Chapter 52

Carmela waved a dismissive hand.

 "Well, that's wonderful," she said, her voice flat and uninterested. "I'm sure it'll be a beautiful baby. But I must say, I don't see what this has to do with me."

Carmela turned back to a mirror, fussing with her hair. 

"You know, if you're planning on keeping it, you'll need to make some major changes in your life," she said, her tone dismissive. "No more late nights out, or partying.

Nichole sat down on the edge of the hospital reception chair, facing Carmela. 

"Carmela, now that your here, enough about me. You came all this way, all the way to the hospital. What's going on? Are you... are you okay?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice.

Carmela hesitated for a moment, her face unreadable. 

"I'm fine," she said, her voice clipped. "I'm here because I wanted to see how I was doing. But now I think it's time for me to go." She stood up, grabbing her purse and starting for the door.