"Thedouble lines mean you arepregnant dear, see,"
She holds up the box indicating theinstructions, but I ignore her.
"But, I'm not pregnant. That'simpossible," I say in disbelief.
"Oh! A baby," Mrs.Cunningham shrills, clapping quickly with excitement.
"We haveso much to do, so much to prepare for! First and foremost we have tostart planning a baby shower, and, Anna, we need to start lookinginto finding you your own home. We need to plan doctor'sappointments and get you to a library so we can find you some booksto learn from and..."
I tune out Mrs. Cunningham's rapidtone. A baby. A baby? How is this possible?
I lay my head downon my pillow and stare at the wooden wall my cramped bed is pressedup against. Walter watches Mrs. Cunningham nervously, he is clearlyout of his element. With me ignoring her, he is the one in charge ofhumoring her with attention even though she is mostly talking toherself. They both wander out of the room with Mrs. Cunningham'senthusiastic voice trailing behind her. I lay in silence, alone in mydiminutive room. What am I going to do? What has happened tome?
The next few days pass in a blur. It seems as though Mrs.Cunningham has a new mission in life and it's to prepare me for'our surprise'. Still in shock, I go along with whatever she drags metoo. I 'oh' and 'ah' when required, but I have no idea whether she istalking about the color of the napkins for the baby shower, or how toapply a diaper to a newborn. My only request was to see a midwife, Irefuse to go anywhere near any kind of hospital setting. Mrs.Cunningham reluctantly agrees. One thing that does pull me from mydreary mood is her and Walt surprising me with my own apartment!They payed the deposit for me, and as long as I promise to helparound the shelter and volunteer when needed, they promise to takecare of the payments.
"We have very generous donations cominginto my church, Anna," Mrs. Cunningham insists,
"They wereall more than happy to help you to get on your feet. This apartmentis actually owned by one of our very own members. So do not worryabout a thing. Everyone is more than happy to help you."
Overwhelmedand uncomfortable from all the help I hold back my tears and swallowmy pride. Who would turn down their own apartment?
"I don'tknow what to say, where to begin, or who to thank. Thank you so muchMrs. Cunningham," I blubber.
"Oh, honey, you are more thanwelcome," she says, pulling me in for a hug.
"We all want togive you and your baby the best start possible. It was our pleasure.I'll give you some space so you can look around and make yourselfat home. Oh, and all mirrors were removed. They are in that closetthere for when you're ready. You have to face yourself sooner orlater," she says before pecking me on the cheek.
"Learn tolove yourself."
With another tight hug from her and a heavypat on my shoulder from Walter they depart, leaving me in awe of mynew home.
