“Miranda! Have you seen this?” Gerald thrust the newspaper
before her jabbing at the article for emphasis.
“What makes you think I’ve seen it? I don’t read the paper,
Gerald.” Miranda turned her nose up and glanced away.
“Fine. Stupid question. But have you heard…”
Miranda stared at the patterned wallpaper across the room,
counting the tiny flowers that grew in precise patterns. One, two, three… She
didn’t like to listen to bad news. Her mother always told her that ignorance
was bliss and she intended to prove it.
Fourteen, fifteen… It wasn’t a very scientific study. She
hadn’t quite worked out how to judge whether she was happier not knowing
something without finding out what she didn’t know, which would ruin the entire
experiment.
Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three… She had successfully
avoided all manner of news for over a month, but it took focus and careful
planning. Sewing circle, book club, even the opera needed to be avoided!
Forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven…
THWACK!
“What was that for?” Miranda massaged her head while she
glared at Gerald.
“Did you hear a word I said?” He brandished the newspaper
threateningly.
“I’m sure I heard it, Gerald. I just wasn’t listening.” She
crossed her arms over her chest.
“So. You think this is bliss?” He gestured at her with the
paper. “I can prove you wrong right now.”
Miranda quirked an eyebrow, “Oh?”
“Yeah. THIS news?” He tore the paper to bits. “This news
makes me SO happy… SO thrilled…” He laughed, “I wanted to share it with you.
But you know what?” He tossed it like confetti. “If you want to know what it
is, you’ll have to read it yourself.” He turned and stalked out of the room.
“Now that’s just cheating.” Miranda bit her lip, then knelt to
find joy instead.
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