Page 77 of Georgia: Britain's Story: Part 1
“I’m not leaving. I’ll just be in the waiting room. When you get discharged, I’ll take you home.”
I laugh, a cruel laugh. “I don’t have a home here, Alex.” Liam was my home, and what a fucking joke that turned out to be. He doesn’t respond, just drops his head and leaves me.
Sandy and Jim walk into the room, carrying an oversized bouquet and a box of croissants. The look Sandy gives me when she walks in lets me know everything I need to. She knows.
“He told you first, didn't he?”Fucking momma’s boy. Sandy nods her head.
“Did he tell you why?” She shakes her head no.
“Yeah, me neither.” I wonder if she’ll actually say anything to me. I wait, hoping someone will fill the void, when finally Jim speaks up.
“Fresh batch of croissants, dear. Different recipe this time. I’ll be needing your feedback before I take them live.” He approaches me, setting the box in my lap in the bed. I just nod, trying hard not to cry.
“Thank you, Jim. I’ll let you know how they are, okay?” My voice cracks. “Do you think you could give Sandy and me a minute alone?” He nods, but bends down putting a kiss on the top of my head before exiting the room. I lost the love of my life, and the people I thought would be my surrogate parents, people I loved. I wasn’t planning to do this, but might as well get it all over with.
“You might want to take a seat for this, Sandy.” Her face is pale, and she’s rubbing her hands together nervously. She sits down on the edge of a chair by the window.
“You’re, um, well, you’re going to be a grandma. A real one.” She gasps as both hands fly to her face, her eyes wide. “I should say, there’s a chance I’ll miscarry. Head injuries in the first trimester can cause that to happen, and it’s still very early. But I thought you’d want to know. I don’t know that I’m going to be coming back to Spearhead anytime soon, so…I know that might be problematic if you want to be involved in their life. I’m getting a little ahead of myself here. I still have many months to figure this out and see what happens. I just thought you should know.”
“Does Liam know?” It comes out as a whisper.
“I don’t know. I’ve tried calling and texting, but he doesn’t respond. I did text him to tell him I was in the hospital having MRIs and ultrasounds, and that I was pregnant, but he never responded. I tried. I’m not going to track him down beyond that. I don’t need him for anything, and I won’t have my child begging for attention either. It’s his loss.”
“Yes it is, his loss,” Sandy says, just nodding her head vehemently. She looks down at my ring finger. I notice, holding up my hand.
“He took it from me last night. He took his ring back, and said goodbye. So that’s it, huh?” I look at Sandy who has tears streaming down her face, the same as me.
“I’m so sorry,” is all she says.
“Me, too. I tried, Sandy. I tried to take care of your baby, but he didn’t want it. He didn’t want me.”
“That’s not true, Britain.”
“It is. If he wanted me, he would be here. Well, he wouldn't beherebecause I wouldn’t be in this hospital bed. I’d be home with him, but I’m not. Umm, which reminds me, do you think you could get my things from his house? I don’t care about any of the clothes, I just want my jewelry case and the box of Georgia’s stuff. Would you do that for me?”
“Yes, of course. I can pack up your clothes. It’s not too much, I promise.”
“No, really, I don’t want any of it. You can donate all of it, burn it. I don’t want any of it.”
“Okay, baby.”
“Also, if you could not tell anyone about the pregnancy, that would be great. Obviously Jim doesn’t count. It’s just early and this could all end up as nothing.”
“Do you not want me to tell Liam?”
“I assume he will check his phone eventually and figure it out, but I leave that up to you. Whether you do or not won’t affect my relationship with you. I’ll never forget the kindness you paid to Georgia, and to me, even to Alex.” I just give her a half smile. She doesn’t say anything at all, just giving me a brief embrace before walking out of the room, tears streaming down her face.
Jen walks back into the room. “You know you’re going to live, right? Everyone who comes out of this room looks like they just found out their best dog died.” I can’t help but laugh.
“Misery follows me wherever I go, Jen. Tread carefully.”
“Well then, Queen of Darkness, ultrasound is ready for you.”
The ultrasound was uneventful. It showed nothing had changed, so as soon as the bloodwork comes back, I can leave, thank god. I had two more visitors, Rick and Carly. Both were brief and polite, and I made sure to bid them a final farewell. Kind of crazy to think of having such a humiliating experience, and then have all the people who were present come visit the following day. Like,“Yasss, thanks so much for coming to visit so that we may both bask in my embarrassment and shame!” Ugh.
There should only be one person left out there. Well, two if you count Alex. I don’t even bother trying to look in the mirror or fix my appearance before Matthias comes in. I’m too sad and exhausted to care, but I can’t help that my heart skips a beat when the door opens, but it’s just Jen.
“Good news, sunshine. Bloodwork was good. Your hormone levels increased from yesterday. I’m going to get the paperwork ready for discharge. Need some help putting on your clothes?” Well, at least I get to leave, but I can’t stand the thought of having to put that dress back on. I shudder.
