Is There Anything Else You Want to Tell Me About?

We were cleaning out the shelves in the attic today in an attempt to make it more office-like. All last summer and through the winter, we used the space as our club house. We also used it as our storage shed, so this spring clean is an effort to reclaim the space and put it to better use.

Peter was sitting in his chair, near his computer. He was sorting through ancient floppy disks and computer game manuals. I was holding the trash bag and hoping he wouldn't want to hang onto too much sentimental crap.

We were on the last shelf when Peter picked up a bit of plastic packaging that I probably would have thrown away.

Peter: This is tricky. These are the nubs for the tablet pen, so they can't get thrown away.

Me: What tablet pen?

Peter shows me the pen.

Me: You mean you have a tablet?

Peter: Yes.

Me: You bought a tablet?

Peter: Yeah. (Clearly thinking that he'd married a looney.)

Me: How long have you had it?

Peter: I don't know. Couple of months maybe.

Me: Why didn't I know about this? Let me see it.

He produces a sleek-looking large tablet from underneath his desk.

Peter: I don't how you don't know about it. I've used it right in front of you.

Me: No you have not. I'd remember something like that.

Peter: Yes, I have. You were right over there on that bed and I was here working on the tablet.

Me: Yeah, but I was working on my laptop and your back is to me so I wouldn't be able to see what you were doing.

Peter: Well, yes. I have a tablet.

Me: Is anything else you want to tell me about? Secret girlfriend? Affair? Anything?

We later decided that I must have been in Slovenia when he bought the tablet. But still. You think you know someone. You spend nearly every waking, non-work hour with someone. Yet, somehow, he manages to hide a sleek electronic gadget for about two months. I'd write more about this, but clearly I have a new toy to play with.