Janyce walked into the kitchen, dying for caffeine.

“John, what’s wrong? The coffee maker isn’t working since you made coffee last.”

Silence.

“Hey, did you see what’s going on with the fish? You said you cleaned the aquarium filters. They're all curled up, lying on the bottom of the tank.”

Silence.

“The dogs are barking. I think you left them outside. Didn’t you realize the heat index is over one hundred?”

Silence.

“Well, you sure cleaned the bathtub, like you said you would. Water is splattered all over the toilet seat and floor. I see the mop handle, where’s the mop?”

Silence.

“John, do you need to have your hearing checked? That doctor will check your memory problem as well. I don’t want a deadbeat here who can’t hear or remember anything. It’s bad enough you never answer me when I speak to you.”

John, wearing headphones, noticed Janyce walk into the bedroom.

“My shrink said, ‘Build a wall between y'all and you’ll get along better.’ ”

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