Page 143 of Clinically Bewitched
Three babies. Three cribs. Three car seats. Three college funds.
“Julien?” Athena’s voice sounded very far away. “Are you okay?”
“I’m...”
Three babies crying at once. Three diapers to change. Three feeding schedules.
“He’s going to faint again,” the technician said.
“I’m not going to faint,” I huffed.
“You’re very pale.”
“I’m fine.” I groaned, feeling sick to my stomach.
“Your hand is shaking.”
I looked down. She was right. My hand was shaking.
Both hands were shaking.
My entire body was shaking.
Stars? Am I seeing stars?
“Julien,” Athena said, squeezing my hand. “This is wonderful!”
“Wonderful,” I repeated numbly.
“The universe is blessing us!”
The universe, I thought with perfect clarity,is not blessing us.
The universe is LAUGHING at us.
The universe has declared WAR.
“I need...” I stood up. Sat back down. Stood up again. “I need to make a phone call.”
“Now?” Athena asked.
“Now.”
“But the ultrasound.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I walked out of the room on legs that didn’t feel entirely stable and found an empty hallway. I pulled out my phone and called Nathan. He answered on the second ring. “Julien? Aren’t you at your ultrasound?”
“I need help,” I whispered, too afraid to say it louder because it might make it real.
“What’s wrong? Is Athena okay?”
“She’s fine. The babies are fine.”
“Babies?” Nathan repeated. “Plural?”
“Three.”
