Skip to content 
“How much longer for you?”
I stared at the street, trying not to cry. “No one… anymore. My ex, Lee, left when I told him I was pregnant. And I got the call this morning, the seizure. I don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
She studied me, scrutinizing my face. “You do this all by yourself.”
I gave a half-smile. “It certainly seems so. I’m stubborn, I suppose.”
“Stubborn is just another word for strong,” said Ms. Higgins. “But even strong women sometimes need a break.”
The rest of the lawn seemed to take forever. My body was screaming at me, but finishing was the only thing that made sense. When I was done, I put the mower away, wiped my hands on my shorts, and tried not to notice how blurry my vision was getting.
“I guess I’m stubborn.”
Ms. Higgins squeezed my hand, hers surprisingly firm. “You’re a good girl, Ariel. Don’t forget it.” She looked at me with an odd intensity, as if she were memorizing my face. “Don’t let this world take that away from you.”
I tried to joke. “If the world wants something from me, it will have to wait until I take a nap.”
She smiled. “Get some rest, darling.”
I greeted her as I walked home, grateful for the shade. That night, I lay in bed, my hand on my stomach, staring at the cracks in the ceiling. I felt lighter, just for a moment.
“Get some rest, darling.”
***