I tried not to cry, but it was useless.
“Is he healthy, Doc?” Max asked while I wiped at the tears and blew my nose.
“Perfectly. Well done, Angel. Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.”
“Thanks, Doc. I will.”
She pressed a button and a photo popped out of the printer.
“There you go. The second pic for the baby album. Handsome little guy.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
“I’d like to see you again in three weeks’ time for a routine checkup.”
“I’ll be here,” I smiled.
“See you in three weeks,” she said and left the examination room.
“Thanks. Bye, Doc.”
Max helped me down so I could get dressed.
“Oh, wow. I can’t believe it’s a boy. Now he’s real, Max.”
“It's surreal, Babe. What are we going to name him?”
“I have a few ideas. Why don’t you make a list of your favorites, and we’ll compare.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
“I’m starving! Do you have time to grab a snack?”
“Sure. I’ll call the office quickly to see if there’s anything urgent.”
“Okay, my love.”
Max dialed the number and spoke to his PA.
“No fires. Let’s eat,” he said afterward.
“Great.”
* * *
My car was at the mechanic for a service, so Max and I had driven to work together. It was 5:30 pm and I was more than ready to go home, put my feet up, and page through a few baby mags.
Max was in a meeting in the boardroom, and I was done for the day, so I waited in his office for him. I had an email to send, and I hated typing on my cell phone, so I switched on his desktop pc and opened his internet browser.
A name jumped off the page and hit me between the eyes. Grigoriy. It wasn’t logical, but the name stirred unrest inside of me. I remembered the look on Max’s face the first time I’d heard it. Did I look or did I act like a mature adult and mind my own business?
Max is your business. Screw it.
I had to know. I clicked on the mail and looked at the closed office door, like a naughty child up to no good, while the mail opened.
It turned out to be an email forwarded from Vlad to Max. I scanned over the contents.
It felt like my soul was separating from my body. It was an odd sensation–I suspect it was the shock from what I was reading. I looked up, took in a deep breath, and read the email again.