I had just given birth when my husband looked me in the eye and said, “Take the bus home. I’m taking my family to hotpot.” Two hours later, his voice was shaking on the phone: “Claire… what did you do? Everything is gone.”
I had just given birth when my husband looked me in the eye and said, “Take the bus home. I’m taking my family to hotpot.” Two hours later, his voice was shaking on the phone: “Claire… what did you do? Everything is gone.” The nurse placed my son in my arms, and the first thing my husband did was check his phone. Then Daniel looked me in the eye and said, “Take the bus home. I’m taking my family to hotpot.” For a moment, the hospital room went silent except for my baby’s tiny, wet breaths against my chest. I thought I had misheard him. “What?” My voice came out raw. Daniel’s mother, Elaine, adjusted her pearl bracelet and sighed like I was embarrassing everyone. “Claire, don’t start drama. You’re discharged tomorrow morning. The bus stop is right outside.” “I just gave birth six hours ago.” Daniel shrugged. “My parents flew in. We made reservations. You don’t expect us to cancel because you’re tired, do you?” His sister Melissa laughed. “Women have babies every day.” I stared at t...
