He raised his voice, his tone full of accusation. “Yeah, I didn’t get to pick up the phone last night, but you’re already an adult. Can’t you manage your own emotions? Now, they had to put you on antibiotics, which means the baby can’t have breast milk. Barbara said breastfeeding is the healthiest. And here you are, ruining his health. I’m not even blaming you for that, so how dare you talk divorce with me?!”
Before I could reply, the hospital room door swung open.
Barbara burst in, threw herself into Phyll’s arms, and tugged at his ear with a pouty grin.
“Well, there you are, Phyll! We’ve been looking for you everywhere. Did you forget today’s our twentieth anniversary of knowing each other? Everyone’s waiting downstairs for you!”
Phyll immediately wrapped his arms around her, and in a soft and indulgent tone, he replied, “Relax. When have I ever forgotten our anniversary?”
Then he shot me a cold glance and said, “As for what you just said, I'll pretend I didn’t hear a thing. I’ve got other things to do. Take this time to calm yourself down.”
But before he could walk away, I grabbed his sleeve, staring straight into his eyes.
“Phyll, I’m still hooked up to an IV. You’re really going to leave me here alone with our baby?”
Barbara rolled her eyes and stuck out her lip. “So what if you had a baby? Is it a big deal? Women are always such a headache. Phyll, if you dare ditch me tonight, then I'll cut you off forever. Our friendship is over!”
With that threat, Phyll shoved me away impatiently and spat, “Your left hand’s on an IV, but your right hand works just fine. And isn’t it always the mother who looks after the child? Why are you acting so spoiled?”
Without another glance at me, he carried Barbara toward the door, bellowing, "You dare threaten to cut me off, huh? Seems like someone needs a spanking."
She giggled, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Threatening to spank me now? Go ahead if you’ve got the guts! But hold me tighter, my pants are slipping!”
Phyll smirked as he patted her backside. “Then let them slip. The sound will be even better that way.”
The other patients in the ward stared at me, some with pity, others with ridicule, like I was nothing more than a joke.
Not long after, my brother arrived with a housekeeper from abroad in tow.