“OK. I’ll keep that in mind.” There was a pause, “So, what are you doing at the Planet?”

“Getting some coffee, you?”

“Meeting some friends. Are, um… are you meeting anyone? Because you could join us, if you’d like.”

“No, I’m not meeting anyone, but I don’t want to intrude on your meeting.”

“You wouldn’t be intruding. I invited you. You know what? I insist.”

Andrea looked at her, the kindness and warmth still in her eyes.

“OK.”

“All right?”

“OK.”

Kit wiped her hands on the hospital gown and sighed. She usually didn’t sweat much, but today she was more nervous than she had ever been. The door creaked as it opened, and her doctor entered.

“Hello again, Kit.” She smiled at her patient.

“Hey, Dr. San.” Kit replied taking a deep breath.

“OK, I’m going to cut the crap.” She began, staring into Kit’s eyes and leaning forward in her chair. “Which do you want first: the bad news or the worse news?”

Kit’s breathing got faster as she lied back and managed to force out, “Bad.”

“OK, the bad news… Well, I guess you could take this as good news. Anyways, the news is you don’t have to choose whether or not to have an abortion, adopt, or keep the child.”

Kit bolted up.

“What?”

“Which brings me to the worse news.” Dr. San looked down, then out the window, trying to find the right words. She had a script before, but now, feeling the emotions, she couldn’t remember the words. “Kit, because you got pregnant during menopause, which, by the way, is not unnatural or wrong in any way, your baby has… passed away.”

Kit was frozen.

”But… But how? I mean, he, she, it… wasn’t even…”

“I know, Kit.” Dr. San got up and squeezed her patient’s shoulder before heading for the door. “I’ll let you have a little time alone.”

And the door shut. Kit didn’t even notice she had gone, the words still trying to articulate themselves in her mind and mouth, but being mumbled as others rushed to take their place before they could be processed. She felt hot tears she hadn’t felt until now pour down her cheeks and she buried her face in her hands.

“Why…?”