Matt Rebukes Gina

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon and Matt was on the sofa reading a book on The Pregnant Guppy, the first of the Guppy line of aircraft produced by Aero Spacelines. The book was a Christmas present from Joel and Kira. It was a perfect choice because he was interested in transport aircraft and the history of aviation. It was an easy read, packed with a lot of information. He started it last night and was already almost half-way through it.

Gina walked into the living-room after putting their four year son down for his afternoon nap. She didn’t join Matt on the sofa. “I called Kira on yesterday,” she told him.”

He glanced up from the book. “How is she doing? How was did she like being in Rome for the holidays?”

“She said it was wonderful.”

“I’m glad Joel took her away for the holidays. It must have been a really nice change for her.”

“It’s funny that they don’t have any children as yet.”

“They’re just going through a tough time. I’m sure that things will change. I know couples who tried for years to have children and just when it seemed like it wasn’t going to happen, the wives got pregnant. Let’s continue to pray for them and support them as best as we can.”

“I can’t imagine that the problem is with Joel. It must be her.”

“How do you know that Joel isn’t the problem?”

She shrugged. “I just don’t think he is.”

“What do you have against Kira?”

“I don’t have anything against her. I called her at the office on Friday morning to find out how she was doing.”

“Why did you call her at the office? Why not call her in the evening when she was home or on yesterday evening or today so I could talk to her too and to Joel?”

“Why wait until then to–?” she stopped.

His eyes narrowed. “Why wait until then to what, Gina?”

“Well, I couldn’t wait to give her the good news.”

“You mean you told her that you’re pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“Damn it, Gina, how could you do something so stupid?”

“What’s wrong with me wanting to share our good news with her? She’s family.”

“Family ties had nothing to do with it. You wanted to rub her face in the fact that you’re having another child when she and Joel don’t have any. How could you be so insensitive, Gina?”

“I wasn’t being insensitive. Would you have preferred if I hadn’t said anything?”

“Frankly, yes.”

“So, when exactly would have been a good time to tell her?”

“I don’t know but you should have waited.”

“Well, I didn’t want to wait. I told her.”

“And how did she take it?”

“She congratulated me.”

“How did she sound?”

“She sounded fine so I asked her about her and Joel. She said that they were still trying. I told her that they could always adopt and she said that they wanted to have their own child.”

Matt tossed his book aside and jumped to his feet, his expression thunderous. “What is wrong with you?” he demanded. “Have you no sense of decency?”

She looked at him alarmed. “What did I say that was so bad?” she asked defensively.

“You had no business telling her that she and Joel could adopt. You don’t say that to a couple who is trying to have their own children. You don’t say anything period. You just leave it alone. I swear, if I were Kira I would have given you a piece of my mind. There comes a time when you can’t continue ignoring the ignorance of women like you who don’t have a sensitive bone in their bodies. Have you ever thought about how you would feel if you were the one dealing with infertility? Do you think that Kira would have been insensitive to what you were going through? No. She would have bent over backwards to not make you feel like you’re less of a woman because you’re unable to conceive.”

“I wasn’t trying to be insensitive, Matt. I was being supportive by telling her that she could still be a mother. There are so many children out there who need a loving home–“

“Can’t you get it through your head that Kira doesn’t want to adopt?”

“What is she going to do if it’s her only option? And what about Joel? What if he doesn’t have a problem adopting a child?”

“You should know by now that whatever Kira wants, Joel wants. He’s crazy in love with her and that bothers you doesn’t it?”

She looked at him, startled. “Why should it bother me?”

“Don’t think that I don’t know that you’ve always had a thing for my brother.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped, her heart racing.

“You’re jealous of Kira because she snagged Joel. First, it was Nancy, the pediatrician. I could tell that you didn’t like her and were glad when the relationship ended and you thought the field was clear for you to make a move on Joel but then you found out that Kira was the reason for the breakup. You were probably hoping that that relationship wouldn’t last but when they got engaged and then married, you realized that it was hopeless. And so you were stuck with me. You turned your attentions on me and poor blind fool that I am, I thought or rather, hoped that you had gotten over Joel but clearly I was wrong. I don’t know whom I feel more sorry for–you who are still infatuated with my little brother who’s mad about his wife or me who’s mad about you.”

Face beet red, she retorted, “You’re wrong! I not infatuated with Joel and I’m not jealous of his wife.”

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”

She glared at him. “You’re out of your mind. I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.” She flounced out of the room.

Matt watched her go. Then, he sank down onto the sofa and picked up his book.

Posted for January 2021 Writing Prompts – #2 – The pregnant guppy; #7 – Ignoring the ignorance

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