And now...what?

So. The Man remembered the anniversary.

The card with the flowers said: "Happy anniversary. Always there in my heart and mind. Love, The Man xxx"

(well, obviously the card itself didn't read The Man. I mean, he's old, but hopefully not too senile to remember his own name).

And once again I find myself wondering... now what? I suppose a polite thank you note is in order (being aggravated to a point of homicide is still no excuse to forget one's manners. And if we lose our sense of etiquette, that glorious beacon of civilization- what are we left with? Essex?). Not on monogrammed, lavender-scented stationery, mind you, but a short, to-the-point e-mail. I don't understand what his goal is. We have seen and done all this so many times it's starting to look like a Britney Spears choreography. 

Luckily I had my Judge Judys on stand-by.

"This is all just a game in which he's just made his latest move to mentally fuck you up", a friend pointed out in her always appreciated caustic manner. So...how was I to time mine? 

Should I send the e-mail straight away with my emotions still raw and raging inside me (and risk letting all that show- possibly even begging for a second third fourth chance)? Or should I hang on to my cool, give it some time  as I calculate the next move and let him dangle for a while? But then another friend pointed out how the last option wouldn't be terribly lady-like behaviour. 

And as I couldn't possibly let my inner Hyacinth Bucket down I did send him that e-mail. Short, just like his long-term memory. Void of any emotions, just like his heart. "Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."

And as soon as I hit the send- button... my phone rang. I recognized the foreign country code. It was The Man. "Don't answer it!" the first friend said. And I did contemplate doing just that- for whole 3 seconds. And then I (raw, emotional and still raging) picked up the phone.