“What do you mean?” Lucy asked, cocking her head to one side.
“I’ve heard that some women crave things like glass, paint, and dirt,” Vera said.
“I’m pretty sure that my cravings won’t be anything strange like that.” Lucy laughed. “But if they are, you can tie me down to the chair and force feed me dill pickles dipped in strawberry ice cream.”
Michelle and Vera laughed.
Lucy yawned and rubbed her eyes. “It’s been a long day, already. Would you mind if I laid down for a while?”
“Of course not,” Michelle said. “Do you remember where your room is?”
Lucy laughed. “This place is like a labyrinth. If you could show me once more, I would appreciate it. Vera, it was very good to meet you. I suspect that we’ll have a lot of fun together.”
“Absolutely, Kiddo.”
Michelle showed her how to get from the kitchen to the staircase. “Take a left at the top of the stairs. Your room is the third door on the right.”
“Thanks,” Lucy said, giving the woman an impromptu hug.
Michelle hugged her back.
Lucy looked around her suite and then sank onto the bed with a heavy sigh. She called her mom.
“I think that I must be asleep,” Lucy said. “This place is some kind of fairyland.”
Lucy described everything in detail, including the gazebo.
“It does sound like a palace from a childhood fairytale,” Sophia said. “But how are you doing?”
“I’m okay. I had the first treatments today. I go into the clinic every day,” Lucy said.
“What about the conception method?” Sophia asked.
“Well, I’m not going to lie. I’m a little nervous. I think it will be okay, though. Who knows, I might even like it and decide to make my career as a high-end call girl.”
Her mother sucked in a huge breath and said, “Lucy Sawyers. I can’t believe you.”
Lucy laughed. “I’m just kidding, Mom, although they do make a lot of money.”
“Don’t even joke about things like that. You’ll give me a heart attack.”
“Poor Mom. I know all of this has been hard on you.”
“I do miss you and worry about you. I’m still not sure about this decision, but you know that your father and I will support you and have your back no matter what.”
“Thank you, Mom. I love and miss you.”
Lucy stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, wondering again if she’d made the right decision. It’s too late to change my mind now.
She was shocked when a knock on the door woke her up. Lucy didn’t know that she had fallen into a dreamless sleep.
“Honey, it’ll be time for dinner in ten minutes,” Michelle announced.
“I only brought a few outfits with me. What am I supposed to wear to dinner?” Lucy asked, hoping it wasn’t anything formal.
Michelle was silent for a second before she answered. “Clothes.”
“I kind of figured, but casual, formal, or something in between?”