My son has signed up for tennis this spring. Even the thought of choosing to be outside for an hour or more in scanty attire makes me cringe, but history suggests that temperatures in April could be different than those in February. 

His sister played tennis in high school. She had fun and got some serious exercise. Having never played the game myself, I find the scoring system jumpy, if affectionate. But there is one thing I am clear about. when two people are on the same side, they are supposed to work together. 

John and I are going through growing pains around finances. I am enrolled in a class, and am trying to get up the nerve to do the homework. We are supposed to draft a budget. Frankly, I'm nervous. 

Last weekend during the conference when my brain was somewhat focused elsewhere I got a text alerting me to a possible fraud on our card. There was a charge I did not recognize. It seemed to be time sensitive, and I responded that I did not recognize it. Liquid net, or something. How phony is that? They cancelled the card. 

It did not really occur to me to ask John if he had made it. 

He spent an hour on the phone trying to sort it out, and moved the bill for our website to another card. He says he told me all of this, but I, ah, don't remember. 

The second card company was kind enough to send me a text alert about possible fraud. 

"Those dastardly hackers. They tried the same scam on the other account." My fertile imagination composed scenarios involving dumpster diving, and unearthing both of our bills and running up charges. Since I went to a spiritual growth class yesterday inviting me to believe that even the people I don't like have a story, I conceded that maybe the wrong doers needed medicine. For their mother.

I informed John of the near catastrophe, and my quick action. I expected kudos. But kudos were not forthcoming. Things escalated, and I slammed the door on the way out to do chicken chores. The hens made no comment about finances one way or the other, but enjoyed the unusually generous portion of scratch I poured in their pens, because, ya, I was mad too.

John and I have a joint account, ostensibly because we are a united team. The money concerns are on the other side of the fence. I plan on apologizing later. Hopefully our score will be Odhners- Love.

In the meantime all of my transactions will be with cash.