I pity da fool!

So, last year I think I went a little mild on Kyle for April Fools' Day, if you recall. I hear from his Mom that he used to be a regular old prankster, even extending the holiday to April Fools' Month, but I have seen nothing of it in our long, tedious years of marriage. (joking, but just about the tedious part) Actually, as he scooped up his enchiladas for dinner, he did compliment them and suggested he would omit his usual generous coating of creole seasoning (because it tends to bother me). I was flattered, but "April Fools!" Yeah, I fell for it. But before that...

This afternoon I knocked on his door (Kyle works from home with a cold, claustrophobic, dimly-lit, occasionally arachnid-inhabited corner of our laundry room functioning as his office. Bless his little heart.) and asked him if he was sitting down. Then I asked him not to be upset and/or freak out, if possible.

Then I flashed a little bit of this


and then, through my nervous laughter, he laughed, cried, buried his face in his hands, refused to dance with me (although a great jazz song was playing), stared at the computer screen with a blank expression, and wondered aloud in exasperation, "How is this POSSIBLE?!"

I could've let it go on longer, but honestly I wasn't expecting him (the pranksta gangsta of former days, remember) to succumb to my trickery whatsoever, and I was starting to feel guilty about the immense range of negative emotions I was subjecting him to.

I subtly directed him toward the calendar, and then the gloating began. I'm still gloating, clearly. I am pleased as mmmm berry pie that those fourth grade acting lessons made themselves useful in today's performance (I was able to tear up a bit through my awkward giggles and attempts at comforting Kyle, although the sight of him might've made anyone cry). I was giddy with my success for most of the rest of the day, and for the record, Kyle was quite impressed (after being enormously relieved) and harbors no hard feelings.

I'd like to thank The Dollar Tree for providing the affordable prop that made this joke possible, as well as my very preggo friend M for donating her pee. And also I'd like to thank Kyle for not actually getting me pregnant.