So W did reply to my e-mail just before 4 asking if I could meet her at 8:45 instead of 9 b/c she had an appointment. I said sure in the reply and left it at that.
Around 6 her phone was calling me and it was D who picked up the phone and dialed me on her own b/c she said "she wanted to talk w/ Daddy, so she did." I was very proud of her and so was W. Anyway, D and I talked for a few minutes, then W was on the phone and we talked for over 10 of the 23 minutes of the call. W was nice and she told me about how tired she was from grading papers, how relieved she was that the semester classes ended today, how everything was hectic at work w/ the last day of classes, etc. I just listened and didn't comment when she threw in that her fellow teacher had W "proof-read some documents b/c she was getting a D." I didn't even look to pursue it at all. In fact, wasn't even tempted to do so. I couldn't have said that two months ago.
So, I just let W talk and I offered to be flexible w/ the pickup time tomorrow to make sure she wasn't late to her appointment in the morning. I still haven't asked what type of appointment she has and I won't be doing that one either. I'm feeling better about dealing w/ her. I'm sure this thaw will turn back into the ice storm soon, but I'm not getting too high or too low.
During the call, W told me they had salmon and asparagus for dinner and I commented on how she makes a wonderful salmon. W then said "when I was cooking it, I felt bad b/c I thought I bet you are really missing this." I told her I did miss it b/c she was a very good cook. It ended here, but isn't it a small positive that she was thinking of me when she was cooking tonight?
The call ended and then a bit after 7 I get the 1st of a series of texts from W telling me D had taken her down and her nose was bleeding. I texted back and forth w/ her to check on her nose, if D was ok and if she needed any help. W's last text said D was "freaked out" so I replied asking if I should call to talk w/ D.
Within a minute my phone is ringing and D is on the other end. When I picked up, D was brief, but very loving, and basically didn't want to talk. She tried to hang up the phone a few times, but W was in the background saying "No, no. Talk to Daddy." Eventually, D just gave the phone to W who then was talking to me for the next 10 minutes or so.
I asked her about her nose and let her talk about the story. We did discuss some things about tomorrow and the weekend and then W said something and I took a stab at a compliment that was borderline flirting.
W was talking about her nose being sore, probably swollen and bruised and said jokingly "so if I look ridiculously ugly tomorrow, its your daughter's fault."
I jumped on this and replied w/: "It would take a lot of work for you to be ridiculously ugly. Your nose may be bruised and swollen tomorrow, but you'd still be a long way from being ridiculously ugly. It would take a lot more than that."
I think she was honestly flattered and a bit taken aback. She very sheepishly thanked me for the compliment and I felt it was sincerely given. I may be reading too much into it, but I think she really liked what I said.
I didn't repeat it and I moved the conversation smoothly on to tomorrow's pickup and being flexible w/ the time. We were joking a bit here and there and it went surprisingly well overall. Again, for those of you who have followed me, DON'T WORRY. I'm not getting my hopes up as I know this is just one dip on the ol' roller coaster. However, I'd be lying if I didn't say it was nice. It will go back to all-out war from her end as soon as she realizes she exposed a small crack in her armor, so I'm fortifying the gates and should have the moat completed by morning.
The beautiful thing is tonight's conversations were w/ the W I married. That is the girl who has gone away. It is good to know she's still alive despite being trapped in another woman's body.
