Alice Blue 9

[geena]

Author: Geena
Colors: Alice Blue 9. everything is funny, if you can laugh at it
Rating: G
Word Count: 174
Story: Polyfaceted (Index~Timeline); the title of this story is An Arrangement.
Summary: Martina learns of yet another girlfriend. (Old prompt from bookblather.)
Notes: This is canon and takes place in 1987. Anything in italics is spoken Italian.

***

He tells her after dinner, once the children are upstairs and out of range.

“I see. That’s-- you must be very happy.” Martina turns away, wiping the counters for a second time.

“Is something wrong?”

She almost laughs at the absurdity of his question. “Of course not. How did you meet this one?” A stubborn splash of sauce refuses to come off-- she puts power behind her scrubbing, gritting her teeth.

“We met over dinner a few weeks ago. She was alone, so of course I offered my company and we hit it off. She’s wonderful, sweet and brilliant. You’d love her if you knew her.” At least he avoids her eyes as he says this.

Martina quietly scoffs. “I’m sure I would.” Hurling the sponge into the sink, she mutters, “I promised Teresa that we would read tonight. Excuse me.”

“Martina--”

“I’m glad to see you so happy, Augusto. Truly.”

Exiting the kitchen, she ignores the way the goofy grin on his face causes her stomach to roll.

***

Comments

[subluxate]

Aww, Martina. She's trying so, so hard, but...oh, Martina.

At least he tells her once it gets serious. That's a point in his favor.

Very well done.

[geena]

Yeah, Augusto is always honest and upfront with her, but that certainly does ease the sheer pain of each new girlfriend. I just... she's not given enough credit most times.

Thank you!

[sarcasticsra]

Awww, Martina.

This says so much in so little.

Great job!

[geena]

Martina is a badass in all sorts of ways, but I think this is the way I most admire.

Thank you!

[ce_jour_la]

I join in the chorus of "awww, Martina". Love the brevity of this, how much it says without an abundance of words.

[geena]

Martina is an amazing person, and even stronger than I think she's given credit for.

Thank you!

[bookblather]

Oh, this made me choke up. You said so much in so few words; how much it hurts her, but how she refuses to let it show. Really, really well done. The description says so much without actually saying anything.

[geena]

Martina is an emotional badass (well, an all around badass, but specifically emotionally in this case) and she's not given nearly enough credit.

Thank you!

[shipwreck_light]

I love how much conflict and tenderness you managed to cram into such a little fic.