Chapter 11 - I WENT INTO LABOR EARLY—BUT NOT BECAUSE OF THE SCANDAL, AT LEAST NOT PROVABLYAt thirty-four weeks and five days, my water broke.
People later wanted to connect it dramatically.
Stress caused premature labor.
Maybe.
Maybe not.
My doctors refused certainty.
So did I.
Pregnancy does not become a narrative device just because adults behave badly.
My daughter was born early.
Nora Elizabeth Whitmore.
Four pounds, eleven ounces.
She spent twelve days in the NICU.
Breathing on her own.
Feeding took time.
Preston came to the hospital.
We were separated.
He was still Nora’s father.
I allowed visits consistent with hospital policy.
Not because the marriage was healing.
Because divorce does not erase parenthood.
He stood beside the incubator.
Cried.
Then said:
“I took money we saved for her.”
“Yes.”
“I thought I’d replace it.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
I looked at him.
“Then replace what you can through the divorce accounting.”
He nodded.
May you like
Practical.
Apologies do not replenish accounts.
