Gertie

Chapter 23

Two days later, Marlena woke, and immediately took her temperature. She stared at the thermometer, and sighed. Her temperature was down slightly, she was going to ovulate soon. Feeling awkward, but knowing she had no choice, she reached for the phone, and dialed Victor's house, asking to speak with John. When his voice came on the line, she said softly, "My temperature has dropped."

    "So...today?" John asked her, feeling his abdominal muscles clench. He wanted her, but he had to keep his head together.

    "Yes," she replied softly. "I'm most fertile right before ovulation occurs."

    "Dr. Liu said days 13-15 on a 28-day cycle...that's three days, Doc, not just today," John said, looking around quickly, feeling as if he were having a convert conversation.

    "We might not need three days," Marlena told him. "I know Isabella is incredibly upset about this. I—I understand why." Marlena's heart broke every time she thought about John making love to his wife, she could only imagine how Isabella might feel about what she and John were about to do.

    John was silent for a moment, and then he said, "Isabella will be more upset if this doesn't work, and we have to do it again...three days, Doc. Pack a bag."

    "I—I didn't realize we would be going somewhere," Marlena said softly. "Who's going to watch Gertie?"

    "I've already worked it out with Sami and Eric...even Carrie is on board...just pack a bag. I'll be over in an hour or so, to pick you up."

    "You did? John...they know we're going to...oh, G-d! Okay," Marlena whispered, feeling her breathing pick up. This was really happening. He'd made plans. "Okay. Okay. Okay...I'll be ready."

    Isabella heard the line click, as John and Marlena hung up. He was going to do this. Marlena was tracking her temperature, to be sure she was fertile. Isabella wanted to scream, rant, break things...but she couldn't. Taking a long, slow, deep breath, she hung up the phone, and turned around quickly, when she heard John clear his throat behind her. She stared at him. He knew she'd been listening in on his telephone call with Marlena. His face was etched with anger.

    "You were listening to my phone call," John said, with barely concealed rage. "I don't want to hurt you, Isabella. I don't know why you would do that."

    "You don't want to hurt me?" she asked with derision. "And yet, you're going to do this anyway?"

    "I am," John said. "My child has cancer. She could die, and I'm going to do what I can to make sure that doesn't happen. I'll be gone for a few days—"

    "—I heard," she replied with venom in her voice. "You two have this down to a science, don't you? Marlena's tracking her temperature? Don't lie to me, John. You may be doing this to try, and have a child, that could potentially save Gertie, but don't lie to me. I can see it in your face. I heard it in your voice. Marlena said one day, one day, and you were very quick to insist on three days. You want this. You want three days alone with her, fucking like G-d damned bunnies! You want to be with her!"

    John knew she was right, although he would never admit it to her, "Isabella! I don't know why you do this to yourself! Why were you listening to a private conversation?"

    "I deserve to know what you're doing, John!" Isabella cried, with tears building up in her eyes. "I deserve to know!"

    "Do you really need details? It's only going to hurt you even more," he said sadly. "I'll be back in a few days."

    John turned to leave the room, and he heard Isabella hiss, "I hate her. I fucking hate her so much."

    "That's the saddest part," John said. "Don't let hatred consume you, Izzy B...I'll be back on Thursday."