There's Always a Next Time
"What's the point of this, anyway? I thought you liked my hair long."
Michaela sighed, pausing in her snipping. "We went through this last time. I do like your hair long; it's part of you and I could never change that. I'm just giving it a little trim."
"But why?" Sully persisted.
"We are going to the dance on Saturday evening, aren't we?"
"Yes…"
"There's your reason."
Sully turned puzzled eyes towards his wife. "I still don't understand. What's wrong with my hair the way it is?"
"Nothing, it's just…well…I just wanted it to look a little neater for the dance. That's all." She sighed again. "But if you don't want me to…" Michaela closed the scissors and began unfastening the cloth around Sully's neck.
Sully caught Michaela's hand and planted a soft kiss on it. "It's okay, sweetheart. Just…just don't take too much off, okay?"
"I wasn't going to," Michaela replied, retying the cloth and continuing her trimming. "You won't even notice anything is different. I promise."
"Then what's the point?"
"The point is…oh, I don't know anymore," Michaela said, frustrated. "Look, do you or do you not want me to finish trimming?"
"Go ahead," Sully told her. "Just don't take too long. I promised Brian I'd take him fishing."
"I'm almost finished." After a few more snips, Michaela set aside the scissors and turned Sully's head so she could see the full results of her handiwork. "There. That's much better now."
In an instant, Sully had whipped off the cloth and grabbed Michaela's hand mirror. Frowning slightly at his reflection, he asked of his wife, "Are you sure you didn't take too much off?"
Michaela sighed for the umpteenth time. "I'm certain. Trust me." Taking the mirror away from him, Michaela planted a soft kiss on Sully's lips.
"I trust you. And I love you."
Michaela smiled. "I love you, too. I just hope we don't have to go through this next time. You promised me last time it wouldn't happen again."
He chuckled. "Sorry, sweetheart. I just guess old habits die hard. I'll try not to be such a difficult old codger for you next time." Just as Sully kissed his wife again, Brian ran up to them, breaking the couple apart. "Can we go fishing yet?"
Sully shared a smile with his wife. "Sure thing, Brian. Let's go." He stood and followed as Brian raced off to the lake.
"Sully?" Michaela called after him.
He turned around. "Mmm?"
"Maybe there won't have to be a next time."
Sully gave a throaty chuckle. "That ain't gonna happen."
Michaela frowned. "How do you know?"
"Michaela, there's always gonna be somethin' you want me to have my hair trimmed for." He smiled.
Michaela returned the smile. "You know me too well."
"Of course I do." He winked. "See you later, honey."
"There's always a next time," Michaela recited to herself in a whisper.