Chapter 14

The wireless phone rang interrupting their conversation.

John answered, almost knocking down his coffee in the process, he listened for a short while, and then passed it to Molly. “It’s your niece.”

Molly grabbed the receiver.

“Good morning, Auntie. The doctor’s office just called to inform you your results are back. You have an appointment in one hour,” Laura informed Molly.

“Oh shit! One hour?” Molly took a look at her watch.

“There was a cancellation and I took it in your name. Is that alright?”

“You did well, Laura. I’ll be right over. Thanks, Sweetie.”

“Everything okay, Molly?” John asked.

“I’m fine. It’s just a checkup. There’s nothing to worry about,” Molly explained to John.

Then she returned her attention to the phone. “All right, Laura. I’ll meet you at the doctor’s office in one hour. Later”

“Later,” Laura echoed.

Molly ended the conversation and John asked her.

“So, are you going to the doctor?”

“Yes, the Ladies doctor. I ... I’ll get groceries on the way back. What would you like?”

“Surprise me.”

One hour later, Molly left the doctor’s office with a prescription and the truth. Life as she knew it was over. She was shaking all over.

“Thanks for being here with me, Laura.”

“I’m glad I came, Auntie. I’m worried about you.”

Molly didn’t want to talk right now, she just wanted to cry. She climbed into the driver’s seat, but made no move to start the car.

How was she going to tell John? How would he react to the news? Would he find her less attractive? Sadness took over her and a tear rolled down her cheek. She tried to be strong, but emotion took over her. It was heart-wrenching to think she would never have children of her own.

Laura turned toward her. “Auntie, explain to me what’s so terrible about menopause. I really want to know.”

“Besides feeling crazy half the time?”

“The meds should take care of that. You’ll feel good as new in no time at all.”

“But I won’t be as good as new.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m defective and old.”

“Old? You’re in your mid-forties,” Laura shook her head. “And defective? Where do you get this stuff? Menopause is a natural occurrence.”

“John isn’t going to think so.”

“What does this have to do with John?”

“When cows can’t have calves, what does he do with them?”

Laura rolled her eyes. “You’re not a cow. You are a very beautiful and lovable person.”

Molly shook her head. “I wouldn’t be surprised if John goes out and finds a younger model the minute he hears the news.”

“You’re being irrational. John loves you.”

“He told you this?”

Laura’s brow creased. “Well, not in so many words.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“But I can tell he staked his claim on you for the way he acted at the party.”

“Well, we made love,” Molly muttered with dreamy eyes.

Laura clapped her hands over her ears. “Too much information, Auntie.”

Molly reached over and pulled Laura’s palms away from her head. For an instant, she felt like a mommy, and the longing made her dizzy.

“You wanted to talk about this. Well, let’s talk about how it feels to have one of the most important things in your life taken away and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Laura gave her a wary look. “What’s been taken away?”

“I’ll never have kids of my own. I’ll never be a mother.”

Silence fell between them. Molly laid her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.

“You believe that the only thing you have to offer is being someone’s mother? You’re really pissing me off, Auntie.”

Molly’s eyes snapped open. She glared at Laura, but her niece had always been beyond any evil eye

Laura muttered, “What’s really troubling you, Auntie?”

Molly flinched. “I’m wondering what happened. The proverbial, ‘where did the time go’? Yesterday, I was a young woman traveling around the world. Now, I’m an old bag.”

“Well, an old bag who will have her hands full of babies. You have Lily, Red Junior, and Maggie. Maybe we could set up a daycare nursery. You’ll have more babies than you can handle!” Laura laughed and Molly smiled at her.

Laura held out a hand. Molly took it, and squeezed it tight. She almost forgot her life was over because something wonderful had just begun.

“I think we better get that prescription filled on the way back so I can start taking my pills tonight,” Molly said.