She winced from her soreness as she popped another pain pill into her mouth, washing it down with a tepid bottle of water. She looked across the misty dark room at Eric who was slumped in a chair. He was looking at her, his eyes bloodshot. “I can get your prescription refilled,” he said blandly, barely able to be heard. Candy slowly rose from the bed. She fought through the pain as she made her way down the hall, ignoring Eric’s pleas for her to remain in bed. She sluggishly opened the door to their daughter’s room. The goldenrod block letters that spelled out “Abigail” gazed back at her like blaring neon lights. She made her way to the crib and looked down inside. The strawberry and ladybug linens had been carefully selected. She turned on the mobile and listened to the sweet melody of “Rock a Bye Baby” as the tiny pink and yellow bears danced in a circle. She gripped the edge of the crib, tears streaming down her sullen face and landing on the quilted fabrics. An amber teddy bear with big brown eyes looked at her longingly as her tears coated her face.
