Olympia suddenly says. “What do you mean?” Malorie asks. The two are sitting together on the third step up the staircase. “Our housemates. They’re scared of our bellies. And I know why. It’s because one day they’re going to have to deliver these babies.” Malorie looks into the living room. She has been at the house for two months. She is five months pregnant. She too has thought of this. Of course she has. “Who do you think will do it?” Olympia asks, her wide, innocent eyes trained on Malorie. “Tom,” Malorie says. “Okay, but I’d feel a lot better if there was a doctor in the house.” This thought is always looming for Malorie. The inevitable day she gives birth. No doctors. No medicine. No friends or family. She tries to imagine it as a quick experience. Something that will happen fast and be over with. She pictures the moment her water breaks, then imagines holding the baby. She doesn’t want to think about what’ll happen in between. The others are gathered in the living room.
