " Why can't she just stop nagging me ", he thought to himself. 
This time, however, Barbra said in a quiet but firm voice, " Steve, how 
would you like it if you didn't see me for a few days ? "  Even this 
didn't surprise him. He knew she was pissed off at him, but he also knew 
she wouldn't leave him; not with a three - month old daughter. She was 
bluffing for sure. Maybe it was the alcohol in him, or maybe his 
arrogance  -  or a combination of both  -  that made Steve decide to 
call his wife's bluff. As he towered over her he said , " I really don't 
care if I don't see you for a few days ". Barbra smiled, " very well 
then tough guy, have it your way........ 

Steve didn't see Barbra the next day, nor the day after that. In fact it 
was only towards the end of the third day that the swelling in his eyes 
subsided enough for him to be able to see anything.