My Bad

A friend of mine has recently separated from her husband. I called tonight to chat with her, and he answered the phone. She had gone out to a movie, and he was keeping the kids.

We exchanged small talk. It's a little weird; about like you'd expect. I've seen him a few times now since the split, but we don't openly acknowledge it. I mean, how would you, just in passing like that?

"It's nice of you to let her get out," I ventured.

"We don't have a very good connection right now," he confessed.

I was taken aback by his sudden candor, and a little moved. He sounded sad.

"I know," I said, with all the kindness and sympathy I could muster.

Silence.

"No, I mean something's wrong with the telephone."

I'm still blushing.