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3. I’m not happy with my marriage – I wanta different husbmore romance and support.
I’m just being selfish, she thought. I have a stable job and income, a nice apartment, and a husband to share it with. Okay, so he could be a little more supportive, but you can’t have everything.
Marlina Giovanni had taught her daughter to strive for stability in life. Be thankful for what you had. Don’t complain. Gina’s father had taken ill after a trip to Italy and they’d had to rely on his income protection insurance to get by until he was well enough to work again. If it wasn’t for her father’s good sense and stable job that welcomed him back six months later, her family wouldn’t have been able to stay in their home and have the kind of life they were blessed with. Looking after family was number one.
Gina’s twin brothers, George and Greg, orGeorgioandGregorioas her parents christened them, trained as accountants right after leaving school. They opened a business together: ‘Giovanni Accountants’, both marrying their girlfriends within a year of each other, and starting a family not long after.
Gina always felt like the odd one out. Despite having ahusband and a home, she hadn’t yet provided grandchildren for her parents, and she wasn’t getting any younger. George and Greg were genuinely happy with their lives, and would without a doubt keep doing the same thing every day for as long as they lived. Gina however, was ... unsettled.
The bus slowed. Gina pressed the button and rose to indicate her stop. The brakes screeched to a halt, the smell of fuel filling the air as the bus doors opened. ‘Excuse me.’ She inched past the ‘polite’ man who’d given up his seat. He eyed her up and down, moving back only slightly, causing her back to graze his ample belly as she manoeuvred past. She stepped onto Clarence Street and into the warm thick air of the city. Glancing back at the bus, she noticed the man had taken his seat back, while an older woman stood holding the handrail as the bus took off. ‘Men,’ she mumbled, shaking her head.
At 8:40 am Gina entered the M2M offices, the hazards of public transport forgotten and head held high in anticipation of her impending promotion.
‘Good morning, Gina.’ Mark Villotti held open the door to the Accounts Department and Gina walked in. That was a first. Brianna had arrived early too, sipping her essential morning coffee.
‘Now, Gina,’ Mark said.
Yes, Mark? C’mon, you can say it!Gina had imagined his speech each night for the past month;‘In honour of your valuable service these past six years...’
‘Brianna’s taking over Marion’s role as Accounts Manager,’ he said flatly.
What?Gina’s heart sank.Brianna?
‘She’ll be working closely with Marion today and tomorrow,so I’ll need you to take over her workload until we hire a replacement.’
This can’t be right.She tensed her jaw to stop her mouth from gaping open at the injustice.
‘We’ll be interviewing applicants this afternoon. Both Brianna and Marion will be sitting in, so I’m counting on you to keep the office running smoothly while they’re gone, okay?’
But ... she’s only been here for two and a half years!
‘Okay, Gina?’
What about me? I’ve been here longer than any of the accounts staff!
‘Gina?’
‘Er ... yes, sure,’ she said, straightening her suit jacket and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. ‘Congratulations, Brianna.’ Gina nodded a polite smile before turning to face Mark. ‘And don’t worry, Mark, I’ll keep everything running as smoothly as always.’Like I have been for the past six years! SIX bloody years, you bloody idiot!
‘What’s for dinner?’Marvin enquired as he walked in the door that night.
‘Spaghetti Bolognaise.’
‘Oh. Didn’t we have that a few nights ago?’
‘Can’t remember,’ she lied. Gina slid the chopped onions into the frypan with one clean swipe of her knife.
‘Yeah, we did. Friday night, remember?’ He loosened his tie and hung his blazer on the back of the nearest chair.
‘Well, we’re having it again!’ Gina snapped, plonking minced meat into the sizzling pan.
‘What’s up with you?’
‘Nothing.’
‘It’s hormones, isn’t it?’ Marvin asked. ‘PMS or something?’
No, it’s not the stupid hormones! It’s my stupid job! And my stupid boss! And...’‘It’s just ... Brianna got promoted today, and it should have been me.’ Gina wiped the back of her hand across her cheek, holding back the rest of the tears wanting to fall. ‘Anyway, it doesn’t matter.’ She stabbed at the mince with the wooden spoon, breaking it up, and turning it over.
