Chapter 13
I drove us to clinic early. Sky stayed gray, same overcast light since diner morning. Parking lot wet, potholes filled with water. Wife sat passenger seat, hands folded over coat, not over belly yet. Belly still flat. Ten weeks, she said. No show.
Waiting room smelled disinfectant and coffee. Front desk had Small Town Stronger Together poster taped behind plexiglass. Same poster from diner wall. Irony hit hard. Receptionist knew wife, nodded tight.
Nurse called her name. I stood too. Nurse looked at me, then wife. Wife nodded. I followed.
Exam room small, paper on table crinkled. Doctor came in, Dr. Patel, small, calm. She asked how far along. Wife said ten weeks, positive three weeks ago, late Jan early Feb conception window. Doctor asked about dates. Wife gave them: January 16, February 9, February 18 with me; January 27, February 12 with Marcus. Doctor wrote without reaction.
Doctor said paternity test not possible now with certainty, blood test after birth or later CVS if wanted but risks involved. She recommended wait until birth for cheek swab, accurate, safe. She said prenatal care continues regardless. She looked at me. Asked if I wanted to stay involved in appointments.
I said yes.
Wife stared at floor, then at me. Said she understood if I did not.
Doctor left us minute to talk. Door clicked.
Wife whispered, sorry for making you hear dates like that. Said fear drove silence, not love for Marcus. Said Marcus used promotion talk via Jeff to keep her quiet after she tried to end affair. Said she recorded February 28 call because she felt trapped at work.
I told her sheriff note now on file, recording not secret, not weapon, just record. Told her legal aid said keep copy for HR and vendor compliance, not internet.
She asked what we do now at home.
I said we need rules. Said I slept at shop apartment, would continue until we decide. Said we share kitchen, appointments, no pretending for town. Said honesty required, even when ugly.
She asked if I wanted divorce.
I said not today. Said I wanted child healthy, truth complete, and time to decide marriage after birth. Said paternity test after birth would decide next step, but respect decides now.
She cried quiet, not loud. Nodded.
Doctor returned with pamphlets, due date estimate early October, next ultrasound in two weeks. She handed wife prenatal vitamins, handed me appointment card.
May you like
We walked out together. Receptionist scheduled next visit. Parking lot still wet. We drove home separate cars. At house, we set truce: separate bedrooms, shared dinners, no Marcus contact, joint appointments. Fragile, but written on kitchen notepad in her handwriting.
That night I stayed at shop apartment again, but left porch light on at house.
