because it makes things more real. I’m not one to deny my situation, but I’ve been hit with a lot today.
“The baby,” she sobs. “What about the baby?”
My hand cups her cheek, but the touch is only a whisper.
“The doctor is coming. You’ll have all your answers.” Her eyes widen in fear. “We don’t know anything. They want to do an exam, but they were holding off until you were awake. They didn’t want you to feel violated.”
We explained to the medical staff when we first arrived about the possibility of her pregnancy, and they assured us they wouldn’t do anything to compromise her even further.
A soft tap hits the door before it’s pushed open. Dr. Wineman, the same female doctor that treated her earlier, walks in with a soft smile. Simone was exhausted after Matthews left and was asleep again by the time the doctor made rounds.
“You’re awake. I’m Dr. Alicia Wineman. How are you feeling today? You’re lucky to not have any broken bones. There are no soft spots on your skull to suggest cerebral damage. You will be sore for days to come, but I expect you to make a full recovery. Your larynx shows some trauma, but that will heal as well.”
“The baby?” Simone asks, and I can tell from the look in her eyes that she doesn’t believe she’ll get good news.
“We attempted to do an abdominal ultrasound in the emergency room. How far along are you?”
“My last period was seven weeks ago,” she answers, her focus completely on the doctor now.
“A vaginal sonogram may show us more.” Dr. Wineman looks from me to Jinx. “If you two will step out in the hall for a few moments.”
I look down at Simone, but she won’t look at me. When Jinx angles his head, indicating for me to follow him out, I do.
“She doesn’t want us in there?” I would’ve stood by her side.
“It’s her body, man. You aren’t her boyfriend.”
I didn’t want to leave the room, and fuck if I understand why I even feel this way. I don’t even know if she wants to have a baby. I could tell by the pain in her eyes when she asked that she’d be upset if she lost it, but there are other options to raising a child, adoption being one of them.
It seems like a year passes before Dr. Wineman opens the door and tells us we can come back inside. Simone’s cheeks are still stained with her tears, but she seems calmer than before we were asked to leave.
“So?” Jinx prods.
“Simone?” Dr. Wineman defers to her patient before she speaks, and I respect her even more for doing so even though I’m dying to know what the outcome of the tests were. Simone gives her a slight nod, indicating that it’s okay for her to relay her medical information to us. “The baby’s heartbeat is strong. There’s no indication that the trauma Mrs. Murphy suffered this evening was transferred to the fetus. Date of conception seems to be about five weeks ago which places the fetus at seven weeks of growth which is on par with what the ultrasound shows.”
My mind works overtime with the news, and when I look up at Jinx, I can see his brain running through his calendar as well.
“Do you have any questions for me, Simone?”
She shakes her head, and then the doctor disappears with the promise to check in with her again before she leaves for the night.
The silence covers us like a blanket. It’s smothering, making it hard to breathe.
“Who’s the father?” Jinx finally manages when I can’t seem to muster the courage to ask.
A baby changes everything.
“Simone,” I prod when she doesn’t answer. My heart is pounding a million miles a minute, and I’m not one hundred percent certain I even want to hear her answer right now but at the same time, we can’t work through anything without her response.
“I didn’t go to the clubhouse to try to trap anyone,” she whispers, her eyes darting across the room rather than looking in either of our directions. She pauses before tilting her head in my direction “I needed help. We haven’t talked about your job, but I listen around the bar. I know you guys help people. I needed help.”
She deflates, her tense body sinking deep into the hospital bed, and I’m sure if she could disappear, she’d take that opportunity right now.
“Is it mine?” I finally manage, unable to wait any longer for her to