By the time dinner was ready, things felt calmer. Ricky’s sister had warmed a heat pack and gently placed it against Jolene’s back. The warmth helped—enough to take the edge off. “You’d be surprised how normal all this is,” she said with a small smile. “I could barely get through some days when I was pregnant.”
Jolene let out a quiet laugh. “That bad?” “Worse,” she replied. “You’re doing just fine.” Ricky joined them soon after, setting things down at the table. The conversation stayed light. Easy. For a while, it worked. Jolene felt herself relax, the earlier tension fading into the background. After dinner, she stood up slowly.
“I think I’ll get some air,” she said. “Just for a bit.” Ricky nodded. “Don’t stay out too long.” Jolene stepped outside as the sky dipped into soft shades of orange and gold. The air was cool. Quiet. For a moment, everything felt still again. She took a few steps forward.
Then paused. Something shifted. And suddenly— everything changed.