Cheryl arrived wearing a fitted sundress and carrying an envelope she held in the air before she even sat down. She waited until everyone had burgers on their plates and a second beer in their hands, then cleared her throat dramatically and announced that she had “the most exciting surprise ever.”
She pulled out an ultrasound photo like a celebrity revealing a ring.
Suzanne burst into tears so instantly Wendy almost laughed from shock. Philip stood and kissed Cheryl’s head. An aunt shrieked. A cousin clapped. Someone said, “Two babies in the family at once!” and Wendy tried to smile while watching the temperature of the gathering change around her.
Not because Cheryl was pregnant. Wendy would have been happy for her in another life, maybe even in this one if the room had not made the hierarchy so obvious.
When Wendy had announced her pregnancy, Suzanne had said, “Oh my God, sweetheart, what a surprise.”
When Cheryl did, Suzanne said, “This is a miracle.”
Wendy heard the difference like a crack in glass.