slow and steady

Amanda had survived another checkup. Kyle went with her. It felt good to do these things with her. Her brother Dan was a bit more busy than usual. Or so Amanda said, he just wished she'd stop covering for him. As usual, she did the bulk of the housework. Not a lot had changed. Except, Amanda was losing weight.

"Finally." She had smiled about it.

Kyle had noticed too. Her face was thinner. It was all baby now, and it seemed to be sucking the life out of her.

"Well, this isn't exactly the time to go on a diet." He sighed.

"I'm not." Of course, his Dad and the nurses looked at her as if she couldn't be telling them the truth.

Naturally, his Dad understood she'd been through a lot the past month. These weren't the best of times. He advised a few blood tests.

"At least your blood pressure is great."

Now Kyle smiled, he did his best to keep her away from salt and fried foods.

"I just don't want more tests," Amanda had said afterwards. It was as if she wanting him to take the tests for her.

"I'm sure everything is fine. The baby is doing great."

"Its just me." She sounded pessimistic about it.

"Don't say that. You're doing everything right, you are." He had to remain optimistic. He did. If only he could give her more time. He hated the fact that she was still at home, and he was working every night of the week, practically.