I knew the day would come when I would have to take sides. Married to a Brit as I am, there's always been the shadow of my country or his country, looming in the background.
I was completely oblivious though to how soon that day would actually arrive. As we sat around the dinner table tonight, regaling one another with how our days went (Gaby's was "playish", I just thought you'd like to know that.), Gareth tapped his plate lightly with the tines of his fork, leaned back in his chair and looked me straight in the eyes and asked me if I knew what tomorrow was?
"Saturday?" I replied.
"Right, luv. What I meant was, do you know what tomorrow is?"
I set my fork down and raised an eyebrow and looked around, perhaps expecting an answer to drop from the ceiling. I looked back at Gareth and said, "Well, I 'spose it's probably one of your brothers birthdays and I've gone and forgotten again. Is that it?"
Gareth rolled his eyes and asked me, "Don't you watch any television at all during the day? Only everyone is talking about it. We even have it on, on the big screen in the conference room at work! It's the footie World Cup, woman!"
I gave Gareth a withering glance and shot back, "Well sure, in between Max and Ruby and Dora the Annoying Explorer and after I gouge my eyes out, sure, they talk about it being World Cup. Oh yeah, that's really big with kids who think Ruby is the bomb but have no clue that Max is pussywhipped!"
I knew I'd said the wrong thing when Gaby piped up, "Silly mommy, Max can't be pussywhipped because he's a bunny rabbit. 'Sides, Ruby loves her little brother."
Afterward, Gareth gave me one of those looks, the kind that says, "Great, I can't wait to hear where she brings that one up!"
Avoiding a whole withering glance-off I asked Gareth, "OK so what's the big deal about tomorrow other than a big soccer game?"
Gareth replied, with a fair amount of frustration, "Football, woman! It's FOOTBALL! Do you have any idea just exactly who is playing tomorrow?"
I put my fork back down knowing that I wasn't going to get another bite in until I'd played along, so I replied, "Max and Ruby?"
Gareth very calmly smiled at me and then pointed at himself and back at me. Just then, the light went off over my head and I exclaimed, "Ohhhhhhh! It's the US vs. the UK, is it? Interesting."
With a grin that expressed a certainty that the cat would get the mouse and the cream he asked me, "And who might you be rooting for?"
I stopped for a brief second to think about it (I happen to think that soccer is the most boring sport in the entire world!), and said, "Ummmm, well I haven't really given it much consideration. Hey, I know, lets ask Gaby! Gaby; England, where daddy is from, and America, where mommy is from, are playing a big soc...I mean football game tomorrow. Who do you want to win?
Gaby chomped on her carrot for a moment and then a huge smile crossed her face and she threw her arms up and exclaimed...
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And there you have it. The daughter who is a dual citizen of both the United States and Great Britain has cast her vote for her mother's land. As for me, I suppose I'll throw my lot in with the Yankees. Only seems like I should seeing as how I know that the Brit in residence will be cheering on England enthusiastically enough for all of the British ex-pats over on this side of the pond.
For all intents and purposes, during World Cup season, we are a house divided.
