Charlotte drives a wedge.

He got it!……! The news I’ve been waiting for and the answer I had hoped would not come: The bank in Charlotte, North Carolina has just offered Michael the prestigious job he just can’t refuse. Now it’s his turn to say, “Thanks, I‘ll take it, I can’t wait to start my job on a provisional basis and lead your company into glorious hegemony before lesser banking giants in the grand New South, but my wife and two children will come only if California falls into the sea, and by the way, I am co-owner and Chief Financial Officer of a dynamic and growing clothing company located in said state and have no intention of making a clean break from hearth, home or preexisting employment.” I was hoping he could just memorize that line and repeat it verbatim when he meets with his Human Resources representative today. And I reminded him of this a few times on the way to the airport. He said he’d take it under advisement. I’m not sure, but I think he might have been snickering a little bit when he was pretending to clear his throat. Ok Michael, go ahead and mock Maddie, but just wait until you catch the look on their faces when you tell them you’re thinking part-time and three time zones away for your new career.

I could spend more time worrying about his day in Charlotte and replaying in my mind what I what him to say, that he attach so many conditions that their heads start to spin, but I know he’s got to do it his own way and there may be some concessions that I’m not going to be comfortable with. BUT MOVING TO CHARLOTTE IS NOT AN OPTION! NEVER! EVER! (I just won’t go.)

I decided that I wouldn’t wait any longer to let Kerin know what’s going on, that Michael doesn’t have a sick aunt (or was it uncle? Cousin?) he’s been flying back and forth to visit. I was going to shock her with the Charlotte news while at the same time giving her a much-deserved promotion, but I do need to work on a few more details with Michael before making that part official.

I decided to tell Kerin of Michael’s plans over lunch at Santé, the restaurant at the Fairmont Mission Inn Sonoma (www.fairmont.com/sonoma) and said we’d finish with a manicure at the beautiful spa. Well, we were barely seated before Kerin told me that she knew that things have been strained between Michael and me, and that if we were getting a divorce (!!) we didn’t have to worry about her – she was loyal to both of us and wouldn’t choose sides. She said she believes in Red House and wants to stay on - regardless of our marital status. Whoa! She seemed relieved, but also a bit embarrassed when I told her what was really going on, like she should no longer trust her perceptions. I disagreed; she’s spot-on except for this instance. And anyway, I can imagine how the Charlotte trips must appear to the only other person in the office. Kerin hopes the bank job does work out for Michael. I tried to agree. Meanwhile, we enjoyed our lunch and subsequent paraffin dips. We both chose vibrant shades of red for our fingernails, as if to signal that we too are changing things up.