Moments That Change Lives

But, a week later Henry’s holiday had come to an end and he had announced his departure from the place. An unforgettable experience. That’s how he had described the tour the last time they had crossed paths in the agency. Unfortunately she didn’t have the chance to say her goodbye, for she turned in sick. And indeed she was awfully ill since the morning. The sun was striking her head like a spear as she couldn’t bring herself to stand up.

Then the growling of her stomach came and she sensed something coming up her throat. She knew she was about to vomit.

Mira’s feet at once hit the floor, sprinting to the bathroom. Her stomach was emptied into the toilet and she felt at ease once again. However, there was still a strange feeling in her stomach and in her head. This wasn’t herself.

“What is wrong with me?” She said out loud while trying to go back into her room. She put her hands on the walls to orient herself and managed to flop on the bed like a sack of potatoes. Sleep instantly clouded her thoughts and closed her eyes.

She dreamed of stars all over her head glancing and winking at her. But as she was walking she was carrying some weight when she realized that it was a rock she was holding in her hands. Her arms were strong yet her veins still popped up from the huge effort she placed into that rock. Her whole body was bathing in sweat, her heart was ready to pass out, however there was still strength in her. She wasn’t giving up. Not even in dreams. No, sir. No, siree!

“Up! Up, girl! Rise and shine!” Her eardrums were shaken by the sound of Angelo.

“No, I want to stay in bed,” she grumbled. “Please, leave me alone.”

“Oh, no, girl. Leaving you alone is not an option. Come on, I made you some soup and tea with lemon. Just like you like it,” he said and she heard clatter of plates and kitchen utensils. “Mr. Masters boarded the plane home and said to thank you from the bottom of his heart for making an unfulfilled dream real.”

Mira’s eyelids lifted up. The windows had been opened letting the breeze ruffle the curtains. It was a fine day and she was desperately sorry that she had to spend it in bed with a terrible bellyache.

As she sat up in bed, Angelo’s bottom found its place at the foot of her bed. “Where did you get so ill, M?”

“I don’t know really. My nose is not running and my throat appears to be just fine. My stomach, however. Oh God, I thought I was going to die in the morning. My head is splitting, too. It’s horrible,” she replied, rubbing her belly.

“What did you eat last, remember?”

“Um, I suppose yesterday’s dinner at the lobby of the hotel. Chicken and rice. The cook knows me and plus the place is exceptionally clean. I’m absolutely sure it’s not from the food.”

“Then what can it be?” Angelo asked looking at the horizon through the windows. “Have you been, err, doing stuff?”

“What kind of stuff?”

“You know.” Angelo made a circle with his fingers on the left hand while sliding his index finger on the right hand through it.

“No, no. And besides…” Mira looked down in her lap. “I can’t conceive. The doctors told me that I can’t be a mother…”

“Oh… I-I am so sorry. I didn’t know,” Angelo said squeezing her hand in support.

“I learned to live with it. It’s truly a miracle how many things people can live with… You know, Angelo, I’ve embraced the fact that destiny has decided to leave me alone. I no longer torture myself with that.” Mira confessed although she felt a strange pang of pain in her heart. But no. Mira Glass was not a crying woman. She would not cry.

She sat side by side with her friend without exchanging a word more until the bile rose again in her throat and she vomited again in the bathroom. Returning with her face sweaty and her hands trembling, Angelo stood up before her.

“Mira, you know what? I’ve read about stuff that are invisible to medicine and that even the doctors can’t explain. What if… I mean… Maybe something happened and you’re… I don’t know. If you’ve been together with Raoul lately…” Angelo was struggling to say the right things but Mira ended his efforts.

“You think I’m pregnant? No, Angelo. Raoul…” She stopped then as the image of two naked bodies in a cave lighted only by a faint flame blinded her sight. If only Angelo knew. No. She and Henry had agreed never to talk about it. And not to mention that she and Raoul hadn’t slept together in months.

“Raoul?” Angelo was blinking in anticipation.

“What?” Mira said confusingly.

“You mentioned Raoul and then trailed off,” Angelo told her and she waved her hand.

“It doesn’t matter. I forgot what to say.”

“No, but seriously, Mira. If I were you, I would check. Go to the pharmacy and buy a test. It won’t cost you anything to try. No hopes up. Just a try.” Angelo put his hands on her upper arms. “I’ll wait by the bathroom while you do it. I’ll be with you.”

“I don’t know…” Mira said but in the end it was Angelo that won the argument.

An hour later she had gone to the pharmacy, bought the pregnancy test and locked herself in the bathroom. Even though she knew what the outcome would be she wanted to at least have proof to show it to Angelo.

She waited inside, the test clutched in her hand while different thoughts washed over her. What was she doing? Consciously letting herself down. It was obvious. Mira Glass was never meant to be a mother. Never meant to watch her own kids grow before her eyes. That was a pleasure other women shared but not her.

“And?” Angelo’s voice came from outside making Mira realize that the needed time had elapsed. She slowly opened her hand, her heart racing in her chest. Hope was indeed the most powerful thing.

A plus. A plus blinked before her eyes and for a moment she thought that she was imagining things. Then it hit her all at once. It was a plus. The test was… Positive. Impossible. Surreal. A miracle. Her knees suddenly gave way and Mira crouched on the floor, the test pressed on her chest. Her whole body, her whole soul was shaking. She was pregnant. A baby lived in her stomach. Her baby.

And just like that Mira Glass became a crying woman. A rivulet of tears left the corners of her eyes and a loud sob escaped her lungs. She was trembling in a liberating cry. Oh my God! Miracles really happened.

“Mira? Are you okay? Mira?” Angelo’s worried voice reached her and she sniffled loudly, wiping her tears. She found some strength to stand up and open the door. Her whole face was stretched out in a wide smile in the same time tears not stopping their way down her cheeks.

“I am pregnant!” She shot the news at once still in shock. Everything was blended in her head. And out of that mess a single thought came to the surface. She voiced it. “I have to tell Henry!”

“Pregnant? Who’s Henry? Henry! Henry Masters?” Angelo seemed even more lost than her.

“The father! Henry’s the father!”