Mike wants 2 H8 the house

Mike has sum more 2 tell abt lying in [MY] bed w/Dee discussing the idea of buying the Stibbs house:

April,

Little sis. When you are a married man, you grow accustomed to those little signals your wife gives you that allows you to communicate nonverbally. For example, when my wife Deanna really wants something, she touches me. And I don’t mean the naughty touching you are thinking about. I mean, little touches on the arm, or on the shoulder, or she will hug me from behind. Those are the sort of touches you take for granted during your courtship years, but once you are married you find they magically disappear until the moment comes when your wife is trying to persuade you of something. Of course, by then most husbands have gone so crazy from the lack of physical contact they would do almost anything for their wife. Those men however, do not know what I know, which is, postpone giving your wife what she wants for as long as possible. That way she will keep on touching you.

For example, after dad unloaded the bombshell that he would help us buy a house, Deanna and I were lying awake in bed staring at that thing you have on the ceiling which says, “ANGRA MAINYU was here!!”, when I said to Deanna, “I ‘ve just quit my job, Deanna. We can’t buy a house now!” Deanna had her arms around her pillow, their usual place, and said, “We have your advance, our savings---and my job is secure.”

We’ve been through this argument several times before. Once we pay taxes on my advance, there might be $15,000 left and our savings amounts to $20,000. A total of $35,000. That’s not enough for closing costs and a 10% down payment on a house in Milborough, where the minimum house price is somewhere around $400,000. There are less expensive houses in the suburbs of Toronto, but Deanna refuses to live there, so that only leaves the option of renting, which does not require a substantial downpayment, and then trying to save up more money to afford the place Deanna wants. Although my father offered to help us with the mortgage, I know dad well enough from his financial dealings with Gordon Mayes and Lawrence Poirier, any money he gave us for a down payment would come at a heavy price. I only borrowed $1000 from mom for 3 months back in 2003, and I paid a heavy price in public humiliation from that.

Deanna persisted though and said, “We can’t live with your parents and keep looking at apartments!—A house is a good investment!” Then she let go of the pillow and she touched my arm. The electric thrill of a feminine touch jolted through me. When had I last felt it? When I got my advance? When I quit my job? I wasn’t sure, but I could feel myself weaken. The obvious answer to Deanna’s argument was, “If you would just pick an apartment, we could move out from my parents.” But instead I said, “It’s such…a risk!” Deanna must have felt I had conceded because she removed her hand. I had to counter with an argument to let her know she hadn’t won just yet.

I said, “We don’t know what Mr. Stibbs will be asking. We haven’t even been inside! How do we know if that house is right for us?...Besides---it’s on 3 lots! We’d be paying a fortune just for the property.” That was so much talking, I could almost see my words in front of me. It had the desired effect. Deanna put her hand on my shoulder and said, “We could sell some of it!---At least, let’s check it out!” I had to hold back something. I couldn’t say, “Alright. We’ll buy and sell the land.” That would give her immediate victory and she would withdraw once again.

I said, “Fine., We’ll check it out.” That gave her a glimmer of hope for the future, and at the same time, allowed me the possibility of refusal. I turned over in bed facing away from Deanna. I couldn’t let her see the nervous look on my face. Was she going to stop touching me? But she didn’t stop touching me. She put her arm around me. Success! I might get snuggled all night long! I thought to myself, “I hope we hate the place!” The more I hated it, the more touches I was going to get. However, I am sure Deanna was thinking, “I hope we love it!!” so she could stop having to touch me.

Remember, little sis, after you get married to Gerald, withholding your touch can influence your man to give you what you want, but you may have to pay the price with a long and protracted argument as Gerald tries to get as much touching out of you as possible.

Love,
Michael Patterson

Mike, that is so, so sad abt yr desperation 4 touch. But no sympathy 4 yr stubborn attitude abt the house. How 'bout U try having an open mind when U go C it, eh?

Apes