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“Does the hospital seem busier than usual to you?” Artie says, looking around.
“It does,” Ed says as he glances around as well.
Finally, a nurse approaches us and informs us that it’s our turn to see the doctor. I help Susan to her feet and we go to the examination room.
The doctor smiles. “Back so soon?”
“Doctor,” Susan says, “I had a fall.”
The doctor’s face changes quickly. She talks to the nurse, and a few minutes later, a wheelchair is brought into the room.
“We need to take you in for a few tests.”
“My baby,” Susan wails.
“It’s going to be fine,” the doctor assures her.
“Doctor—” Artie begins.
“I’m sorry to say, but you need to leave,” the doctor says. “The hospital is overwhelmed at the moment. We have patients from a nearby avalanche coming in.”
“But Susan—” Ed argues.
“She’s going to be fine. She’s with me now.”
“Guys,” Susan says, her voice kind of cold, “please go home.”
I look at my brothers, who nod reluctantly. “Fine, we’ll go. But as soon as you’re done with the tests, we’re bringing you home.”
“Sounds good,” Susan says as she’s wheeled away, clutching her stomach.
* * *
A few hourspass with no news from Susan. She hasn’t texted back or called any of us.
I’m not the only one getting more agitated by the second. Ed paces the room. “We need to check up on her. It’s late.”
“We should,” I say as I call her again. “Maybe they’re not done with the tests yet.”
“It’s been so long. If it was good news, Susan would have told us,” Artie says.
“I don’t want your fucking pragmatism right now,” I say, frustrated.
Finally, the sound of the front door opening breaks the silence. We all turn our heads, our eyes locking with Susan’s as she steps into the room. Her face is blank. It gives nothing away.
“I…I lost the baby,” she whispers, her words carrying the weight of her grief.
A hushed gasp escapes my lips, and I instinctively reach out to Susan, pulling her into a comforting embrace. My brothers gather around me, and we all hug her.
“It’s going to be fine,” Ed says, rubbing her back. Susan peels away to look at him. “Maybe this was for the best, you know? None of us were really ready.”
I expect her to argue, but Susan just nods dumbly.
She pulls us toward her almost desperately. “I need you,” she says, glancing between all three of us. “All three of you. Please.”
“Are you sure?” Artie asks. “I know today has been traumatic for you.”
“Please,” she says. “I barely lost any blood. It happened so fast. I’m fine—at least physically. I need you.” Her words are almost pleading.
