A man in Chicago calls his son in New York the day before
Christmas and says, I hate to ruin Christmas this year, but I have
to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years
of misery is enough.
Pop, what are you talking about? the son screams. We cant stand
the sight of each other any longer, the father says. Were sick
of each other, and Im sick of talking about this, so you call your
sister in Atlanta and tell her.
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. Like
hell theyre getting divorced, she shouts, Ill take care of
this.
She calls Chicago immediately, and screams at her father, You are
NOT getting divorced. Dont do a single thing until I get there.
Im calling my brother back, and well both be there tomorrow.
Until then, dont do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME? and hangs up.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. Okay, he
says, theyre coming for Christmas and paying their own way.