Jumping to conclusions

I was up at the rescue last Saturday.  I was supposed to be there just for an hour or so (one of my favorite alums, a severe macaw I've talked about here before, was coming up for a visit), but wound up staying a couple of extra hours.  I wanted to talk with a couple who was adopting their first macaw (another one of my favorite birds; I pictured her here and here) to answer their questions and help to ensure a smooth transition for her, and then I had to interact with all of my favorite parrots and customers -- a visit can quickly become a time suck!

Thomas was working that morning, but called me as he was leaving work.  I promised to come home quickly, but see the preceding paragraph for why that didn't materialize.

By the time I got home, he'd gone grocery shopping and was near the end of washing the kitchen and living room floors.  I gave him a hug and told him I was so lucky to have married the best husband ever.  Instead of nicely accepting the compliment, his response:

"What bird did you take home today?  Another budgie?"

I think he may have been a bit disappointed when he realized I was empty-handed and just legitimately thanking him.