Jack was the first to remember that Laurie was currently undergoing daily injections of hormones, and although he actually had no inkling Laurie had been harboring resentment about his attitude, which he had had the delusion was fine, he had already experienced a number of surprising hormone-induced outbursts from Laurie, which she was plainly having at the moment. Recognizing this reality, he raised his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry,” he said, trying to sound sincere. “I forgot about the hormones.”

For a brief moment Jack’s comment made things worse. Irrationally, Laurie thought Jack was merely trying to blame the current disagreement on her. But as she thought more about it, she could see the similarities between her current state of mind and when she’d torn into the eightysomething grandmother at the checkout counter at Whole Foods. A second later, the insight caused her to burst into tears.

Jack moved over to the side of the bed and put his arm around her. For a moment he didn’t say anything. From past trial-and-error experience, he knew it was the best thing to do. He had to wait for her to calm herself.

After a minute or so Laurie reined in her tears. Her eyes were bright red and watery when she looked at Jack. “You really haven’t been supporting me with this infertility stuff!”

Jack had to fight to resist rolling his eyes. From his perspective, he’d tried to do everything, and there wasn’t anything else for him to do except provide the sperm when required.

“When I get my period each cycle, you are so damn blasé,” Laurie said, choking back tears. “You just say, ‘Oh, well, maybe next time,’ and that’s it. You make no effort to mourn with me. For you it’s just another cycle.”

“I thought I was helping by making an effort to be nonchalant. Frankly, it would be easier to express despondency. But I never imagined that could be a help. I distinctly remember Dr. Schoener saying so herself. Hell, it’s the indifference I have to manufacture.”

“Really?” Laurie questioned.

“Really,” Jack said, as he brushed some strands of damp auburn hair away from her forehead. “And about India. I have nothing against you going, I don’t know Maria Hernandez or her granddaughter, Jennifer. For me, flying halfway around the world just doesn’t make sense for the time or the money, but mostly the money. Of course, I’ll miss you, and I would go if you needed me.”

“Are you just saying that?” Laurie questioned.

“No. If you needed me, I’d go. That’s for certain but—”

“I do need you,” Laurie said, with sudden enthusiasm. “You are indispensable.”

“Really?” Jack said. His bushy eyebrows knitted together questioningly. “I can’t imagine how.”