My workplace is an interesting mix of feverishly driven focused working and chatty (usually demented) conversation. When approaching someone for an idle chat, you never know if you’re going to catch them desperately in need of a mental break and happy to yak, or if you’re going to catch them desperately clacking away on some editorial project or design snafu or production nightmare.

Once, a coworker approached my corner of the world to chat just as I was deeply enmeshed in some bit of editorial insanity. All he got out was, “So did you see the —”

Without turning around, I held up a hand and hollered, “…BUSY!!!” The poor coworker was stunned and crept away quietly.

I will never live this down. Ever. I felt like I was doing everyone a favor — after all, who wants to be the schmuck who interrupts someone when they’re busy, and sits there yammering on as they’re silently cursing you under their breath waiting for you to leave? That doesn’t do anybody any good. I don’t want to be that person, and I certainly don’t want to make anyone else that person. Isn’t it easier to just say that you’re busy, then follow up when you’re not?

Um, well, yes, it probably is better, but hollering BUSY while holding up your hand probably isn’t the most effective way of doing so. The “…BUSY!” joke made at my expense will probably never die. I’m a good sport about it, and I very rarely say “…BUSY!” at work any more.

But the other night I was hard at work on a chapter for the book. It was almost 10pm and I was in a groove and just needed to get a few more paragraphs squeezed out of my tired before I could stop for the night. Then Andreas came home from class.

“Hello!” he said, as he walked into my office. “…I’M BUSY!!!” I hollered, although I think I kept my hands on the keyboard.

Now, while my coworkers may take “BUSY!!” for an answer, Andreas proved that he will NOT. He marched right up and hollered “…AND THAT MEANS I CAN’T GET A KISS?!” Then he forcefully took what he wanted (which would be a tender little peck on the cheek for his totally stunned and put-in-her-place loud-mouthed spouse) and left me to my work. I quickly finished up and slunk my way out the living room to beg forgiveness.

There are those who mistake my outspokenness and Andreas’ quiet resolve as somehow indicative of some larger relationship dynamic. These folks clearly have no idea how completely and totally whipped I am.