"Are you sure you have everything?" Korra asks for the sixth time today.
"Ask me that one more time." I look her dead in the eyes and she flashes a bright smile before turning on the ignition.
"Just checking."
We exit the parking lot of my apartment building and the morning sun beats down on us in Korra's convertible. As we pick up speed, the wind grows stronger, pulling my short hair out of its strategic ponytail. My palms start to grow sweaty. I haven't been this nervous in a very long time.
Last night, I dreamt of Asher again. He took me to the class, brought me back; we went out for ice cream and just as we entered the apartment, he disappeared. I woke up with my pillow drenched in sweat and tears. Thankfully, Korra didn't sleep in my room yesterday. I already don't feel very good about this class but it's not like I can avoid it.
We drive silently for a few minutes as I fumble with the radio, not knowing what station to pick. I give up and finally settle on the news. A plane flies overhead and my eyes follow it until it's out of sight; I turn down the radio and sink in my seat. A nervous laugh escapes me as I adjust myself in my seat. I don't notice the tears streaming down my face until Korra reaches into the tissue box on the dashboard and hands me a fistful of tissues.
I mumble a 'thank you' as she pulls into the parking lot. We quickly find a parking spot and Korra carries my bag as we enter the hospital building.
"You can just sit here, I'll go ask the nurse at the desk where the class is." I settle on the uncomfortable chairs in the waiting area and Korra places my bag down before heading for the front desk.
Moments pass and I'm already starting to fall asleep on the chair when Korra briskly walks over to me, pulls me up by my arm and throws my bag over her shoulder with her free hand.
"Ok so I guess I got the time wrong because the nurse says we're half an hour late but don't worry, I don't think they started on time either." She says as we walk quickly down the long hallway.
We finally reach the end of the hallway and there's a door, slightly ajar.
"This is it." Korra says amidst her pants. We enter the class and everyone is seated on the waxed wooden floor. Seconds of awkward silence pass before the instructor calls us in.
"Please come in. There's no need to be shy." She stands up and guides Korra and me to spaces on the floor to sit.
"We just rounded up the introductions but I guess we can spare you a minute or two. Tell us about yourself." She gives me a bright smile that exposes wrinkles that say she's been doing this for quite a while.
"Morning everyone, sorry for being late. My name is Riona Daulton-Prescott. And this is my twin sister, Korra Prescott. I am a currently unemployed but my sister is a chef. And in case you didn't notice, I'm the pregnant one." I get a few laughs while Korra smacks her forehead.
"That's wonderful. I'm Matron Harlow but you can call me Mary. Now let's get right into it." The class officially begins but I can hear is Korra's annoying shuffling as she tries to find a comfortable way to fold her legs like everyone else.
Mary starts from the basic stuff since it's the first class; she explains the cramps, dilation and all the pre-natal stuff. We finally end it by watching a birthing video. The same video that made me puke so many times in high school. With about ten minutes left till we can leave, Mary hands out snacks – oatmeal cookies and orange juice – and gives us time to get to know each other. As expected, Korra and I stay seated on the ground as the other women and their partners start to mingle.
"3 o'clock, brown hair, red blouse." I nod as I spot the person she's referring to, "I can tell that that definitely isn't her husband. She has two rings marks on her left hand while he has none and he's been giving the redhead at your 10 o'clock googly eyes since we got here." I laugh as I down the last drops of my orange juice.
"How do you know these things Korra?"
"What things?" Korra and I jump, startled.
We turn around to find a group of three women standing behind us with wide smiles on their faces. The combination is very cliché – a blonde, a brunette and a redhead. They sit on the ground with us.
"Wow you're very pregnant." Korra exclaims with her eyes glued on the redhead's belly. I smack her arm for her bluntness. The lady just laughs.
"It's fine, I get that a lot. I'm having quads." The smile still doesn't leave her face.
"Four! You're having four babies?" Korra's voice grows, earning us a few head turns. "My sister is only having one and she's always whining. I can't imagine her having four."
Thanks for the morale boost, sis.
"Where are our manners?" Says the blonde, "I'm Sarah, this is Michelle", she points to the brunette, "and this is Joey", the redhead raises her hand.
"We actually came over here to talk to you about something." The mood suddenly dampens and I have a feeling I'm not going to like where this conversation is going. I nod to show I'm still listening.
"So we were wondering if you'd like to attend the widows' group sessions. And in case you're wondering, yes, we had a look at your file. I started the group and I'm in charge of knowing everyone that's meant to join us. I hope you don't mind?"
I don't know if it's because she looked through my file without my permission first or because she's the first person to call me a widow but I am pissed, very. I stare at her without any words, turning my head from side to side. The atmosphere tenses even more and Joey clears her throat. After a few minutes of silence, Korra nudges me to speak.
Without a second thought, I pick up my bag and stand up, dusting off the invisible dirt. I pull on my shoes and pause at the door.
"I'm not here to make friends or join clubs. So you can keep your pity party to yourself." I turn around and head for the exit, not sparing anyone a glance. I reach the car before remembering that Korra has the keys.
"What the heck was that?" Thank goodness I don't have to go back in there. She storms towards me with her hands in the air.
"What was that all about? They were just trying to be nice. You didn't have to call it a pity party."
"Well that's their problem. I don't want to join their club." I fold my arms and pout, resembling a four year old throwing a tantrum.
"Ree, listen to me. You need friends and knowing you, this is probably the only opportunity you'll ever have."
"I already have enough friends."
"Me, Trevor and dad don't count. Now who else is on that friend list?"
"I have friends okay!" I raise my voice and snatch the keys from her to unlock the car.
"Where? Where are these so-called friends of yours?" Emphasis on the 'friends'.
"Berlin!" She goes silent for a few minutes with a puzzled look on her face. I slide into the passenger seat and turn away from her.
"Berlin. Berlin? Are you kidding me right now? I thought I told you to forget those crazy people. What good are they ever going to bring? They're probably dead too!" She slams the door as she gets into her seat.
I slowly turn towards her with a threatening look on my face, "Don't you ever, ever say that again."
We have a stare-down and she caves in a matter of seconds. She runs her hands through her hair, worsening the mess it is before starting the car.
The ride is silent and the air in the car is tense. Korra lets out a sigh every five minutes and looks at me with the corner of her eyes, expecting me to say something. But honestly, I don't know what to say to her.
The more I think about it, the worse I feel about what I said. I don't even know why I reacted that way. Why was I angry? It's not like what she said isn't true.
I am a widow. And it's time to come to terms with it.
The car comes to a stop and I look outside. This isn't my apartment building. Office buildings ranging in size line the side of the road. I look out of Korra's window and see a familiar glass building.
"You didn't forget we were supposed to come here after Lamaze did you?" She takes off her seatbelt and reaches over to unbuckle mine. We stay seated, no words said, just silence.
Korra sighs before turning in her seat to face me.
"I'm sorry for what I said. I was mad, I shouldn't have called them crazy and I shouldn't have said they'd be dead."
I glance at her before turning away.
"Now you're making me want to apologize." She reaches out to grab my hand and I sigh.
"Fine. I'm sorry for what I said to those awfully pregnant ladies. I don't even know why I was mad. I feel bad but I didn't appreciate her being all in my face like that."
Korra laughs and exits the car, walks to my side and helps me out.
"Well, I don't think they'll ever do it again anyways." She holds on to my arm and pulls me towards the building.
"Do we really have to go? I don't want to." I stop just as we reach the rotating doors.
"We're already here aren't we?" She pulls me inside and the cold air from the air conditioners in the crowded lobby makes me reconsider. We look around for a familiar face but we don't find any.
The lady behind the front desk makes her way to us with a smile on her face. "Can I help you ladies with anything?"
"Yes please. My name is Korra Prescott and this is my sister Riona. We got a message…" The lady interrupts Korra and turns to me. Behind her the elevator doors open and 'men in black' carrying boxes file out and exit the building.
"Oh yes. You must be Mrs. Daulton. Thank you for coming but I'm afraid we have to reschedule." She looks around before turning to us and lowering her voice.
"I shouldn't be saying this but we're under investigation so the CEO has his hands full and won't be able to meet with you. If you'll excuse me, I have quite a few things to do." She quickly walks away. More people come out of the elevators and the men with the boxes re-enter the building with empty boxes. The lobby quickly becomes chaotic.
People hurriedly move around with papers and files in their hands, constantly bumping into Korra and I. A man with thick rimmed glasses bumps into me and I feel a slight pinch on my left side; must've been his briefcase. He turns his head slightly to look at me before walking out of the building, stuffing his free hand into his pocket. Rude much?
"What the heck is going on? And why would the CEO want to see me? I thought we'd just meet Asher's supervisor or the head of his department or something." I look on at the chaos still confused.
"We're being investigated and guess who caused it?" People seem to get a crack out of scaring me today. Korra and I turn around startled by the voice.
I'd rather see those 3 pregnant ladies again than the face I'm currently staring at.
"Hi Rona, remember me?" I grind my teeth and Korra holds on to me tighter.
"It's Riona to you." She lets out a cackle and looks down at my belly.
"You're still pregnant? That's amusing." She twirls her hair on her finger and gives Korra a onceover.
"You want to know why you're meeting the CEO and not me, don't you? Well as you can see, we're being investigated. But it's a private investigation so there's no press. The circumstances surrounding Asher's unfortunate accident seemed to have triggered a few things. Sad, isn't it?" Korra pulls me back and steps in front of me just in time. I take deep breaths to calm myself.
"Thanks for the info, we'll be back next week then." She bumps shoulders with her and pulls me along.
Just when I thought the day couldn't get any worse, I meet her here.
"I shocked that she still works here. I thought she would've gotten fired a long time ago." I silently enter the car and put on my seatbelt. Korra follows suit and starts the drive back home.
"Are you okay?" She finally asks after a few side glances.
"I'm great." I say through gritted teeth. "Seeing Jennifer again definitely doesn't piss me off."