in through the garage.
“Welcome home,” she said, getting up on her toes to kiss him. Then she glanced to her right and saw a bouquet of flowers on the kitchen table. “Aw, what’s this?”
“I saw them on the street and thought of you. I don’t think I’ve ever given you flowers, and it felt like today was the day.”
“Thank you, Rich. That’s so thoughtful. Seriously.”
“Do you want to go out tonight?”
“Like for a date?”
“Yeah. Dinner and a movie. I’ll probably fall asleep, but it’s time we break up the routine.”
“Okay, well, if you’re sure you’re not too tired, I’m up for dinner and a movie.”
They went to one of those fancy cinemas that have recliner seating and food service. Alison got her favorite burger, and Rich, a cheese steak sandwich. The movie was funny and not too deep, just the right amount of laughter to keep them from falling asleep.
Back home, they got their pj’s on and got into bed, Rich’s back to Alison so she could curl up next to him, and in seconds, they were both sound asleep.
The next morning, Alison got up feeling lousy, with a headache and cramps, and discovered she’d gotten her period. Locking the door to the bathroom and unable to contain the sadness, she started to cry, big tears dripping off the end of her nose. Instead of giving in to it, she got into the shower to begin her day. Disappointment had the power to destroy her weekend, but she put the old mind over matter into practice and refused to dwell on the supposed failure. She’d just try again in two weeks.
She was in the kitchen, making coffee, when she heard Rich get up. In the bathroom, while he stood in front of the toilet, he just happened to look on the shelf and saw the open box of tampons hidden behind a stack of washcloths. Alison was so discreet about her personal stuff. Never once had she complained or whined to him when her period came. It had been about two weeks since they’d had what they now referred to as their romantic interlude. Washing up, he went out into the kitchen and took her in his arms.
“I love you,” he said.
“I’m glad. I got my friend. I guess you knew that.”
“You don’t have to hide your pain from me,” he said. “I know you’re disappointed.”
“I am. I need to relax and just let it happen.”
When the time came around again for the deed to be performed, she’d plan for it like she did every month, with the same care she’d put into planning a surgery, spending extra time preparing her body for love, including even shaving her arms. She’d wear something beautiful that would mark the night as extra special. A romantic dinner was next, with the final glass of wine.
The first Saturday in April was the day her body would be ripe. But the weekend before, he reminded her he would be on call, and they wouldn’t see each other for two weeks.
“Ugh, I hate it when call falls on a weekend,” she complained.
“Call Dr. Pointer,” he reminded her. “That’s what we’ve been saving it up for.”
“Yes! Excellent. I’ll do that.”
“Would you do a video of the insemination?” Rich asked, grinning.
“Ah, no, I will not do a video of it. You’ve lost your mind.”
“I’m sorry I won’t be there,” he said. “That might be kind of sexy.”
“If you were here, I wouldn’t have to stick a syringe up my vagina. You’d be doing it with the real deal.”
“I’ll make up for it as soon as possible,” he said, laughing.
On Friday, she picked up the specimen from the clinic and stuck it in her bag. The realization of what she was about to do both scared and thrilled her. She prepared the stage when she got home, showering, getting the bed ready, sticking her book and a carafe of water at the bedside so she didn’t have to move for at least an hour. She had that final glass of wine while doing FaceTime with Rich.
“I could have come home tonight,” he said.
“I know, but what would be the point? You’d have to get up at four thirty to get back to the hospital for call Saturday morning.”
“You’re so thoughtful of my sleep,” he said, laughing.
“We take care of each other. And I’ll have a date with this!” She held up the clinic specimen cup.
“Where’s my competition?”
Holding up a sterile wrapped syringe, she started to laugh. “He’s right here.