Chasing the SRE

out of the house is what I plan to do this week! I need to go out of town for a few days, and I prefer to travel when the SRE is also travelling. Since he travels so often, it should not be too difficult to synchronize our travel plans. So, last week our separate itineraries were made, and we were supposed to be returning to Kolkata on the same flight this Saturday. But the powers-that-be decided that this was way too simple, and the SRE was asked to cancel his visits to distant towns.
Long years ago, every summer would see the kids and I leaving the man for a couple of weeks at least, visiting grandparents in different towns. At the time, the SRE was mostly resident, his sister lived about a kilometer and a half away, and he would also manage to feed himself sometimes- I would stir fry and freeze veggies in small packets, which he could pop into a boiling pan of Maggi noodles. I think he managed to cook eggs, too!

I am sure he was quite vague even then, but he seems far more scatterbrained now. I feel that he needs someone to take care of him and make sure that taps and gas cylinders and light/fan switches and air-conditioners are closed firmly and switched off. Even when we come home to an empty house together, and I am taking the key out of my handbag, he will ring the doorbell. I wonder whom he expects to open the door.

I have gently suggested that he move to the company guest house for a few days, but he has decided that going to Durgapur and working over there will suit all concerned. I never thought that the day would come when I'd actually be glad that he will be spending a few days away from home. Talk about a vested interest!