“She’s doing good. I can tell she’s worried about you, but she’s hiding it well.”
“Thank you, Sarah. Can I talk to her?”
“Of course,” she says. I hear her call Presley’s name and the sound of my daughter’s rushing footsteps.
“Mommy?” her sweet, soft voice sends another bout of tears streaming down my cheeks.
“Hi, sweet girl,” I murmur. “Are you having fun?” I clear my throat, trying to hide my emotion from her. It guts me knowing she lost a sibling when she didn’t even know she was going to get one in the first place.
“Yes! We went to Pizza Hut for supper and got ice cream. We’re watching a princess movie now, and Millie’s dad is making us popcorn.”
“Wow, that sounds so fun!”
“It is. Are you with Auntie Megan?”
I shake my head, even though she can’t see. “Not tonight. Mommy’s relaxing tonight.”
“Oh. I miss you.” I can hear the twinge of sadness in her voice, and my heart aches. She hasn’t had a sleepover anywhere besides her Grandma’s house, and it’s probably a little early for it now, but I’m out of options.
“I know sweetie, but I’ll pick you up right away in the morning. Sarah and Seth are going to take such good care of you.” God, I wish I could be there right now to hold her.
In the background I hear her friend's voice. “Presley, the movie is starting!”
“Okay, I love you, Mommy. When is Daddy coming home?”
“Only a few more days, I think,” I tell her, but at this point, I don’t know. It’s so unlike him to go radio silent. “I love you more, Pres.”
There's a shuffling noise, and then Sarah is back on the phone. “Do you need a ride? Someone to sit with you?”
“Not right now. I’ll be here for a few more hours at least.”
“You shouldn’t be alone, Fallon.”
My heart clenches. She doesn’t know what’s happening, and yet, she’s willing to come and be with me. Her kindness makes tears burn my eyes again. “I’m okay. I’ll call you if I change my mind.” I would love to have someone to sit with me, but I have the nurses. And the doctor is really nice. I can cry and not worry about judgment with them. I’d be more worried if Sarah was here, and not with my daughter.
“Okay. I can pick you up, too. It doesn’t matter what time, call me. I’ll keep my phone on.”
“Will do,” I tell her. Perhaps I underestimated our friendship, and can trust her, but we’re saying goodbye before I can pluck up the courage to tell her.
My nurse rubs a soothing circle on my hand. Before I second guess it with worries about taking up too much of her time, or that she might be working or sleeping before a night shift, I call Megan.
She answers on the second ring. “Hey you. I was just thinking about you.”
“Hey, Meg,” I say, my voice immediately betraying me.
“Fallon? What’s wrong?” I can hear her fiancé in the background, whisperingquestions.
“Can you come here?” I whisper. My nurse nods, patting me on the leg as she stands, giving me some privacy. “I’m at the hospital.”
“Of course, I’ll leave right now. Which hospital? What’s going on?”
In the background I hear Isaac again. “I’ll go grab a bag for you,” he says, and his hurried footsteps carry through the phone.
“I’m—” I choke on the words. “I’m having a miscarriage. I need to have a procedure, and Brad’s at a work conference.” I don’t tell her about the lack of communication, that can come out later.
“Oh, Fallon. I’ll be there as soon as possible. When are they taking you back?” Her voice oozes sympathy, and I know I’m making the right choice.
“Soon,” I say.
