Replica (16 page)

Gloria pulled a sonagram machine close to the table, then squirted some clear gel on Freedman's belly. She slid the arm of the sonogram over the belly until she stopped at a point just below the navel. Freedman could hear the steady whoosh, whoosh of the baby's heart. Freedman glanced over and looked at the screen. She always liked to watch when they did the sonogram. Even though the baby technically didn't belong to her, she felt a sense of attachment that all mothers feel. She was used to seeing the small fetus with its arms and legs curled up to its torso. This time, however, it looked different. The body seemed much longer and the head looked as if it had doubled in size from the last visit just one month earlier.

"It's getting big," Freedman said to Gloria.

Gloria smiled without comment and marked various landmarks on the computer screen with the light stick. Then she stepped over to the doctor.

Freedman listened carefully to the conversation.

"I think it's time, doctor."

"Okay, let's prep her."

"Is everything all right?" asked Freedman.

"Everything is fine, were just gonna run some tests. We need you to be asleep during them. I'm just gonna put some medicine in your IV. When you wake up, we'll be all finished."

Freedman watched as Gloria inserted the needle into the rubber port on her IV line. Then everything went foggy as she heard Gloria's last words to her.

"Don't worry, it will be all over before you know it."