April surprise

Judybat picked up our taxes from the local neighborhood accountant this week and immediately called me.

JB: "How much do you think you're getting back?"

AR: "This is a trick question, right? Am I getting anything back?"

JB: "Yes, something. How much?"

AR: "Um, maybe $600? Is that too high?"

JB: "Yes. Guess again."

AR: "$1,000?"

At this point, Judybat began snickering. "Try $12,000."

Stunned silence from me. And then, it hit me: "I'm buying a laptop!"

JB: "I knew you were going to say that. We should talk about that."

AR: "Talk? Talk?? What's to talk about? We're loaded! Or, at least, I'm loaded. Heh."

JB: "We're putting in new windows upstairs. We're replacing the carpet. All those things cost money, remember?"

AR: Whine. Sulk. Pout. End of conversation.

The bottom line: I am getting a heap of cash back from the IRS because, in the past year, I turned into an adult, with a mortgage and a kid and child care bills. And I cannot spend any of that money because . . . I'm an adult.

This stinks.