My Lady of the Lantern

Situation: Female co-workers chattering after a lunch together. (5, young, married) General topic: Family; Kid’s capers; Guests Sudden Turn: Who would it be this year? [ There’s a mini-joke regarding our institute and it is labeled as PPX. Means it is not X, it is Permanently Pregnant X. Every year, we have atleast one female faculty taking maternity leave and that has led to the title. ] Co-worker A: Who would it be this year? Co-Worker B: Aww, it has to be D! D: Hee Hee Hee! I was a part of the group. My name was not included, intentionally/unintentionally on the most likely to reproduce this year. I did not make ‘the cut’ into their list. What would have pinched you more? Inclusion on the list – and hence the hurt of how tough it is actually to live to the expectations or Exclusion – when one is no longer considered capable of progeny? ^WiseGuy^

Possible Answers: a) They could be three and a half by now. b) Oh, in August 2010, they would have been celebrating their first birthday. c) I do not have children. d) My kids are younger than Nadya Suleman's 14. The right answer is 'c'. Applause! A workshop is being conducted in the institute and we have several delegates who have joined us from other places. Last evening, there was an outing to a local amusement park and most of my female colleagues, brought their children along. So one of the delegates was enquiring kid count for all of us, and I was the last one she asked. When I gave my answer, I just moved away a bit. The usual second question after my 'None!' is as to how many years have I been married . And then, some funny advice either comes around or a bland 'huh' happens. Anyways, that delegate spared me the second question. And I am so glad that she did. ^WiseGuy^