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My principal burst into the room with her usual over-the-top energy and enthusiasm. “He’s on line three. This is our big chance, ladies. Ruth Anne, I want you to do the talking, okay?”
Before I could say anything, my principal clicked on the call. “Mr. Mack? Are you still there?”
“I am, but please, call me Big Mack. Everyone does.”
“Well, okay. Fine. Wonderful. Now, I’ve got you on speaker phone with Ruth Anne Hermosa, our librarian, and Harriet James, one of our fabulous volunteers.”
“Good morning,” Mack said.
Both Harriet and I returned the greeting, but my mind was too wrapped up in Lia to concentrate on what was next said. Standing, I gathered my belongings. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t stay. My daughter has an emergency, and I need to go.”
My principal’s eyes flashed. “Can’t you—”
“No, I can’t. I’m sorry.” Rushing out of the school, I called Lia, but she didn’t answer. Why wasn’t she answering her phone?
As I drove toward her apartment, I called Brandy and Salvador, but neither one of them picked up. Brandy was probably working today, and Salvador... well, it didn’t matter where he was. All that mattered was reaching my daughter as quickly as possible.
Several minutes later, Lia answered the door with bloodshot eyes. “Mom, you came.”
“Of course I came.” I gave her a big hug.
She clung to me. “I’m so scared.”
Hearing the fear in her voice forced me to calm down. “I know you’re scared, but everything is going to be okay. Now, tell me. What did your doctor say?”
“He wants me to come in right now. I was just about to drive myself.”
“Can I take you?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Trying not to be overbearing, I carried Lia’s purse and took her arm as we made our way down the steps and out to my car. Once on the road, Lia started crying. “I don’t want to lose the baby.”
I reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I know, honey.”
At the doctor’s office, they ushered her right back. I stood frozen in place, not sure if I was supposed to come with her or stay in the waiting room. If it was Brandy, I wouldn’t think twice about following her back.
Lia and I, however, had a different kind of relationship. We weren’t super close nor had she shared much about the pregnancy with me. While I wanted to be supportive, I didn’t want to be overbearing.
“Mom, let’s go.” Just like that, Lia’s command solved my dilemma.
In the exam room, Lia lay down on the table as we waited for the doctor. My daughter looked so young, scared, and vulnerable, it broke my heart. She also looked cold. “Do you want me to see if they have a blanket?”
She nodded and closed her eyes.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
In the hallway, one of the sweet nurses found me a warm blanket, which I took back to Lia. I placed it over her as though she were a little girl. I started to brush back her hair but stopped myself knowing that sometimes she didn’t like that kind of affection.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome.”
When the doctor finally arrived, he introduced himself to Lia. Lia explained that because of a mix-up in her insurance, this was only her second prenatal appointment.
“You saw my partner a few months ago, right?”
Lia nodded. “Yes, she gave me some prenatal vitamins, and I’ve been taking them regularly.”
