The Teacher and the Bear

As straight as a rail. A huge red bear. A soldier who understands no boundaries. I caught my husband cheating, and he was just caught at the wrong time and—left behind two stripes on the test for a reminder.

— Get out of the way, — I say to the man standing by the clinic door, crossing my arms.

— No, you won’t come in here. Not so that you can get rid of my child.

— What made you think I’m going to... — I clench my fists to hide the trembling in my fingers.

— It’s in the fact that your eyes are swollen, — he steps toward me. — It’s because you’re afraid. And with me it won’t be.