Jethro Tull Intermission

They went out into the lobby on the second floor. Below, they could see dozens of people forming lines in front of vendors.

“It’s not so bad,” Derick said, pausing to cough.

“No. They’re definitely talented musicians. How are you doing? We can split.”

“I’m okay,” Derick said, clearing his throat. “I’ve never seen such a sea of baldness,” he added, looking out over the lobby. “And they’re all middle-aged and overweight.”

“There’s a guy in line with his kid,” Ruthie said, pointing.

“But they’re pretty homely,” Derick said. “I do believe we’re just about the best looking couple here.”

“I heard from the doctor,” she said.

The noise in the building seemed to subside. Derick couldn’t help coughing again. “Yeah?” he said. “So am I sterile or what?”

“No, you’re fine. He said your junk is very healthy.”

“That’s right it is.” He made thrusting motions and smiled at her. “So what else did he say?”

“Basically, I need hormone therapy. And if that doesn’t work…” she shrugged.

“The turkey baster?”

“If we decide we want to invest that much into it.”

“You mean money?”

“Yeah, and, you know, disappointment.”

He paused, coughing again. “And what are we thinking on that front?”

She shrugged. He put an arm around her and pulled her close.

“We could travel,” she said. “Except we hate to travel.”

“We could pay off our student loans.”

“Woo hoo. No, there’s plenty we could do to fill the…”

“Time,” he said.

They both scanned the crowd below, lost in thought. Their eyes each rested on the man in line for a tee-shirt with his son. Derick turned and caught Ruthie’s face. Her eyes rose and met his. She smiled. He felt something shift inside him.

“So what do we need to do to push forward?” he said softly.

“Fill some prescriptions.”

“Let’s do that tomorrow.”

She glanced back towards the auditorium.

“We should get back,” he said.

He turned and she slipped her hand inside his. They followed the crowd back inside.