28
JESSICA HAD NO idea how long she had been sitting like that when Ikay rushed into the kitchen, speaking in rapid Pengali, grabbing the towels, folding them out. Her eyes widened. No clots of blood, no strands of mucus, no vomit.
Jessica stared up, mouth trembling. “I can’t do it, Ikay, I can’t.” The enormity of her decision fell over her like a wave. Tears came anew.
Ikay knelt beside her, cradling her and muttering, “I help.” She ran her hand over Jessica’s stomach in calming, soothing movements. For at least five minutes, neither of them spoke, united by their bond and the life of a tiny baby. Then Ikay rose and gestured at the door. “Go. Visitor.”
In the dingy corridor, Jessica undid the knots that still tied her dress around her buttocks. She smoothed the material, hand lingerin
