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“Why? Is so?”

“Yes No I don’t know” Rachel sounded exasperated

“Can I help?’

“Can you get ht to Philadelphia And I’ll see that you’re canonized for perforently reproachful

“What’s wrong with an to cry

Julia’s heart tore at the sound of her best friend’s sobs Rachel’s tears were the soul-baring cries of a woman who desperately wished to become a mother

“Rachel, sweetie I’m so sorry” Julia felt her own eyes water as she listened, not knohat to say

When Rachel’s tears subsided, she spoke “We’ve both been to the doctor The probleoing to have to start having hormone injections in the hope that they can jump-start my ovaries Or else”

Rachel sniffled

“I’ deal?” Julia’s question was hesitant

“You could say that Damn it, I don’t knohy my body won’t cooperate! The one ti important, it fails me I just don’t understand”

“What does Aaron say?”

Rachel laughed “It’s what he doesn’t say He keeps tellingork out I’d rather he told me that he was pissed off and disappointed”

“Is he?”

“How could he not be? I am”

“I’m sure he’s upset because you are”

“That doesn’t help me”

“Then talk to him”

“Why, so I can discuss how much of a failure I am? No thanks”

“Rach, you aren’t a failure And it sounds like you have options So don’t give up hope”

Rachel didn’t respond

“Do you want to coht now But you’re coht We’ll be hooes into labor”

“Have you heard from them lately?”

“I talk to them on the phone every Sunday, and Diane sendsis okay, but they’re still worried about the stress of delivery on the baby She’s going to deliver at the Children’s Hospital, which oes into labor Or get a hotel in the city around her due date”