It's not easy knowing she's alone . . . out there

"Big news, Fran. He bit the bullet and decided to let her go on to Tuscany without him."

"He ruled in her favor? She's been spared? Praise the Lord."

Can you hear it? That tone in her voice?

"Ease up, babe. There's no need for that. She's going. He's flyingback to work and she's taking the train to Rome and then on to thatfancy beet farm for a few days of R&R. Alone."

We're talking about my pal who wasn't sure he wanted to let hiswife stretch the Italian holiday out without him.

I understood completely, of course. Any man would. Have you seenthe shoes those guys wear in Italy!

Fran didn't agree.

"Men don't get to let or not let women do …