Page 98 of Dublin's Danger Dancer

The doctor swallows and removes his glasses. “It’s around 20%,” he says, casting his eyes down his papers.

“There’s gotta be something else we can do ,” says Liam standing, unable to contain his fidgety itchiness.

“We haven’t spoken about this yet but there is a treatment that is being delivered only out of a lab in San Francisco. It consists of using the two drugs in a synthesised form. But we can only try this after the pregnancy.”

“We’ll try it.” answers Liam.

The doctor laughs. “I think that’s a decision for your wife to make.”

“We’re not married.” I say pawing the bump.

“Oh, my apologies,” says the doctor. “Let’s see what happens with this drug. And if we need to, we have San Francisco as an option.”

A knock comes at the door.

“I’m ready for you, Mrs Ahern,” she says smiling sweetly, dimples in her lower cheeks showing.

I squeeze Liam’s hand. “It’s okay.”

It’s not feckin OK “ he says. “I’m sorry, baby, I just really need to get some air. I’ll be back in a minute. Take good care of her, Mary.” With that, he turns on his heel and he’s gone in a blur of cologne.

“Right this way,” Mary says.

“Good luck.” The doctor says. “And I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Whilst Mary is getting me set up with the new drugs she asks, “Are all Irish men good-looking?”

I grin. “Not all of them.”

“I’d love to go to Ireland and meet an Irish guy. The accent, how tall and strong they are. It’s all…oh my God,” Mary gushes. “I’m sorry,” she says

“It’s okay,” I laugh. “I guess I forget how lucky I am.”

“Do you know if it’s a boy or girl yet? The baby?”

“Yes, we had an early test. We are having a little girl.”

“Do you have any names picked out?”

“We’re going to name her after my sister Harriet, Harry for short.”

“That’s so beautiful,” she says. “I love unisex names. They are so fresh.”

A knock comes at the door and Liam’s head peeks around.

“I’ll give you two some privacy,” says Mary, the IV now pumping the drugs into my veins.

“It will be done in ten minutes. I’ll come back then.”

“How are you feeling?” says Liam, walking towards me.

He shrugs off his suit jackets and pulls a stool up to the chair when my legs are raised

“I’ve had so many IV’s that I barely feel it anymore,” I say.

“There is something I’ve got to say. I’ve been wanting to say and I’m driving myselffeckin crazy not saying it, so I’m just going to do it.”

My heart jumps into my mouth. This is all too much for him. Seeing all these carefree bikini glad tanned women. How could he not think about leaving me? The drugs made me so tired I could hardly manage intimacy, let alone sex. And I’d tried this morning, and he’d refused.

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