stories.
It was 3am. Too early. Penny cried as another tooth was staking its claim in her gums. We went through the usual rounds: kisses, Tylenol, rocking, shushing. We work through these steps simultaneously anxious about not waking Jolene, and also trying to impart calm and comfort to a miserably uncomfortable baby. She feels what we feel, even if we don't say anything. Our bodies tell more than we ever want to admit, whether through a forced smile, a genuine hug, rocking arms that are either tense with worry or relaxed with calm, holding onto that baby so that she feels--rather than hears--"I've got you." * "I'm pregnant!" the woman said to the screen. She was having a video call with a family member, a young woman. "Oh, congratulations," the young woman said with kindness but not enthusiasm. "That's exciting." "It's a boy. I'm due at the end of the month." Another nurse and I exchanged smiles. This woman was not preg...