ly

s b

he tsked at me when she saw that I’d gained ten pounds in the last month. Trust me, I don’t n

n a urine sample, checked my wei

e when finally, she jumps up from her seat. “Okay, so Dr. Parks is ou

p. “Wait, I want

understand that, but he’s out of town. Dr. Reynolds

but that’s the name I’ve given her, the one I think she deserves. The last time I was here, she made a big deal about the fact I was pregnant and not married. I thought about switching doctors then, but I couldn’t because Dr. Parks has been so wonderful to me. “I don’t care if

but I’m still determined. I love my doctor. He’s an older man that has delivered thousands of babies, and he’s nice. I’m about to tell her I’ll make another appoint

need to look out for my child now, and even though this baby is a surprise,

y got her way. She just sing songs, “The doctor

m not sure how long I sit here, but when I wake up, I have

I’m sorry to inte

es, I even have some drool that has pooled at the corner

to the nurse because she wasn’t lying. Dr. Reynolds is nice to look

ss my hands o

before closing it and tilting his h

e. “Well, I’ve lived in W

en’t you Aus

tack on. “Best friend? Yes, we’ve been

l, I’ve got good news, and I have some bad news.

breath. “Th

that if you do what I tell you to do, then you and t

ow I’m not going to like the bad news. “W

est. “Uh, do you have someone y

I’m nervous by the change of his tone. I grip the sides of my chair. “Doc

“Okay, well, we found protein in your urine,

h even seems to be a feat. “Uh, w

for my foot and bringing it up, “

lp.

heada

s like complaining. “Uh, yes, I usually have one every day, but if I sleep or take

open again and is jotting things down. “Okay,

Doctor, because right now, you h

e, and his voice drops at least an oc

God. Okay, I can do this. “Rest, right. I ca

ink I’m explaining myself clear

y not liking where this is

. “So you’re on y

there’s no getting ar

it to me. “Here you go. Give this to your boss and let them know you’re taking the next two weeks off.

need a note. I’m my own boss, I just rent out a

OR MORE weeks off. I mean, I know it’s important for me and my

d the baby’s—you really have to. I’m worried about preeclampsia, and that can be dangerous for you both.

thing he’s said is whirling around in my he

he last time you did an ultrasound, we were unable to see the sex o

entence. It seems like my whole

settled on the bed and leaning back, he asks me ag

shake my head. “Nope, the,

be a little cold at first—sorry, the warmer in this room broke.” He squirts some cold jelly on my belly and starts pressing around my stomach. I j

ound on my belly. The sound of my baby’s heartbeat fills the room,

, it looks just like a grainy television feed. The doctor clicks a few buttons, and

thusiastically than I shoul

his head. “A daughter. You

e promises to myself and even pray to God that I’m going t

when I use them to wipe my face, he gi

tion he’s going to send me home with, and for me to call if I need anything. Honestly, after the ult