“I know,” she says, softer now, her hands smoothing over the fabric of her shirt stretched across her stomach.
A few moments later, the door swings open and the doctor steps in, clipboard in hand. He greets us with a practiced smile and jumps right into the notes. I listen closely, nodding atfirst, but my focus sharpens when he brings up the high blood pressure.
He starts explaining preeclampsia, warning signs, what to watch for. Headaches that won’t go away. Sudden swelling. Changes in vision. Pain in the upper right belly.
With each symptom he lists, my stomach knots tighter. I watch Karissa. She’s listening, nodding along, but all I can think about is how she’s spent so much time alone at my place and she’s going to be even more alone once we get her in the lodge.
What if she doesn’t call? What if she waits too long? This is something we have to watch closely and take seriously, but I don’t feel as though she understands that. She doesn’t seem concerned and this is the first time I’m hearing about high blood pressure.
* * *
“You were a little uptight in there,” Karissa says soon after we leave the parking lot.
“That’s ironic, coming from the one with high blood pressure.”
“It’s fine.” She brushes it off.
“It’s not fine, Karissa.” My voice is tight.
She rolls her eyes. “I was just nervous.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I want you to stay with me until she’s born.”
“What?”
“You shouldn’t be alone. He said it can happen fast, and I don’t like that,” I admit.
“You’re overthinking. Ella said—”
“Ella wasn’t at the appointment today,” I cut in.
Karissa crosses her arms over her stomach and leans her head back against the seat. “Well, if she thinks it’s necessary then…fine, but I’m not worried.”
“Whatever.” I shake my head. Her lack of concern irritates me. This is a child. She’s about to become a mother and it doesn’t seem like she fully understands how big a deal that is.
The truck ride home is tense. I’m tense—worried for her, and for this baby.
She has nothing.
I mean, what if she developed preeclampsia tomorrow and they had to take the baby out right away? Then what? Where’s the baby gonna sleep when she brings her home—the dog kennel? She doesn’t have a crib, clothes…anything.
I need to talk to Mom and Ella. Maybe they’ll have an idea. I’m sure Ella could lend her some things Cora’s done with.
“I’m gonna drop you off and head up to my parents’ for a bit.”
“I thought you were so worried about me being alone,” she mutters.
My grip tightens on the wheel. “I am, but I won’t be long, and I trust that if you feel anything you’ll call me immediately.”
“I would,” she murmurs, playing with her hands. It reminds me of Addie. She does that when she’s nervous too.
Stepping through the threshold of the big house, the smell of food hits me. I don’t think there’s ever been a time I’ve walked in here and not smelled something cooking.
Mom’s always baking, cooking, canning, preserving something.
When I turn the corner, it’s just her. Dad’s not even in his chair, and Addison’s car was gone from out front too.
“Where’s everyone?”