328

Tax time isn’t something I look forward to, but having them down by a professional lessens my worries. I get my taxes done at Sederburg’s on walk-in Tuesday. My wife says that’s not right. It would be alliterative if it was walk-in Wednesday. No argument there, but it wasn’t my call.

So yesterday I left home early to get my taxes prepared. It’s on a first come first served basis. I arrived at at 6:50 am and to my surprise I was first in line. Doug arrived right at 7:00 am. He works at Sederburg’s and I have known Doug for many years as we are both members of  Saturday Writers. Doug allowed me to come in as long as I didn’t start a fight. I agreed since Doug is twice my size and younger. 

The first thing I did was sign the log in sheet. I chatted with Doug and another guy named Ben who came in right after me. Shortly thereafter an old couple entered. I say old because I’m 74 but they were older. They immediately went the counter to sign the log, obviously not there first time at walk-in (non-alliterate) Tuesday.

The old gentleman stood silent as his wife grabbed a pen and proceeded to fill in the log. It was early so the old guy looked like he could have been sleep standing (a skill older people have mastered). The wife muttered the numbers 328 to no one in particular or at least that’s what I thought. Her husband unmoved by her comment stood tall and quite. And no one responded regarding her comment and why would anyone, after all it wasn’t a question. A few seconds later she repeated the numbers, 328. This time her husband eyes glazed over and his lips quivered as if he was about to speak but no words came forth. 

Then the wife again repeated the number 328 but with a louder and more demanding tone. There was barely any time to respond before she said it a forth time immediately following with the words, your cell phone. That’s when the husband recognized that it was a question he was expected to answer. 

This is a familiar scenario many older couples can understand as they too have had a partner do the same. After telling this story to my wife we have now adopted the phase 328. We now use it anytime we don’t understand what the each other is saying. It’s very efficient and more pleasant than saying, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Just Saying . . .”