A Mile In My Shoes

TWENTY TWO

Omniscient

"What's wrong with her?" Samaria asked, peeping over her shoulder at Dellen, sitting in the recliner, gazing out of the window while carelessly fumbling his phone back and forth in his hands. "I know she's the quiet type but she's been extra introverted lately. It's almost depressing to look at."

"I agree." Capri nodded, watching Dellen as well. For two days, no one could barely get a word out of him. Initially, Capri figured he was still coming to terms with having a period, but, she knew something else was bothering him. "I'll talk to her later. Is your homework finished?"

"Since when do you care if I've done my homework? Better question, when have you known me not to do it?"

"Just asking." Capri scrunched her face up and lightly nudged Maria's shoulder. "But did you?"

"Not yet." She mumbled, looking down at her pizza.

Chuckling, Capri shook her head. "And that's precisely why I asked. Get it done after you eat."

Just then, Skylar walked in, looking weak and faint. Capri had been keeping her end of the deal by ignoring the teenager but yesterday she'd been keeping a close eye on her. Sky has been looking sickly and fragile and not the sickness associated with being pregnant. It worried Capri, so she officially stopped the petty antics Dellen wanted her to do and started acknowledging her. Dellen was so out of it these days, Capri didn't think he paid attention, or better yet he didn't care.

"How are you feeling Sky?" Capri queried, intensely watching the girl drag herself to the island and sit down.

"Like crap. These awful cramps never fail to shock me and I'm still bleeding a little bit." Skylar explained through clenched teeth as another cramp tore through her abdomen. "I thought you said it'll ease up in a few days."

"And you listened to him? Our brother who knows nothing about pregnancy." Samaria shook her head. "I could've told you not to trust his words on this one."

"Hey, I know more about women's bodies and being pregnant than y'all think." Capri replied offensively.

"If that was true, you'd know Skylar is experiencing the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy." Samaria said in a nonchalant tone. Both Capri and Skylar stared at her with small frowns, waiting for her to continue. Looking up from her plate, she sighed, dropping her pizza on the plate. "An ectopic pregnancy is when the egg grows outside of the uterus, more than likely the fallopian tubes. It's extremely dangerous--life-threatening. That's what Skylar is experiencing."

The news wasn't anything foreign to Capri but for Skylar, it was terrifying. "So, what does that mean for the baby?" She hesitantly asked.

"It means you lose the baby." Samaria mumbled.

"Well, what if I choose to keep it?"

Capri chimed in. "You'll still lose the baby and your life as well. Fallopian tubes aren't meant to carry a child. They will rupture, causing you to bleed out and die."

"He's right, Sky. This baby won't make it either way, so why risk your life to keep this pregnancy going?"

Silence invaded the space between the ladies. Capri and Samaria are afraid to say anything that'll set Skylar off. It wasn't until Dellen came where they were and finally spoke. "I need to talk to you." He pointed at Capri.

"Uh...ok. Sky we need to make an appointment with your doctor Monday."

"I don't have a doctor." Sadness laced her voice.

"Oh, well, we'll find one, okay?" She nodded, keeping her eyes on the counter. "Samaria, get that homework done." Capri followed Dellen upstairs to his room and sat on the ottoman at the foot of his bed. "What's up?"