Page 2 of Travis

I stare at my sandwich, not really wanting to answer the question. “Not sure. I might go home to my folks, but they haven’t mentioned anything yet.”

“Do they know about you and Becky?” Grayson asks, in a ‘level with me’ tone.

Can't help but sigh. “No. That’s part of the reason why I don’t want to go back home for Christmas.”

Kurt interjects. “Not the greatest way to celebrate the holidays. Telling your folks that you and your wife split.”

I look at him. “Exactly.” I take a bite of food, chew and swallow. “Besides, we’re just separated.”

Kurt pats me on the back. “Yeah, who knows what’ll happen, right?”

“You guys still talk?” Grayson asks, as he plugs his phone into the charger.

“I don’t want to talk about it, if it’s all the same to you.”

Kurt gives his brother a look. “Yeah, Grayson. I wouldn’t want to talk about my ex, either.”

“Forgive me.” Grayson says fairly. “I’m fresh out of talking about anything else. Had this one patient this morning, I swear to God she thought it was a therapy session.”

“And yet you’re asking Travis here about his love life.” Kurt points out.

“It’s women.” I say, half joking, half changing the subject. “All they ever want to talk about is babies. That’s how come me and Becky broke up, see. We couldn’t have any, no matter what we tried.”

“Don’t lose hope, man.” Kurt interjects. “My Lisa told me that’s how come her and her ex fiancé broke up, because she couldn’t have kids. Then she met me, and I knocked her up right quick.”

My gaze darts to him. “So, you’re saying it’s my fault.” My voice is flat, insinuating.

“No, man, I'm just saying that she thought she couldn’t have kids, and it turns out that she could.”

“Well, that’s just great.” My tone is condescending, facetious. “I suppose we’ll never know now.”

“Don’t say that, man.” Grayson says. “She may come around. It’s not been that long.”

“How long has it been?” Kurt says.

“Look, I said that I didn’t want to talk about it.”

“Sorry, man.” Kurt says.

“Fuck, we tried everything.” I continue, going off on a tirade. “Hormones, IVF, everything. She had me on a goddamn sex schedule and everything. Doctors couldn’t find a dang thing wrong with either one of us, neither. Had to...jerk myself off into one of them cups...only to find out there ain’t nothing wrong with my sperm.”

Kurt and Grayson exchange a look. “Look, maybe some time apart is what you need, man.” Grayson says. “Maybe y’all just put too much emphasis on making babies. Y’all forgot about being a couple.”

“Easy for you to say. At least you guys both got pregnant without trying.” I point out, pissed off. “Becky and I tried for five years, man. Ain’t nothing fun about that. Sex is supposed to be something y’all look forward to. Well, dammit, I dreaded it.” Except for one glorious time, but I leave that part out.

“Maybe it’s not meant to be.” Grayson says.

“Look, I've been over and over this a million times, man.” I state. “Becky and I went to counselling, the whole nine yards. She got the seven-year itch and jumped ship is all. I’m not sure if anyone recovers from that. But she’s happier without me from what I can see.”

“Have you seen her much?” Kurt asks.

“No, but I've heard.” I half lie.

“You want me to fix you up?” Kurt asks.

I give him a look. “What, are you insane? I’m not ready to go off with some other woman.”

“Not even for a roll in the hay, man?” Grayson says.

---