Three Breakdowns A Year Was All I Was Allowed novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Monday at the Clinic

On Monday at nine I walked into Christian's clinic in daylight, on my own two feet, with my sister waiting in the car.

I had decided against bringing her inside.

I wanted nobody to be able to say I had been carried.

The waiting room had cream walls, a white noise machine and a bowl of smooth stones on the reception desk.

Six people sat in the chairs.

Pia stood behind the desk in a camel blazer.

"Em," she said, and came around it with her arms out. "You came. Christian will be so relieved."

I stepped back out of the hug.

"I'm here for my ultrasound," I said, loud enough for the chairs. "Dr. Pelham has it. I'd like it now."

Two of the six looked up.

A man with a laptop kept typing.

"Let me see if he's free," Pia said gently.

"He's free. He told the radio I could come and get it."

Christian's door opened at that moment.

He wore a gray sweater and held the black notebook closed against his chest.

"Emmy," he said. "Thank you for coming in."

"I'm not coming in. I'm picking up something that belongs to me."

"Of course." He turned to the room with a small, brave smile. "Everyone, I'm so sorry. My wife and I are going through something personal. Would you give us a moment of grace?"

Nobody moved.

The woman nearest the door had a toddler's mitten in her lap, and she was staring at me.

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