Updated: March 30, 2021
Originally Published: Jan. 5, 2017
The elevator is cramped. It accommodates three individuals with walkers arranged just so, plus two home attendants, provided no one carries a bag and everyone is okay with a bit of closeness. My pregnant belly, a rare sight in these parts, makes today’s ride even tighter.
A stillness settles over us as we ascend.
“Is it a boy or girl?” one of the attendants inquiries.
Pregnant women quickly become accustomed to questions like this, as if discussing the weather.
“We’re not sure yet,” I reply with a smile.
“What would you prefer?” she asks.
Just as I’m about to elaborate on the joys of having another daughter versus a son, an elderly woman in her 90s interjects: “Does she really get to choose? No, she has no choice. She’ll love the baby no matter what, right?”