Change in Reservations (750 Words)

My wife absolutely loves entering contests. She can't keep track of all of them, so she's been disqualified several times for multiple entries. Still, while all she's ever 'won' is a lifetime supply of spam, she's never let it get her down.

I work for a firm that does financial auditing and business analysis. Last year, our findings greenlit a client's project to open a new luxury spa resort, in the neighboring city of Springfield. Wanting to work out as many bugs as possible before the Grand Opening, they planned a soft opening for the prior weekend. To get enough guests, they offered free packages to the media, and discounted rates to the employees of all the various companies that were involved in the project.

I was about to delete the e-mail when I realized, it was just the kind of thing that my wife was always trying to win.

We had created separate 'mad money' accounts early in our marriage, as I tended to save up, while my wife was always on that quest to reach a perfect $0 balance. There was enough in my account to secretly order a deluxe package for two, including all the extras.

The vouchers arrived at my office in a nice promotional packet, highlighting their 'by invitation only' status, and hyping their Grand Opening. I quickly mocked up a nice envelope and letterhead, included a generic congratulatory message, and mailed the package on my way home.

Then, all I had to do was sit back, wait for it to arrive, and enjoy my wife's excitement.

The only problem was, that never happened. I grew more worried as the date approached. The Monday before, it hit me that she might have mistaken it for more junk mail and tossed it out, so I called the resort. They were happy to void the original vouchers and issue a new set.

I decided that I would just tell my wife that I got a last-minute deal on the package, rather than admit I had tried to fool her. However, I never got the chance. I was barely in the door that night when she announced that she was a last minute addition to a work conference. She would leave early on Friday and return Sunday evening. At that point, I saw no reason to even mention my surprise.

I pushed it out of my mind, until the replacement packet arrived Friday afternoon. I was staring at them when my PA cleared her throat. I looked up to see her standing in the doorway, a worried look on her face. She had always been a great assistant, so I made a decision.

"Hey, Wanda, do you have Chloe this weekend?"

She looked a bit surprised, but answered, "No, it's Gregg's weekend. Why do you ask?"

"I bought tickets to the soft opening of the new resort, but Nicole has a work conference this weekend. I was wondering if you'd like to go instead?"

It was my turn to be surprised, as I watched a blush blossom across her face.

"I would love to go with you."

I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out. When she realized that's not what I meant, she got a panicked look on her face. Silence reigned for a bit, with both of us at a loss for words. Finally, I recovered enough to speak.

"I'm flattered, more than you can imagine. You're high on my 'If I was single' list, but I'm happily married, and I don't see that changing any time soon."

Before she could reply, my phone rang. Since Wanda wasn't at her desk, I answered it myself. It was the resort calling to tell me that a couple had been arrested for trying to use my cancelled vouchers, and I might want to consider getting a secure mailbox.

It was about an hour later when Wanda buzzed me that my wife was on the phone.

"Honey, I need you to come bail me out of jail."

"Why? What happened?"

"I don't know. When I tried to check in at the hotel, they arrested me."

"Where are you?"

"I'm at the police station in Springfield."

The next thing I remember, Wanda was in front of me, a very concerned look on her face.

Smiling at the one woman I could always depend on; I said the first thing that popped into my mind.

"If the offer still stands, I would love to spend the weekend with you."