"I just need to know one thing," she said. "Was it something he did?"
"God no!" I blurted out. "No! Never. It was all me."
She raised an eyebrow. "Did you give him the,it's not you, it's me,speech?"
I looked away, unable to meet her eyes.
"I'm not saying you should reconsider," she told me. "I'm just saying, I've never seen Nathan broken up like this before."
"I'm sure he'll get over it in time."
"I don't know what your reason was for breaking up with him," she said, "but it better have been a damned good one. Because right now, it looks like he's going through hell."
Jessie gave me one last sad look before walking out the front door.
I didn't do my usual routine of scouring the store for misplaced merchandise. I stood behind the cash register, not bothering to greet customers. Only two people came in and left shortly. I was alone in the store for the next hour.
I stared at the cat-shaped clock on the opposite wall, seconds ticking away, waiting until I could close up and go home. Until I could wrap myself up in my blankets and fall into oblivion.
My phone rang.
I fumbled in my pockets, grabbing for it, looking at the caller ID expectantly.
It wasn't Nathan. Of course it wasn't. It was a good thing it hadn't been him. If I'd had to talk to him again, I had no idea what I'd say.
It was the hospital calling. I assumed it was Tracey. She'd probably ask me to come in for an extra shift. I contemplated ignoring it. But if she had a question about the party, I should probably answer it.
I cleared my throat and answered as calmly as I could.
"Hello?"
"Ms. Miller? I'm calling from Dr. Johnston's office."
I didn't even have time to wonder why they were calling when the woman continued.
"The doctor found something unusual when looking over your test results."
My entire body jolted, then froze. My hands trembled, grip loosening, almost dropping my phone to the ground.
"What… did they find?" I asked through a tight throat.
"I'm sorry, I really can't say over the phone. The doctor would like to speak to you in person."
My head went fuzzy. My stomach roiled. It was like I was stuck inside some terrible nightmare and I begged myself to wake up.
"When do you need me to come in?" I managed to choke out.
Her response sent a spike of terror shooting through me.
"As soon as possible."
