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SPRING SUMME R FALLING  | 41

            How was I that oblivious? Oh, right. I’d been imagining her dressed as a half-
            naked nurse.

               The attendant smiles at us hopefully. I’ve almost missed her entirely. She is
            drowning in an ocean of “Congratulations” baskets, balloons, and bouquets.

               “What’s this?” I ask sharper than I intend.
               Sanya clutches the bear to her chest. “Hear me out.”
               She guides me away from the attendant, so she can’t hear us. “There is a fifty-

            fifty chance that you are the father. If you are, you don’t want to miss getting the
            baby anything and the hospital photo.” She rubs the bear as she speaks. “If you
            aren’t, then it will only cost you sixteen bucks to show up with a bear.”
               It is sixteen dollars more than I want to spend, but she has a point. I nod
            grudgingly, and we check out, then jump on the elevator. We exit the sixth floor
            and immediately hear “ohhs” and “ahhs,” laughter, and well wishes come from
            various rooms. We read the names on the doors until we find Cassie’s. Her name is

            scribbled in bold letters “C. Frank,” and I am instantly upset. I’ve foolishly thought
            I’d worked through some of the anger, but it’s only been a week.
               The door is slightly ajar, but the white curtain surrounds the bed. Sanya knocks
            gingerly, and we hear a man and woman yell “come in” in unison. It is Dan. I clench
            and unclench my fists. I am not in the mood for his shit. Sanya motions for me to
            enter.

               I move around the curtain and push it back. I get caught in a brief stare down
            with the bitch and her brother.
               “Hi, Henri.”

               The hopefulness in her voice pisses me off. I don’t listen to Taylor Swift, but I
            can appreciate the song “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” more than I’d
            ever imagined. I award her with a noncommittal grunt. She must have forgotten
            I’d last seen her naked and moaning under another man.
               “Look what the cat dragged in…” her brother voices with disdain. I slide my
            eyes in his direction. My look should warn him to keep his mouth shut; however,
            he’s never won any awards for his intelligence. “We’re glad you could take time out
            of your busy schedule to join us.” I take an angry step in his direction, and he jumps
            off the couch like he wants to fight.
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