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“I know it’s difficult to ask, but I’m going to strongly recommend you avoid that kind of strenuous labor from here on out,” she said. “You’re more than capable of doing everyday activities, but I know those environments are very high volume and high pressure. As your pregnancy moves forward, that will get harder.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I noticed I’m not so good at it anymore, not that I ever was, really.”
“You can do whatever you feel like you’re up to, but listen to your body; don’t try to take on too much. When you need to rest, rest,” she said.
I nodded, and she shook her head sympathetically.
“I know, it’s easy for me to say, but the goal is to have a good pregnancy and a healthy baby. You are well on the way to that,” she said.
“Thanks,” I responded.
“So, next month?”
“Sure,” I said. “I’ll call and make an appointment. May I have a printout of today’s visit notes?”
“Of course,” she responded.
She gave me a copy of her notes and pictures from the ultrasound.
“You take care, Ms. Jones. And I’ll see you next month,” she said.
I nodded, smiled, feeling a little bit melancholy that she definitely wouldn’t.
I couldn’t allow that.
I’d taken a risk coming here. I didn’t want to risk coming again.
“Do I owe anything?” I asked the receptionist before I left.
She looked at her computer. “You’re self-pay, correct?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Then, no, ma’am. Your initial payment covers this visit. We’ll see you next month, Ms. Jones,” she said.
I waved and, then walked out, wishing that I could stay in this place, wishing I was settled for this time in my life.
That wasn’t to be, and lamenting that reality wouldn’t change it.
I went to the ten-year-old sedan I had bought with cash and drove back to the extended-stay hotel.
I was being careful with money, which was why I had been taking the temporary work. I had the money I’d found in the suitcase, but after the baby came, I wouldn’t have a chance to work, so I needed to save what I could.
I felt something flip in my stomach, but told myself it was just nerves. It was still probably a little bit too early for me to feel the baby moving, though I eagerly anticipated that day.
I made a quick stop at the grocery store, splurging on a premade dinner, and then headed back to the hotel.
“How was your appointment, Jennifer?” Chris, the man in the suite next door to mine, asked.
“It was good,” I said.
I hadn’t intended to tell anyone that I was pregnant, but when he had accidentally received one of my packages, which included prenatal vitamins and What to Expect When You’re Expecting, the secret had come out.
Since then, he’d gone out of his way to be helpful.
It was nice, because I didn’t get the sense that he wanted anything from me other than friendship. Chris was kind, and I appreciated that more than I’d ever dare tell him.
“Do you need anything?” he asked.
