Mamaputs on her brave face. “I’ll pray for her, love. You two go onnow. Don’t you worry about a thing.”
“Thanks, mama.” I say, and mama kisses me on thecheek.
We hopinto Blake’s truck and I feel my gut clench. It’s so early in thepregnancy, and I’m terrified. Poor Ellie. She must be besideherself.
“So, what’s the story, man? Who’s this Denicegirl?”
I lickmy lips. “She’s Ellie’s ex-sister-in-law. They’re best friends.Said she started bleeding real bad and that the doctor’s with hernow. That’s all I know.”
“Shit, man.” Blake hesitates. “It happens. Happened to Ruby,too. Sometimes these things just don’t work out, you know.” Hereasons.
“Yeah.” I nod.
He clapsme on the back. “It’s gonna be okay, man. You’ll see. This is God’swork, as mama always says.”
“Yeah.” I nod again, trying not swallow down the bile in mythroat. I need to get to that hospital immediately, to see thatEllie’s okay. If anything ever happened to her, God, I don’t evenwant to think about it. I’d rather die. When we arrive, Blake and Iare shown to the room where Ellie is. As soon as she sees me, shecovers her eyes with her hand. “Ellie?” I murmur, going toher.
I see awoman sitting on her bed, which I assume is Denice. Forgetting mymanners, I don’t even introduce myself. Blake walks out of theroom, and Denice follows, giving us privacy. “God, Maverick, whatare you doing here.” She gasps.
I don’twant to answer that, so I ask. “What happened? Are youokay?”
Anothergasp. “No, I’m not okay.” She swallows and then whimpers. “Thebaby’s gone.”
I restmy head on her forearm, defeated. “I’m so sorry, darlin’.I’m…so…sorry.”
She sobsand I wrap my arms around her. “Did anything happen? Are you sick?”I ask, very concerned.
Sheshakes her head no. “It just dissolved. Like it neverexisted.”
I kissher head. “It’s okay, love. As long as you’re okay.”
Shewipes her eyes with her hand and I pull back. “Do you needanything? Are you okay?”
“No.” She takes in a cleansing breath and looks at me. “I wantto go home.”
“Did the doctor say you could?”
“Not yet. But this place gives me the willies.”
I changethe subject. “How come you didn’t want to call me?”
She batsher hand in front of her face, as if there’s a fly. “I don’t wantto talk about it. Just…get me out of here.”
“Okay, darlin’. I’ll go find a doctor.”
I getup, feeling so awful for her. She’s freaked right out. I go outsidethe room and see Denice and Blake standing there. “She wants to gohome. She’s really shaken up.”
“There’s her doctor right there.” Denice says. “I’ll go grabhim.”
Afterthe doctor releases her, with instructions to go see hergynecologist ASAP, Denice drives her home, and I have Blake drop meoff at her house. Ellie stands in her kitchen, looking like she’sin someone else’s house. Denice gets a call and has to leave theroom. “Can I get you anything, darlin’?” I ask.
“No.” she says, massaging her temples. “I need some water.”She says, as if confused.
I grabher some and Denice re-enters the room. “Ellie, I’m so sorry, butthat was work. I have to go. But I’ll come back in a couple ofhours. There’s a meeting that couldn’t be pushed back that I can’tmiss. Are you okay for a couple of hours?”
“I’ll stay with her.” I offer, and I look at Ellie, wonderingif she’ll refute.
“Okay, thanks.” Denice says. “I’ll be back as soon as Ican.”
