The medical office in Denver still echoed with the surprising news of the triplets as Dr. Ben Wilson filled out a prescription for me. Watching his handwriting, I tried to come to terms with the fact that I would soon be responsible for three little lives. Ben handed me the paper, and with a kind smile, he expressed his desire to see me frequently, considering the twin pregnancy.
“Entering the sixteenth week without monitoring... it's important to be under constant observation,” he said.
“Alright, doctor. Thank you,” I replied, leaving the office with the prescription in hand. Constance thanked the doctor.
“Thank you, Dr. Wilson,” Constance expressed her gratitude, always by my side in this unexpected journey.
“We're here to help, always,” Ben replied.
We left the hospital and encountered a light rain starting to wet the streets of Denver. Constance, beside me, looked at me with concern.
“Are you okay, Fierce?”
I nodded, grateful for her kindness. “I'm fine, Constance. Thank you for everything you've done.”
“Don't worry, Fierce. I did what any other human would do,” she said with a gentle smile.
She continued to walk by my side as we strolled through the wet streets of the unfamiliar city. Constance was a light in the darkness my life had become.
“Do you have family here in the city?” Constance asked.
I shook my head. “No. My parents passed away when I was little, and the father of the triplets chose someone else over me.”
“I'm sorry,” she murmured.
“It's okay,” I assured, trying to smile. “It will be okay.”
I continued walking in the rain, feeling the cold drops run down my face. Constance called my name, concerned about my determination to face the storm.
“Fierce.”
I turned, facing her.
“Fierce, wouldn't you like to spend the night keeping an old lady company? And when I say old lady, I'm referring to myself,” she suggested, smiling.
I was surprised by the invitation. “Are you inviting me to your house?”
She nodded. “Yes, Fierce. I would like to have your company.”
It was an unexpected invitation, and my heart warmed with her kindness. Constance was inviting me to her home. I smiled and agreed.
“Alright, Constance. Thank you.”
***
In Denver, as the rain continued to fall, Constance raised her hand to hail a taxi. In a few minutes, a yellow car stopped in front of them. Constance indicated that I should join her, and we entered the vehicle. The car took us to the outskirts of the city, where Constance lived.
Constance's house was a striking contrast to my cabin in the pack. It was spacious and well-maintained, and I admired it as Constance opened the door. The difference between the two places was evident, but Constance's kindness made me feel at home.
“Please, make yourself at home,” Constance invited, indicating the interior of the house.
I explored the rooms with curious eyes. The house was much larger than I had imagined, surpassing my modest cabin by far. Constance, noticing my expression, said she would prepare one of the rooms for me.
Still amazed by the novelty, I came across a bookshelf filled with books next to the furniture. I flipped through one of them, and to my surprise, I saw detailed illustrations of the human body. Curious, I browsed through some of them, marveling at the complexity of the human organism.
“These are my anatomy books,” explained Constance, appearing beside me. My startle made me drop the book, and I immediately apologized.
“Sorry, Constance,” I murmured, somewhat embarrassed.
“It's okay, accidents happen,” Constance smiled. “For now, go take a shower and change. I'll prepare something for you to eat.”
I climbed the stairs with Constance to the room she had prepared for me. Likewise, I was impressed with the organization and care in every detail. Constance revealed, “I picked out an outfit from my daughter that I think had the same size as yours.”
“Where is she? Does she live here with you?” I asked about Constance's daughter and where she was.
Constance hesitated for a moment before answering, “I had a daughter, but she's no longer with us.” Her expression was filled with longing, but she quickly suggested, “Now, go get ready, and we'll talk more later.”
While Constance headed to the kitchen, I prepared for a bath and to wear the outfit provided by the generous nurse.
I found the outfit chosen by Constance on the bed. It was a simple navy blue dress, but carefully chosen. As I changed, I thought about her daughter and whether she was okay.
***
I put on the navy blue dress chosen by Constance, running my hands over the soft fabrics. Descending the stairs, I found Constance busy setting the table, the inviting aroma of soup filling the house.
Constance smiled at seeing me. “Fierce, you look beautiful in Jessie's dress. I'm glad it fit.”
I thanked her and examined the dress, marveling at the fact that something so elegant had belonged to Jessie, Constance's daughter. As she sighed, I could sense the melancholy in her eyes, an expression that revealed untold stories.
“I found the dress very beautiful,” I commented, lightly touching the fabric.
“It is very beautiful indeed,” said Constance, her gaze distant. “She always liked navy blue.”
Constance indicated that it was time to sit at the table for dinner. The soup was delicious, and my stomach, more hungry than I realized, rumbled in approval. I grabbed the plate with my hands, ready to devour the meal, but Constance stopped me.
“Fierce, don't eat like that,” she chuckled gently. “You can use a spoon.”
I stared at her, not understanding why I couldn't eat that way since everyone in the pack ate like that, but Constance picked up the spoon and, patiently, showed me how to savor the soup.
“Like this, Fierce,” she explained, making a smooth motion with the spoon to my mouth. “Slowly, to taste all the flavors.”
The scene, in a way, reminded me of a mother teaching her daughter. Amidst laughter and clumsy attempts, I learned to handle the spoon, dipping it into the soup as Constance demonstrated.
“See, it's easy,” she said with a smile.
While we savored the soup, my gaze met Constance's, and the question about Jessie lingered between us. Not wanting to seem intrusive, I carefully asked about her daughter.
“Constance, can I ask about Jessie?” I said, hesitantly.
Constance nodded, her gaze momentarily lost before turning to me. “Of course, dear. What would you like to know?”
I asked directly about where Jessie was, causing a weight to settle in Constance's expression. I felt like I was touching an old wound, but curiosity and the desire to understand overcame any hesitation.
“Where is Jessie now?” I murmured.
Constance's response was laden with sadness. “Like her parents, Jessie is no longer in this world.”
Silence hung over the table as I processed this information. Jessie, is a young woman who didn't have the chance to live fully. I asked how she had passed, and Constance took a deep breath before sharing the sad story.
“Jessie was a sweet girl,” Constance began, her voice softening with memories. “She met a boy, got pregnant... This was long before I became a nurse. One day, she had a complication in the pregnancy. The baby was growing in the tubes, and no one noticed until... nothing could be done.”
I felt a profound sadness listening to the narrative. It was a tale of a life interrupted before it even began. “I'm sorry, Constance,” I murmured.
She smiled gently. “I am too, Fierce. But this experience made me want to be a nurse, to help other young women like Jessie have a chance.”
I paused, absorbing Constance's words. “Thanks to you, I'm getting a second chance. Learning a lot, starting even with the spoon.”
Constance laughed, and the sound filled the room. “Oh, the spoon is just the beginning, Fierce. You still have much to learn.”
As we continued our meal, I felt that we not only shared the same physical space but also a deeper understanding of our journeys and losses. Constance's house became more than a temporary shelter; it was a refuge where stories intertwined, creating unlikely and precious bonds.