Not Sure Where This Is Going

[Niall11]

When W started her new job last fall, one of the highlights was being able to get home early. As she's made friends and developed a crush on OW1, and especially since getting to know potential OW2, she's been lingering at work and coming home later and later.

Yesterday there was a staff meeting until 3:30 and I was surprised to see her walk in the door before 4. Before I could say anything about a schedule for who can go out when, she started talking. Highlights:

--She said she'd gone out with [OW2] Sunday night, mentioning her name for the very first time and calling her "my friend." "I figured you were curious because you came to the front door to look when I got in her car." I reminded her that, when leaving, she told me I had a package on the front porch. I went to get the package and saw a car in the driveway, so naturally I looked at it. I actually thought she had already gone off in her own car.

--She said she has nothing to hide and, in case I'm curious, there's no sexual relationship going on with OW2 or anyone else. (I remember when she denied categorically being interested in anyone else while asking her friend how to initiate a kiss with OW1, so I take this with a huge grain of salt.)

--She said if I wanted to know who she's going out with, just ask. (This is the same W who told me a week ago it was none of my &*@!%# business. I'm not going to ask.)

--She said I seemed upset when she went out Sunday. (I was, but had tried not to show it. She knows me too well.) I said I just need some notice. She thought she'd told me in advance. I said not to my knowledge. She apologized.

--I brought up the schedule and she immediately agreed both to the idea and to my specific proposal, and promised to give me reasonable advance notice.

--She said she hoped I didn't think she was going out too much. Mirroring my words from 10 days ago, she said she is trying to find a balance between having fun and being there for "the family." Said she generally goes out when D2 is going to sleep. Said Sunday she got up early, 4 loads of laundry, cleaned out a closet, worked in the garden, did an art project with D2, made a nice dinner, THEN went out. All I said was, "You got an awful lot done yesterday. It was impressive." She said she thought it had been a bit excessive lately and planned to scale back a little.

--That happened immediately. I am on a neighborhood council and we meet first Mondays at 6. Usually done by 7 or so. She had been pestering me for days about when I'd be home so she could run out to 8 pm dance class with OW2. Yesterday she said she wasn't going to the dance class. She stayed home.

Trouble in paradise with OW2? She'll probably turn around next week and say they're madly in love. Not going to read anything into this.

At least we'll have a schedule.