Except For The Life Of The Mother

Staring at fake nails tips and polish in a NYC Walgreens I had to sit down. I was so very exhausted and tired and couldn’t hold my then (I miss) size 4 body weight anymore.

I shook myself together. Had a meeting set to network and was determined to create the appearance of a manicure.

I got this, I said.

I pulled myself up, headed to the checkout with I think those fake acrylic things, possibly some frozen dessert and perhaps a bottle of juice… not really sure.

All I remember is that it was my turn in line and I went to grab my wallet and the cashier looked at me funny and reached his hand to me and then… nothing…

I woke up surrounded by faces. I was flat on my back in a Walgreens in Uptown New York.

“I’m pregnant”.

The first words I said as a response to someone.

I was pulled to my feet and suddenly strangers were bringing me water bottles. Over and over and over again I had total strangers handing me everything from water to granola to gum to I think even a hot pocket.

I’m fine, I need to just go sleep, I said. And they wouldn’t let me leave. They propped me up on a display case near the door and said 911 had been called, paramedics were on the way.

A British tourist held my body up. His accent was memory and I turned and said I thanked him but I didn’t want his tourism here to be a silly woman who passed out in a Walgreens…