Page 28 of Fearlessly Us

Maddy

Sar, did someone steal your phone or something?

Sophie

Seriously, you never have angst that’s not, like, running out of snacks during finals or something. Are you out of candy?

Sarah

Yes, but that’s tomorrow’s issue. Today I have a real, actual problem that needs to be solved immediately, so cut the shit and put on your listening ears.

Emmy

Oh my god. I feel like Sarah’s first SOS deserves a ticker-tape parade. Who’s up for a trip to New York? We need the Canyon of Heroes.

Maya

Tell us everything.

Me

Okay, but before you tell us everything, first tell us if you’re okay and you’re safe.

Maya

There’s the Caitlin we know and love.

Sophie

Big Mom Energy coming in hot.

Maddy

I thought my energy was Big Mom Energy seeing as I’m a mom (kind of).

Sophie

It’s mom energy light, Mads. Until you can conjure a ten-point plan that has a 99% chance of effectiveness in less time than it takes to microwave a bag of popcorn, the Big Mom Energy title belongs to our resident lawyer girl.

Emmy

Hey, I’m a lawyer too.

Me

Real lawyers do their work ahead of time instead of waiting until the night before it’s due. Did you finish the domicile memo?

Emmy

It’s only four in the afternoon and Molly doesn’t need the memo until tomorrow at 9. I think you know the answer to that.

Also, it’s four in the afternoon. You were supposed to be back hours ago, Cait. Where are you?

I sigh from my perch on the end of my bed wearing nothing but underwear, an ultra tampon, and an overnight pad, my bloated, swollen stomach hanging over my waistband. I knew this question was coming eventually. Even in some of my worst months, I almost always find a way to drag myself to work and hide the evidence of the horror show going on beneath my clothes, or, at the very least, let everyone know I’m working from home. But, for the first time ever, even as the cramps started to subside, I didn’t have it in me to do either of those things.

Me

Sorry, the hospital took longer than I thought. Mia had a lot of questions, so it got late and I ended up coming home to work from here for the rest of the day.