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I felt conderim fate When I’d told Katy the baby wouldn’t survive, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t holding out a shred of hope After all, no matter what the complications, I didn’t want to lose the child What mother would? But, it see I would have to wait to hear it from the doctor’s lips

With a final sniffle, Katy broke free and stood to face ain

“I’m sorry,” she said, as she brushed at her cheeks with the tips of her fingers “I don’t knohat ca up for a while now”

Looking up, I smiled at her

“It’s okay, Katy, I…”

Just then, the door to the room hissed open as Dr Matthews entered Expressionless, he walked towards my bed, and Katy stepped aside He nodded in her direction for aequipment behind s At last, he lifted h on his body and focused his attention squarely on me

“Maddie…” he began as he looked down in lasses rising over the edges like small moons

“Yes”

“Listen Maddie, I’ll be frank with you”

He paused for a in

“I uhters, and one of thee If she were in this bed, I would tell her the sa to tell you I don’t know if it will make this any easier to hear--probably it won’t--but I just wanted you to know that I hope it’s reassuring If only in a small way”

I sed as he spoke A heaviness overcame me I nodded

“Okay,” I muttered “Thank you, Dr Matthews”

He exhaled and opened the folder containing s on the page before he began to speak once more

“Maddie, your situation is extremely serious, and unfortunately, you don’t have much tinancy, the chances are quite high the baby will not survive and to complicate matters, your own life is at risk”

Sliding my arms out from beneath the bed sheet, I crossed the my bump as he continued

“Your blood type is exceedingly rare, Maddie Type AB negative Do you understand what that means?”

I shook my head as I drew my eyes up to his “No”

“Well, in sinificant blood loss, the consequences to you could be lethal We don’t have enough on-hand here and to get any more before the time comes when you’ll need to reach a decision will be, well, too late I’m afraid”

With each word he spoke, I began to feel disconnected from myself I can’t explain it Maybe it’s thewith trau like it, but it didn’t seehtheadedness overwhelmed me

“Maddie,” he said, as he reached down and placed his palthe one to have to say this to you, but in this situation, it really would be the best thing for you if, well… I’ve consulted with your OB and I’m aware of the complications with the baby There really is only one prudent course of action here Do you understand what I’ you?”

I nodded

“Abortion?” I whispered

His lips thinned “Yes I’ But, you are a young, healthy woman It will pass You can still have children”

Heat flushed to rief The doctor blinked slowly and continued to rub my shoulder I inhaled and kept the tears at bay, for at least another moment or two

“How ulped

He shrugged “A day Maybe less It could be a matter of hours I really can’t say for certain”

I nodded and drew ainst the despair building within Just when I thought I had no more tears to shed, the harshness of this moment made it all too clear I still did Silence fell across the room as I straddled the line of between composure and utter breakdown Only the incessant chips and robotic beeps of theequipment entered my awareness

“Okay,” he began, as a soft ss over for now”