Tourist

         “So, explain to me why I can't go on this trip!” That was my husband, who was very stubborn on what he wants to do.
         The nice young man he was yelling at explained very calmly, “This is a trip that's not for a tourist, we only want people who can fully appreciate and actually handle what goes on.”
         That really made him mad, and his voice cracked with rage, “WHAT?!? I'M NOT JUST SOME TOURIST THAT HAS NO CLUE ABOUT ANYTHING! I'VE BEEN TO 5 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FOR MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESS. WHAT IS IT THAT LABELS ME AS NOT BEING ABLE TO HANDLE THIS?”
         The man sat there, taking in what was dished out at high volume. When he spoke, it was at a volume that forced both of us to lean in close to hear. “It's good to hear that you are well traveled. However, that doesn't mean that you have ventured any farther than your place of business. You might actually be able to handle it, but there was a meeting last week that determined the capability of the participants. I'm sorry if you were left out, but safety means that I must say no.”
         My husband blushed as he realized this logic and turned to walk away with his head hung down. I turned back to the man and said, “You really shut him up.” My cell phone jingled with the sound of a text message saying: “Hny iv gon 2 the hotel ill prbly b aslp whn u get bck.” I tapped out an acknowledgment, smiled at the man, and said, “I guess I don't have to worry about him thinking I left him.”
         We both laughed as we headed towards the bus for what my husband would call “The Magical Mystery Tour.” Boarding, I thought back to the 17 different countries that my dad's work required us to live in and the 7 languages that such a world-spanning childhood taught.