Chapter 58

The next day, Jocelyn tagged along with Quinta to the city hospital for a check–up. There was a whole laundry list of things to get checked out, so there was no way they were gonna breeze through it quickly. All sorts of tests and reports consumed time to process.

While Quinta was getting poked and prodded, Jocelyn stayed out in the waiting area.

Only when you’re actually in the thick of it will you realize just how many folks are itching to have a bun in the oven but can’t seem to make it happen. It’s mostly women flying alone here, barely a dude in sight.

Jocelyn found it kind of heartbreaking.

Having babies is a two–person gig, but somehow it always seems to fall back on the ladies responsibility. Can’t get pregnant? It’s on the woman. Didn’t give birth to a son? That’s on her too. Kid’s got a bad attitude? Guess who’s fault that is. Bad grades? You guessed it. It’s like the guys have nothing to do with it.

Sometimes, Jocelyn could totally get why Melvin wasn’t keen on tying the knot.

Sure, there are happy marriages out there. It’s a fifty–fifty shot. But who knows what your own marriage is gonna look like?

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Quinta got her hands on all her medical reports. One of her fallopian tubes was totally blocked, and the other was inflamed, making it tough to get pregnant. Even if she did, the chances of an ectopic pregnancy were sky–high. The doctor suggested getting the tubes removed and going for IVF.

Clutching the reports, Quinta sat down, trying her darnedest not to cry, but her eyes reddened anyway. She bit her lip, trying to fake some calm and shook her head at Jocelyn, “I’m fine.”

Jocelyn couldn’t truly get it, but she knew this hit Quinta like a ton of bricks.

She gave her a gentle hug, choked up, “Quinta, don’t worry. It’s just surgery, right? I’m here for you.”

Quinta couldn’t hold back any longer and just bawled into Jocelyn’s arms.

Jocelyn couldn’t help but tear up too, with the sound of Quinta’s muffled sobs.

Hospitals are ground zero for tears. It’s said that hospital walls have heard more heartfelt prayers than any church. People who come here are praying for the best.

After a while, Quinta dried her tears and let go of Jocelyn, “I’ll go splash some water on my face.”

“Okay.”

Jocelyn waited by the door with Quinta’s stuff.

Suddenly, someone bumped into her, and the medical reports scattered everywhere. The person who bumped her seemed in a rush, muttered a quick sorry, and dashed off.

what can you do in that situation? She squatted

mess

of shiny shoes stopped in front of a report. Jocelyn reached out, picked it

face above the shoes was not a happy

up. This was not the time for pleasantries. Might as

find another

of the reports but only saw the

her bag and

“What’s

distant, even taking a step

her vibe, snorted coldly, eyeing Jocelyn, “I underestimated you. You’ve

at him puzzled, not getting his

to explain to me?” Melvin was

slightly,

pissed, especially seeing her innocent act. It

idea how she kept her cool

of Quinta! Is Quinta’s family

and hurried in,

you run off to? She’s fainted!” The nurse scolded Jocelyn, “Hurry and take care of her.” Jocelyn rushed after the nurse to find Quinta on the emergency room bed, looking as pale as a ghost. “Quinta!” Jocelyn

sure she gets some

“Thank you.”

She thought she should let Quinta’s husband know, since he was the one ought to be here

a big surgery, her

  1. it.

Jocelyn dialed her brother–in–law’s

before he picked up.

“Damian, it’s Jocelyn.

Damian sounded even–keeled.

“I mean, if you’ve got the time, could you maybe take a day off to be

at work, can’t really get away. Jocelyn, could you please keep Quinta company? Talk her through this. Tell her not to stress so much. If it turns out

situation and felt slightly reassured by his

opening her eyes, “Quinta, still

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