"I can't see you tonight. I have to wash my hair."

It was the oldest excuse in the book, but I fell for it, just like I fell for her.

"How about tomorrow night?"

"That's when my favorite show is on."

"Great! We can watch it together."

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"It's my sister's favorite show too. We make plans to watch it once a week. It's our little 'sister-time' together. We get in our pajamas and make a huge bowl of popcorn before the show comes on."

"You're not trying to give me the brush-off, are you?"

"No. Honest. I'm busy this week. And before you ask, I'm busy the next night too. I have to study for my psych exam."

I figured she would probably ace her psychology test - she was beginning to psych me out. I lost track of which day of the week we were discussing. Maybe that was her strategy - turn me down enough times until I got confused enough to give up.

"Well, I'm beginning to get the impression that you're trying to nip our little relationship in the bud. Didn't you have a good time on our last few dates? I thought we were getting along."

"We ARE! I'm telling you the truth. If you don't want to believe me..."

"No, no, no... I believe you. I just find it a little unbelievable."

"That doesn't make sense. How is that any different than not believing me?"

"I'm sorry. I mean, I find it unbelievable that you can be so busy, that's all."

"Well, I am. Maybe we can go out after I take my test."

"Yeah! That's a good idea! If you get a good grade, we can celebrate!"

"And if I don't?"

"Then we can get drunk. And you can forget all about it."

"I'm not so sure I agree with your approach to dealing with life, but I like it!"

"Then it's a date?"

"Well, that's almost a week away already."

"What do you mean 'a week'? It's only 3 or 4 nights, by my count."

"I forgot to tell you – I have to finish my term paper in a week."

"Psychology?"

"What do you think?"

"Hey! I've got an idea! Maybe I can help you with your studies."

"How? Did you study psych too?"

"No, but maybe I could be your guinea pig, sort of a patient."

"I don't think so. Besides, that's more like psychiatry, not psychology."

"What's the difference?"

"I don't have time to explain it over the phone."

"Maybe you could explain it to me over dinner."

"I told you I'm busy."

"You can't be too busy to eat, can you?"

"Just about. Besides, you wouldn't want me to eat and run, would you?"

"Why don't I call you again in a couple of days when you're not too busy?"

"Alright. Bye for now."

Just before she hung up, I could hear a faint male voice in the background, "Who was that, Dear?"

Story and Cover Illustration Copyright © 2021 by Michael DeFrancesco