“Nothing,” she protests, her arms crossed.
“Then, what did they tell you?”
She’s embarrassed, her focus on the ground. It’s clear she doesn’t want to answer me.
“Fern!” I’m done with playing games. I want answers.
“That you can’t have children. She said you had an exstomy, which I presume means a vasectomy.”
I nod confirming what was said. “Are you going to tell Gemma?”
“How can I not?” She gulps.
“I’m asking you not to. She deserves to be happy.” I’m begging her.
“She was happy,” she exclaims, walking out on me.
Sitting back in my chair, I recline and think. I need to get to Gemma before Fern does. My only problem is, it’s Fern’s lunch time and I’m stuck here working with two children to look after.
GEMMA
There’s an odd call from Fern. It’s unlike her to want to meet during work. Putting on my cute pink dress, I apply some light makeup and get into my car.
“Hi.” I kiss Fern on the cheek as I sit down with an orange juice. She’s looking stressed.
“You might want something stronger," she says. She isn’t one to encourage me to drink.
“I’m driving. What’s wrong?”
She takes a moment to formulate what she needs to say.
“Alex had a meeting, so he left me to watch the kids. Eden… She told me something. She said you wanted a baby,” Fern says, treading carefully as though admitting it might break me. “Gem, he broke up with you because he can’t have a baby with you. He had a vasectomy. He let you go because he wanted to give you the world, and he couldn’t. He wanted you to not have to choose.” She stares at me as she drops this bombshell.
“You’re trusting a six-year-old?” I question her.
“Alex confirmed it. He can’t have a baby.”
The waitress arrives, but I can't do this. “I’ve got to go.” I stand up, leaving her.
“He loves you,” Fern shouts after me as I run out the door.
I can't handle this. I'm not equipped to handle this. I need to speak to someone. I need to talk to an adult. I may be an adult, but I need more of an adult.
“Mum,” I shout as I run into the house. “Mum?” I find her in the garden, pruning the roses.
“Yes, why are you shouting?” she asks, standing up and looking at me.
“He couldn’t have a baby, that’s why he broke up with me.” I look at her, tears filling my eyes.
“What?” she gasps. Mum rubs the back of her gloved hand over her brow, leaving a slight, brown smudge behind.
Wiping at my eyes furiously, I say, “Fern found out today and told me.”
“Fern found out?” my mother says. "How did Fern find out any of this?"
“Fern works for Alex.”
“Fern works for Alex?”
