Two Pink Lines

chapter 9: ankle argumenfs

Joe prepared them both dinner, before helping Taylor over to the table. They went through dinner silently, Taylor not daring to speak. After they finished Joe picked up the plates, laying them in the sink before coming back over to Taylor. Helping her out of her chair he moved her over to the couch.

"I think I'm going to go take a bath," Joe said, turning to leave.

"Can I come with you?" Taylor asked innocently.

Joe bit his lip, obviously not wanting her to, "Well your ankle, I don't want you to hurt it more."

"It's fine, I'll just prop it up on the side of the bathtub," Taylor looked at him with pleading eyes.

Joe sighed, "Alright."

"Can you help me up the stairs?" Taylor asked, already trying to stand up.

Joe nodded, moving over to her. He carried her up the stairs, setting her back down once they reached the bathroom. Joe turned on the water, and after they both got undressed they got into the bathtub. Taylor got in first, propping her leg up on the edge of the bathtub. Jog got in behind her, keeping a noticeable distance.

They sat there silently for a moment, enjoying the warm water. Taylor spoke quietly, "You know I'm really sorry, right?"

Joe didn't respond, staying quiet. Taylor sighed, "I just don't understand why you're so mad at me! It's not a big deal!"

"JUST BECAUSE TAYLOR!" Joe practically shouted.

Taylor was taken aback, throughout the whole pregnancy Joe had never done as much as even slightly raised his voice, even when Taylor was purposefully trying to pick a fight.

Joe looked down, "I'm sorry I just... it's really hard."

"But why? I know that what Liz and Patrick are going through is hard, and I'm sorry for making it worse, but could you at least talk to me?" Taylor asked confused.

"It's more then just that! Olivia and Jacob are considering divorce, I've been trying to help them through that. Oliver and Stephanie had another miscarriage, I've been trying to help them with that. Matt's pissed at me because I keep cancelling on him whenever we plan to go somewhere. My wife was fucking running away from me and sprained her ankle. And I have no one to talk to about it because my family is in the hospital!" Joe ran his hand through his hair. "Don't you see how that could get a little frustrating?"

For once Taylor was at loss for words. "I-, I didn't know... you never told me about the divorce and the miscarriage. And why have you been cancelling on Matt?"

"Something always comes up. First it was Patrick and Liz, then it was when you were sick, then it was when you were sick again, then I was supposed to meet up with him tonight, but then you sprained your ankle. I just didn't want to tell you any of this because I didn't want to stress you out." Joe said softly.

"So pretty much I'm the cause of all your problems?" Taylor asked, hurt. She turned towards him in the bathtub, so her leg was now resting on the side.

Joe was quick to stop her, "No, no, no, you aren't. It's me."

"I'm the reason that there's been such a burden on you about the divorce and miscarriage, since I didn't help you shoulder the issue at all. I'm the reason you keep cancelling on Matt, I ran away from you like an idiot, and you've been so busy with me you haven't been able to visit your family as much," Taylor's voice cracked, and a tear slipped into the bathtub water. "I'm terrible."

"Love, you aren't! It's my fault," Joe pleaded with her, reaching out his hand to rest on her knee.

Taylor swatted him away, "And I've just been so ignorant about it. I said it wasn't a big deal! It is a big deal though!"