Football Husband

I’ve titled this excerpt, Man balks at football pre-game interruption!!  How many women can relate?

 The commentators had just announced the line-up for the first game when Charlie entered the room. She marched over and grabbed the remote from the side of his chair. Before he could protest, she clicked the off button. 

“What the–?” he gasped. 

“We need to talk. Let’s go for a ride or better yet, let’s grab some umbrellas and go for a walk.” She clapped her hands once like she was breaking a huddle. 

Billy looked at his wife in shock. She turned off the TV! In a panic, he hauled his body out of the chair and lunged for the remote in her hand. “What do you think you’re doing?” 

Charlie side-stepped Billy’s attack and transferred the remote to her other hand. “Billy, we can’t talk with the TV blaring.” She began tapping the remote against her side. 

Momentarily defeated, Billy fell back into his chair. “You could have just muted the volume. I’m missing the pre-game.” Billy heard the whine in his voice but didn’t care. She could have picked another time to talk. 

“It’s the pre-game show. It lasts for two hours. If we leave now we will back in plenty of time for the actual game.” She stepped over to his chair and extended a hand to help him up. 

Billy’s palms began to sweat at the thought of all the vital information he would miss. He sat up and slapped his hands down on the armrests. “I have to watch the pre-game show.” 

Charlie rolled her eyes. “It’s a talk show, Billy. What I have to say is more important. With your heavy football schedule, there won’t be an opportunity later.” 

He ignored the sarcasm. “Yes there will be. There’s a break between the last afternoon game and the evening game. We can talk then.” He had no intention of backing down. 

Charlie stuck her hands on her hips, “Number one, I can’t wait seven hours. Number two, you’ll be toasted by that time. Come on Billy, this is important. Please. I promise I’ll have you back for the first game.” 

Rage exploded in Billy’s brain. “No! I want to watch the pre-game show!” 

Stunned by his outbreak, the remote slipped out of Charlie’s hand. 

Billy saw his opportunity. In one smooth motion, he jumped up and scooped the remote off the floor. Breathing heavily, he collapsed back into the chair. A second later, the TV clicked on again. Pride filled his chest.  

He still had a few moves left.