Page 48-49: – Of course, there are some risks to one’s marriage at these affairs where many beautiful women are having fun dancing (and often drinking!) with well-dressed and sometimes handsome men. One has to guard against straying, and learn to recognize the warning signs. Once Betsy told me on the way home after a ball, “I was watching you and Cathy this evening. I think she might be getting a little TOO close with you. Suppose you try to avoid her next weekend at the Cotillion.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
I know she was rolling her eyes, even though I couldn’t see that in the dark car. “I mean she holds you a little TOO tight when dancing, then pulls your arm a little TOO high and tight to her – ahem – side when you’re walking off the floor, then leans a little TOO close to your lips when she talks to you — you know!”
“Betsy, if you say so, but I didn’t notice anything like that, I’m sorry,” I replied earnestly, frowning.
My wife sighed audibly and pursed her lips, then tapped her foot on the floorboard before observing, “I suppose that a girl might just be fortunate, to have a husband who’s just so simple and innocent that he cannot tell when another woman is coming on to him! Don’t you think so, Darling?”
“Well, yessum, if you say so. I really don’t know what we’re talking about.”
Was she giving me a compliment, or….
Of course, there were some conflicts with some of those winter dances: they were scheduled by people who didn’t hunt! Deer season, Duck season, Rabbit season, Quail season all occurred November through January! This is an aside, but I highly recommend this for married men who hunt and fish. Listen up, you guys, ’cause your Uncle Bob is going to rescue y’all from a LOT of stress later in Life!
Betsy and I made a simple agreement early on upon settling down at home after the Navy: I told her, “If you really want me to be home for an event, whatever it is, just tell me ahead of time, and I’ll be there when you say. Either not go with the rest of the guys, or come in late, or come back early, from deer, duck, or turkey camp — whatever the occasion is, period. I promise!”
The key here is that she knows I’ll not go, or be back in plenty of time, for her favorite dances or parties; and I know that she won’t ask me to be home for some deal that she’s not particularly charged up about! This works, too, Men: trust me.
What evolved, of course, is that that evening back at home ends in an emotion-filled event that’s hundreds of miles higher than seeing a big buck or gobbler!!!