“Mine too.”
At the time, I thought we meant the same thing.
Later, I would realize we didn’t.
Afterward, people slowly drifted out.
Someone brought a grocery-store cake.
My parents hugged me.
The nurses took pictures.
Ethan eventually fell asleep with his hand wrapped around mine.
I sat beside him watching his chest rise and fall.
Trying to memorize every detail.
The shape of his fingers.
The curve of his mouth.
The little line between his eyebrows.
I thought I was preparing myself to lose my husband.
I had no idea I had just married a stranger.
THE NURSE STOPPED ME IN THE HALL
Eventually, I went looking for coffee.
A young nurse caught my elbow outside Room 407.
“Claire.”
I turned.
She looked nervous.
“Don’t tell Ethan I said anything.”
My stomach tightened.
“Said what?”
She glanced toward his room.
Then lowered her voice.
“Before you leave tonight…”
She swallowed.
“Look under his mattress.”
I stared at her.
“What?”
“Under the mattress.”
“Why?”
Her eyes flicked toward the nurses’ station.
Then back to me.
“He’s lying to you.”
My whole body went cold.
“About what?”
“Him and the doctor.”
“What about them?”
