My classmates startled. Hubert rushed to my side.
"Howard, what's wrong?"
Flora caught my arm with one hand. "Howard?"
She didn't even notice it herself—she was panicking.
I took the napkin Hubert offered and wiped the sweat from my face.
"It's nothing. Just some diet pills I've been taking."
It was the only excuse I could come up with.
The others relaxed and drifted back to their seats. Only Flora kept hold of my arm. "Howard, we're going to the hospital."
She stood and settled the bill with her gold card, bringing the reunion to an abrupt end.
Someone teased as we headed out, "Flora still dotes on Howard, huh? After all these years, nothing's changed."
"Obviously. You know how long she's been crazy about him. Back in school, she swore she'd marry Howard or no one."
Everyone gathered outside the restaurant, about to wave goodbye, when a blue Porsche pulled up.
As the others watched in surprise, Basil took Flora's handbag from her.
"Flora, I'm here to take you home."
The air froze. Someone asked, "Flora, who's this?"
All eyes turned to me—like they were watching a clown.
Flora's grip on my hand loosened.
"Flora, it's time for the baby's prenatal session. The little one gets anxious without hearing Daddy's voice."
Basil stepped forward and pulled Flora toward him.
Hubert frowned. "Howard, who is this guy?"
"Flora, what's going on here..."
Before Flora could answer, someone smoothed things over with an awkward laugh.
"These things happen, right? Let's all head out."
The group dispersed on cue. After all, no one dared comment on the private lives of important people.
I waved goodbye to Hubert and was about to leave when Flora called out.
"Howard, we're going to the hospital."
She pulled me into the car without giving me a choice.
Basil spoke first. "Howard, can you tell if Flora's carrying a boy or a girl?"
"No."
"Boy or girl, doesn't matter. My mother-in-law said she'll love either one." Basil grinned.
So Flora's parents had already accepted Basil.
A hollow ache spread through my chest. Her parents had watched us grow up together. They'd treated me like their own son.
Their betrayal left me feeling like I had no home to return to.
The car stopped at the hospital entrance. I had just opened the door when Flora followed me out.
If Basil hadn't been trailing behind us, I might have believed she was the Flora from before.
She pushed me toward the Emergency Department. I waited in line for an hour, gritting my teeth against the pain. Just as it was finally my turn, Basil suddenly clutched his chest.
"Flora, my chest hurts."
The ER doctor rushed us over to Internal Medicine.
But the first words out of the doctor's mouth were directed at me.
"Mr. Gilbert, why are you in Internal Medicine? If the Fertility Clinic won't perform the reversal, there's nothing we can do for you here either."
Flora stared at me, stunned. "Reversal? What happened to you?"
When I didn't answer, she marched up to the doctor.
"I'm his wife. Tell me what's wrong with him."
The doctor's expression turned strange, but he spoke anyway. "Mr. Gilbert had a vasectomy three years ago. Recently he wanted it reversed, but the doctors refused to operate. He caused quite a commotion over it."
Flora pressed further. "Can a vasectomy affect appetite? Cause vomiting?"
"Only minor effects. Nowhere near enough to cause vomiting." The nurse glanced at me. "Mr. Gilbert, your issue isn't something Internal Medicine can address. You should consult a men's specialty clinic."
I stood frozen. The pain of having my wound ripped open made it impossible to breathe.
After learning my condition couldn't be reversed, I'd come to this hospital countless times. I couldn't accept that I would never father a child.
Flora's brow furrowed. "Howard, why didn't you tell me something this important?"
"Were you afraid I'd leave you?"
I looked at her with a smile. "Haven't you already done exactly that?"
Flora froze. Then disgust crept into her voice.
"Howard, you had cancer years ago. Do you really have to fake being sick just to get my attention? Dragging everyone to the hospital in the middle of the night—did you forget I'm pregnant?"
Basil waved her off. "Babe, don't blame Howard. This is all my fault."
He ducked his head. "If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have to go to such lengths. But now that we're having a baby..."
Basil suddenly clutched his chest. "I think I drove here too fast. My chest won't stop hurting."
"Move!" Flora shoved past me to get to the doctor.
My back slammed into the guardrail. The taste of iron flooded my mouth instantly.
In that moment, I realized—I was going to die soon.
