“Yes.”
“The doctor said her heart is strong.”
“That’s good.”
Clara nodded.
Then she began crying.
“I thought she was coming out.”
I sat beside the bed.
“You were very scared.”
“Yes.”
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Ethan cried in the bathroom.”
I looked toward the door.
“How do you know?”
“I heard him.”
She became quiet again.
After a minute, she said, “The baby’s father is Julian.”
I waited.
“He worked at the art center.”
“Was he your boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Eight months.”
“What happened when you became pregnant?”
“He got angry.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“Not with his hands.”
She pointed at her chest.
“With words.”
“What did he say?”
“He said the baby could have Down syndrome.”
Her sentences became slower.
“He said he did not want two people like me.”
I felt sick.
“He said that?”
“Yes.”
“Clara, that was cruel.”
