Larry and Linda arrive, part two

Leta was waiting for her daughter Vivian in the lobby of the doctor’s office. When she made the appointment, Vivian asked her mother to accompany her, and Leta agreed. Of course, Leta already knew the reason for this medical visit. Vivian told her on Sunday afternoon when they ate their weekly Sunday dinner together at Leta’s. Vivian was exhibiting symptoms of being pregnant. This was not the first time she had done so, but since the birth of her 12-year-old son Don, every other pregnancy failed. The last time, Vivian seemed to be pregnant—after three months of morning sickness and bloating, she learned that she was not with child at all. She had wanted too much to have another child that her mind convinced her body that she was pregnant. For Vivian, pregnancy always resulted in heartbreak, and they anticipated that this would be no different. After all, she was now thirty-seven years old and had not even been pregnant in at least six years.

When Leta first saw her daughter’s face as she opened the door from the inner offices to the waiting room, she observed a combination of uncertainty and happiness. Leta put the magazine she had been scanning down and stood. Vivian walked across the room to her.

“Ma—“she started, but Leta could not help herself.

“—You are pregnant!” Leta gasped incredulously. Vivian’s face flushed and tears gathered in her eyes.

“Yes, it looks that way,” she answered, her breath heavy and loud. “We won’t know for sure until the test results come back, but the doctor believes I am.”

“Oh my!” Leta exclaimed, gently slapping her hands on her cheeks.

“I can hardly believe it,” Vivian agreed. For the next few moments, mother and daughter stood in the waiting room, facing each other and smiling without a word.

“Come,” Leta finally said, taking Vivian by the wrist and walking her to the coat rack.

By the time they reached the car on that cold January morning, however, Vivian had become stiff and somber. They were walking arm-in-arm, and Vivian freed herself at the passenger door.

“Ma,” she said and paused.

Leta looked at her.

“Yes, darling?”

“I think it’s best that for right now, we don’t say anything,” Vivian stated. “Not until we know for sure. It doesn’t make sense to trouble anyone for no reason.”

Vivian’s face was clear and determined. Gone were the brief features of joy.

“Of course, darling,” Leta said and nodded. “Mums the word.”

“Thank you,” Vivian said and started to turn.

“But you’ll let me know right after you hear, won’t you?” Leta requested.

“Yes. Certainly,” she said and then continued on her way.

It’s going to be a long few days, Leta said to herself.

To be continued.