I will await all the comments telling me that I got it wrong.
Why do I write stories that don't quite fit normal expectations? There are plenty of those, so I enjoy trying to find new angles on old tropes. As a writer, it's fun to do, whether it is fun to read, I don't know...
The Other Baby
"Do you love me?" Cathy said.
"Of course I do,"
"Really, really, really?"
"Honey that's a daft question. You've known me it seems like forever and we've been married five years. Is this some kind of test? I mean, seriously? I'm doing my best not to sound hurt here."
She stopped for a moment, looking thoughtful, not looking at me for a for seconds.
"I'm not trying to hurt you, but, if," she said, still looking at the floor. "If I did actually hurt you, not on purpose, accidentally, would you still love me?"
There are days when Cathy has something going around in her head where she can't quite hit on the right words. She has to take a run at it.
"I'm not sure how to say this," she paused, giving me a weak smile. "You can tell, can't you."
"Love, I don't know what is going on in your sweet head, but if you can't say it, you have two choices."
"Two choices?"
"Or maybe three."
"Go on."
"One; you could write it down. I don't want to sound trite here, but the thing about writing it down is that if you don't like your first go at it, then you can edit over and over, in private without upsetting me or anyone else, until it feels right. That can work better than trying to say it and have it come out wrong."
"Good idea," she said, looking up and smiling at me this time. "What are the other two?"
"The oral version of writing it down. You sit in front of a camera and say it, play it back, say it again, changing the words until you have it right, and then maybe practice in front of the camera or a mirror until you know you can say it without a hitch and get the body language right at the same time."
"Right, yes, also a good idea. The third?"
"The third is the easy one -- you forget it, whatever it is. Put it out of your mind. If you're lucky, your subconscious figures it out, if it doesn't, it stays forgotten."
"Is this what you do?"
"With big decisions, yes."
"And it works for you?"
"You've seen my salary cheques, what do you think?"
She grinned. "Yeah, I guess it does," she said. "Proof of the pudding, bonus cheques don't lie, huh."
"So?" I said.
"I guess I'll do that, I mean, one or two of those."
"One more thing."
"What?"
"No pressure, but there's a lesson to learn there, that build up was kind of scary, so you've got me a bit on edge."
"Sorry."
Suddenly I felt mean, whatever it was must matter to Cathy. If there was something scary in this, then better that she get it right when she tells me, the last thing I need in a delicate situation is a needless misunderstanding.
"It's okay," I said. "No pressure. I love you, so take all the time you need."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Do you remember that thing I wanted to talk to you about?"
"Not the actual thing," I said, "but I remember the abandoned conversation."
"I think I can do it now," she said.
"Do I need a stiff drink?"
She tried to smile, but I could see that the tension was getting to her. Okay, I thought, make it easy for her.
"Sorry," I said. "I shouldn't joke, but you did hint."
"Hint?"
"Your body language -- you seemed nervous about whatever it was."
We'd finished dinner, so I took her elbow and led her towards the easy chairs. I sat, trying to look comfortable, wondering what was coming.
"About children," she said. "We always said we'd wait until we were settled and secure, right?"
I nodded.
"We've got there, don't you think? I mean you're making more than we ever thought, and you're not having to work all hours to do it -- so we could manage without my money for a while couldn't we."
"Sure," I said. "And this house and garden would be perfect for kids."
"Great," she said.
What was so hard about that, I wondered? I waited to see what was coming next.
"The thing is, I know this sounds... well I don't know how it sounds to you, because I haven't said it yet. I know some folk would think it was weird, or even be upset." She paused. "It is weird, I mean if I wasn't about to say something that most people wouldn't say, I guess I wouldn't get so wound up."
I waited.
"You know I have this thing about racism?"
"Yeah," I said.
"And we agree about that don't we?"