He was one of the safest people in my life.
Vanessa had become family too.
She and Ethan had spent six years trying to have a child.
Treatments.
Procedures.
Hope.
Disappointment.
Another procedure.
Another disappointment.
There had been one pregnancy.
It ended early.
Vanessa never discussed it much afterward.
But for months, whenever she passed the baby aisle in a store, her face changed.
So when they came to my apartment the previous spring, I knew something serious was coming.
Ethan sat at the kitchen table.
Vanessa beside him.
Noah was in his room building something out of cardboard.
Ethan began:
“Claire, you can say no.”
I laughed.
“That is not an encouraging beginning.”
Vanessa looked terrified.
Then Ethan explained.
They had embryos remaining from treatment.
