od

p, and today is one of those days I have to send ye

ross the red button

g of the hospital when the doctor walks in

either too good... or abo

odie," she says soft

skipping a beat

ic

I l

happy

at makes the nurse besid

here," I whisper, shaki

ter. "I ran the test twice. You're e

l around the strap of my purse, squeez

gna

e

as the word sl

t chuckle. "How? You do

y, in response to he

erveli town-since after Mason left me. Adjusting to the

el joke from

ly carryi

endlessly to save my ma

y

I've bee

ening to unleash flo

rs, no

you'll need to level up the care you give yours

orcing a faint smile th

nsure to go through it and follow up all the inst

I say and s

paper with trembling hands. When I ge

oft leather seat, speechless, except for the ru

back to my apartment. I pa

shut and stand there freezi

ie...Pre

legs find the edge of the c

r my flat stomach, the same stoma

Useless. A disgr

echo in my head

r rolls down

er fo

s my body as years of shame

a child to save my marriage, and now when

d confusion washes ove

going t

y feed

I whisper through my sob, squeezing jo

orce back the tears that

d me with no respect

me. "I'll keep you safe, my baby, away from Mason."

s violently as a sudden rus

my mouth with one hand and pre

the force of each heave. A Bitter bile and remnants of my

mouth with the back of my hand

real after a

.

ears l

It's almo

ate a

ag and dash out to the bus

ase," I pant as I

ut barely ten minutes into the dr

clusters and I ge

ervously. "Plea

I stretch my neck, trying to

essage from the school: "Liam is wa

whisper a soft "Thank you Jesus."

ard as fast as he could, but nothing prepares m

s sharply at the sc

y Liam is r

it speed towards him. Pan

. No, no." My scream

ap the front seat, pray

or open and dash out. My bag spills

rowd is g

hts blinki

s small body... lying

ess shirt is already kneeli

t nearl

m, as I push th

ee his pale face, blood smears on his te

side him, my heart

behind but I can barely hear th

n your eyes." Tears blur my vision.

ves no response, my

has arrived."

s hang in the air like a challe