I stared at the screen. Everyone around him looked happy, but something was missing. He had that same distant look he’d had at the parade at Disney. He was in his head again about his brother. I’d gone to him then and held his hand, but I couldn’t do that from thousands of miles away.

“Look at him out there living his best life while you’re waiting for the doctor.”

I sighed. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“Nope! It’s supposed to make you feel crazy. You are.”

“So, I was supposed to let him suffer through this? Spend the next six months watching me grow another man’s child?”

“He’s literally perfect for you, Phileigh.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know guys like him don’t usually go for the plus-size girl. You are letting the entire community down.”

I rolled my eyes at her crazy ass. Guys like Kellon didn’t usually go for girls like me, but that didn’t mean I was desperate. I’d thought the same thing when Reggie came sniffing around, and now, look at me.

“Lolo, please. This is about not being a burden to someone else. I can’t. My baby and I will be fine.”

“I’m just saying… What if he didn’t see it as a burden? What if he could have handled it?”

“Handle this?” I glanced down at my stomach, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. “He doesn’t need to be tied down to my baggage.”

“Phileigh Read.” A nurse called my name, cutting off whatever Lolo was about to say next.

“Just in time,” I mumbled as I stood up, trying not to let my nerves get the best of me. I was lucky that Lolo had closed the shop this morning to come with me. I couldn’t imagine being here alone or worse… with my mother.

“Right this way,” the nurse said, leading us to a dark room at the back of the clinic. I followed her. My mind raced with each step. I was going to see my baby for the first time. That was exciting and scary at the same time.

“You can have a seat up there,” she instructed me once in the ultrasound room. “The doctor will be in shortly.”

She exited the room, and I did as I was told. I climbed onto the table and waited for the best black maternity doctor in the city.

“Okay, I heard someone in here is having a baby.” Dr. Maxwell entered with a warm smile on her face. “I’m Dr. Francesca Maxwell.”

She introduced herself, extending her hand to Lolo and then to me.

“Hello,” I said shyly. “This is my best friend Lolo.”

“Great to meet you both. I read your charts. I see this is your first pregnancy.”

“Yes.” I nodded.