Lethe Vita

Chapter 6

If she squinted her eyes hard enough, she could almost imagine a dark red marker staining the hand of an imaginative child.

Instead of the needle that had suckled at her blood.

She hated needles. No amount of time in the hospital had changed that.

"Done," announced the nurse in careful English, to Brenda's relief. "We'll have the results of your serum screening in a matter of days."

"I fucking hate this part," Brenda told Val.

"I know you do, sweetie," Val soothed with a gentle touch to Brenda's head. "But it's important."

"Doesn't mean I hate it any less," said Brenda. "I've completely lost count of how many needles I've had stuck in me in this year alone."

"You're in a tricky situation."

"Yes, I know."

The appointment continued, concluding with the part that made Brenda's blood draw worth it.

"That's my baby," she told Val, pointing at the screen that contained the clearest picture she had seen thus far of her child.

"Bren," Val's voice became laden with emotion, "oh Bren, she already looks so stunning."

"I know." Brenda knew without looking that she appeared every bit the picture of a proud parent. "That's our girl," she said. "And that's her heart," she added as the resonating thrum filled the room.

"I'm gonna spoil her rotten," Val declared.

"No, you aren't."

"Want a bet? I'll get her that canopy bed your dad said was too expensive."

"The one with the rhinestone curtains?"

"Are you the father?" asked the smiling gynecologist to Valerie.

"The aunt," answered Val. She reached out her hand for Brenda to squeeze.

"My baby doesn't have a father," said Brenda.

"That isn't exactly true," said Val.

"I don't want to know anything about him," said Brenda. "He's not part of my child's life."

"Brenda -"

"I mean it, Val." Brenda sat up and re-layered her clothing. "I don't want to know. End of."

Confirming the child's health and strong heartbeat, Brenda's gynecologist swept from the room.

"Look," said Val, "Bran and I may have been a bit hasty to agree that we wouldn't tell you about the dad. In fact, you might be fal -"

"Valerie Eugenia Malone."

"Fine!" said Val. "No need to middle name me, Brenda Analiese Walsh."

"Unlike you," said Brenda, "I happen to love my middle name."

"Yeah, well, if your parents had named you Eugenia, you'd hate it too," said Val in a huff.

"You can't be mad at me. I'm pregnant."

"That's not how that works."

"Eh. It was worth a shot." Brenda glanced at the floor. "Help me down?"

"C'mon, shortie," said Valerie, submitting to Brenda's request.

"I'm barely shorter," Brenda protested.

"You're short enough," said Val. "Better hope your kid doesn't outgrow you."

"At the moment, I'm just hoping my leg doesn't cramp like it did yesterday and I don't get dizzy again like I did last night."

"I did tell you you stood too fast."