13
After the abortion, Aurelle lay in the coolness of Diana’s living room. There was cramping, but it was bearable. She’d taken some Advil. Diana was reading aloud to her from The Outsiders, a book Aurelle loved and was delighted to see on Diana’s shelf, too.
‘How are you feeling?’ Diana asked, putting the book aside and looking at Aurelle, who was pale, her hair sweaty and pushed off of her forehead.
‘Relieved,’ she said.
‘Good.’ Diana got up to clear some plates from their lunch. Aurelle reached out and touched her wrist.
‘Diana?’ she said, her voice catching.
‘Yes?’
‘Thanks.’
Diana put the plates back on the table and sat on the edge of the couch. She smiled lightly, as was her way, Aurelle was learning, and said, ‘It’s no big deal.’
‘It is. I will never forget it.’
Dian
