A friend asked, “What happens after they’re born?”
Peter laughed again.
“Each family gets the child they were promised. Nora’s doing what she’s useful for.”
The ultrasound pictures fell. One landed with its image against the carpet.
Someone else sounded concerned. “And if she finds out?”
“She’s six months pregnant with triplets,” Peter said. “Where’s she going to go? Besides, she wants to be a mother so badly she’ll believe whatever I tell her.”
I covered my mouth, wondering whether I’d somehow misunderstood words that seemed impossible. Part of me wanted to walk inside and demand an explanation immediately. Another part could barely bear the possibility that every word had meant precisely what it sounded like. A sudden tightening spread through my abdomen. I braced against the wall, breathing through pain just as the brass handle turned.
I hastily gathered the photographs and slipped through a narrow STAFF ONLY doorway. Hidden beside folded tablecloths, I heard footsteps in the lounge.
