I missed my period, I tell him. His wide eyes betray hope. I tell him it can’t be. But maybe it can. I am old but not ancient. We walk together to the Apotheke. He has to ask because I don’t speak the language yet. I stand behind him feeling ridiculous with my greying hair, with gravity pulling at the bottom of my chin. The pharmacist glances at me. I think I see pity when she hands us the pregnancy test. The next morning, I wake early to pee on the stick. “Not Pregnant” he reads and our daughter disappears.
Kristen Lambertin lives in Switzerland with her German husband and their multilingual dog, Bernie (aka: Mr. B). Find Kristen at kristenlambertin.com.