“Probably not,” Dr. Owens said. “Most of us go up at least half a size and don’t come back down. Listen. With the holidays coming up, you’ll need to be extra careful about what you eat. Be very sparing on sugar, absolutely no alcohol. You don’t want to get gestational diabetes—”
“What’s that?” It sounded familiar.
“It’s when your blood sugar is too high during pregnancy. It often results in very big babies, which can complicate labor and delivery, and the health of both of you. High blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, serious breathing troubles for baby . . . all sorts of things you don’t want.”
Melissa swallowed. Her little plum could come out looking like a fat piglet. Could be sick, too. “I understand,” she said, feeling chastened. “Um, is there a way I can lose this weight now? Liposuction, maybe?”
“God, no!” Dr. Owens snapped, then corrected herself. “Listen. Your body is no longer your own, and I understand it’s an adjustment. But if you want a healthy baby, there are basic things you need to take care of. Mostly, you need to eat healthfully, exercise moderately and regularly, and get a good night’s sleep. I’ll have Carol print you out some literature, okay? And if you go online, please go to reputable sources. Hospitals, doctors, certified nurse-midwives, okay? Don’t listen to celebrities who think they have all the answers.”
How bossy. And celebrities did have answers, many of them. Was not Gwyneth Paltrow a nutrition guru? Kim Kardashian had been pregnant a bunch of times, and she’d lost a ton of baby weight. Melissa took a breath and reminded herself of who she was. Melissa Spencer Fairchild, a wealthy and admired woman. “Of course. Thank you, Wanda. Can I call you Wanda?”
“I prefer Dr. Owens,” she said. “Anything else for today?” Her face was impassive.
“No. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice.”
“We’re always here for you. Have a good day.”
Dr. Owens walked out of the exam room without even saying goodbye. Not super friendly or kind. Melissa almost preferred Lillie. Lillie, who was not statuesque, like Dr. Owens. Lillie, who obviously loved food. Who had been pregnant herself, even if it was only once. Did Dr. Owens even have kids? Melissa didn’t know. Probably not, if she was so heartless.
Maybe Melissa would change practices, just to get a little more respect than she got from Dr. Owens. Someone who cared about cankles.
She should have stayed in New York or moved to LA, where all the good doctors were. The kind who’d do anything you asked.
But she was stuck here instead.
CHAPTER 23
Lillie
On December 19, I leaped out of the car in the pickup zone at Logan and hugged my child. “Oh, honey! It’s so good to see you!” He tolerated a few kisses on his stubbly cheek. “Are you growing a beard?”
“Maybe,” he said. “How are you, Mom?”
“I’m very happy,” I said, hugging him again.
Oh, it was so wonderful to see him! To actually see him live and in person. He slung his giant duffel bag in the back and got in the passenger seat. I got in, too, and looked at him. My handsome boy. My eyes were wet with happiness.
“Okay, Mom, maybe you should start the car or something? I’d like to get home and see everyone. Do you want me to drive?”
Everyone would have to wait a day or two. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, that’s all.” I patted his knee. “I’ll drive. Traffic was murder on Route 3.”
“Someday, Ma, you’ll have to let me drive through Boston, you know.”
“Not if I can help it, sweetie.”
He grinned, and my heart grew three sizes, like the Grinch’s.
“So how’s everything?” I asked, finally starting the car.
“Good. Finals were okay. I think I did pretty well.”
“Attaboy. When are grades posted?”
“A few weeks. But you know, you can’t see them. Because I’m eighteen.”
“Don’t remind me. But you’ll tell me, right?”
“Probably.” He smiled at me, but there was definitely a . . . well, an independence. A bit of a wall. “Hey, I might have to join a gym over break. Coach wants daily workout and food updates.”
“Really? Well, I guess that makes sense.”
“How’s the dog?”
“Very excited to meet you,” I said, inching onto the highway. “He’s great. Very mellow and easily trained.”