Chapter 6 - Natalie’s Son Was Born Early
Three weeks before her due date, Natalie went into labor.
I learned because Ethan called.
I did not answer.
Then Lucia Rivera called.
That I did.
“Claire, I’m sorry to bother you. Natalie asked for you.”
I stared.
“Why?”
“She’s scared.”
“She has family.”
“Yes.”
Pause.
“She says you’re the only person who understands the whole story.”
That was true in a strange way.
I drove to San Antonio.
Not because I owed Natalie.
Because I chose.
At the hospital, Ethan stood in hallway wearing scrubs.
He looked shocked to see me.
“Claire.”
“Lucia called.”
He nodded.
We did not hug.
Natalie’s blood pressure had spiked.
Doctors planned emergency delivery.
The baby was born healthy enough for observation.
A boy.
Lucas Rivera Mercer.
Natalie insisted on Rivera as middle name.
When she woke, I stood at doorway.
She smiled weakly.
“You came.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
She laughed.
Then cried.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For existing in your story like the villain.”
“You didn’t write the role.”
“I stayed after I knew.”
“For how long?”
“Three days.”
Fair.
“I’m not your judge.”
She whispered, “Ethan wants us to try again.”
I looked toward hallway.
“Do you?”
“No.”
That surprised me.
“I love him.”
“Those are not same question.”
She nodded.
“He needs to become someone different without a woman managing it.”
I smiled.
“You’ve been talking to a therapist.”
“Annoying, right?”
“Extremely.”
Ethan became an active father.
No reconciliation.
Natalie moved permanently to San Antonio.
He relocated nearby after probation terms allowed.
Their co-parenting remained messy but functional.
I visited once more when Lucas turned one.
Then less.
Life naturally separated us.
No dramatic friendship.
May you like
No hatred.
That was enough.
