Taking Chances Read Free Page A

hair, and I wasn’t even sure if I was crying anymore. We left the hospital with a couple of prescriptions and assurances I should be feeling better tomorrow. I hadn’t noticed the cramping until that moment.
    The drive back with Greg was painful. I wanted to talk to him and tell him everything about how I found out I was pregnant and tried to tell him, but I couldn’t get any words out. I stayed quiet, and he seemed to understand I needed to be silent right now. When we got home, he went into the bedroom, changed the sheets and put me in bed. When I woke up again, it was dark outside. I saw the pills the doctor prescribed next to my bed, took them, and considered going back to sleep. Finally, I walked out to the living room where Greg was watching a football game. When he saw me, he turned it off and patted a spot on the sofa next to him. I sat by him and grabbed his hand.
    After three days, I told my husband I had been pregnant. Then explained to him about trying to tell him and the miscarriage. I left out Harvey taking me to the hospital, even though he knew. I didn’t believe what Harvey had told me, but I didn’t want to think about it right now.
    “Babe, would you have been happy with a baby?” I asked.
    “Of course,” he said. “I’m just sorry I’ve been so bogged down by work that you couldn’t even tell me what was going on. I’m really sorry, Audrey, and I’m going to make it up to you. Next week in St. Thomas I will be all yours, and whenever you want to start trying for a baby again, I’m all in.”
    “Thanks,” I said, putting my head on his shoulder.
    “But since I had to take off today, and we’ll be gone next week, I have to go into the office tomorrow. You’re feeling better right?”
    “Oh. Yes, I guess I’m somewhat OK now.”
    “And remember I’ll be gone Tuesday and Wednesday nights.”
    “Yes, your business trip to Chicago,” I said, disappointed. I wanted to spend time with him after what I’d been through, but it seemed that I would have to wait until St. Thomas.
    “I’ll be right back. Want to watch something?” he said on his way to the bathroom. He left his phone behind, and I did something I’d never done before. I reached for it, put in his four number password, and searched his messages. There were some of his friends’ texts- Jon, Marco, Gordon. Then I saw Natalie’s name. I touched it and there were a string of texts, all work-related. I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding in and put the phone back as it was.
    “Let’s catch up on The Walking Dead,” I called out. Nothing like a little gore to distract you from life’s problems. At least I wasn’t being chased by zombies and forced to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.

Chapter Two
    I woke up to a beautiful Saturday morning. I cried, remembering how happy I had been yesterday morning. Then I reminded myself— Greg wants to have a baby and not wait the full five years. This one wasn’t meant to be. Now we can plan for the next one, and everything will turn out as it should be. I didn’t know how much I wanted a baby until I lost one.
    The thought sent me crying all over again, but I decided to ignore the tears. They’d come, but I wouldn’t try to stop them that day. The cramps were gone, I felt physically great, and I had the urge to exercise, something I hadn’t done since returning to work. I would start slow by power walking around the neighborhood.
    I changed into my workout clothes and took a brisk walk around the lake behind the house. Several moms were out with their kids and their strollers, pushing them as they tried to do some semblance of a jog. I tried to ignore them. When I reached the back of Harvey and Natalie’s house, I paused. The lawn mower roared in the back. I hesitated, reaching the gate, going back to the path by the lake, and then turning back again to the gate. At that moment the lawnmower stopped, and I knocked. Harvey opened.
    “Hi,” I