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“Rashid told me what Dr. Hagan said. I know you hate being away from your home, but I’d be lying if I said I’m sorry. I enjoy having you here.”
    “I like being with you, too, but I’d rather be home,” Gail said as Crystal seated herself on the bed.
    “Well, eat as much as you can, pack on the weight, and Dr. Hagan should allow you to return.  Have you still been being nauseous or is the medicine helping?”
    “I don’t know if it’s the medicine or the tea Carmelita has been giving me. I still don’t have much of an appetite, even though I’m able to keep my food down now.”
    “Maybe you should do like they say in the baby books and eat more frequently. It’s supposed to be healthier, eating smaller meals throughout the day rather than trying to eat three main meals.” She looked Gail up and down. “Besides, Dr. Hagan was right about one thing, you need to gain weight. You’re looking skeletal.”
    “Gee, thanks.” Gail rolled her eyes.
    “No offense, honey, but you look terrible. There are dark rings under your eyes and I can see your bones. You get any smaller and they’re going to put you in the hospital on a feeding tube.” She knew she was laying it on a bit thick, but Gail really did look horrible by anyone’s standard.
    “I’m not that bad,” Gail told her. “But I will try to eat more. Dr. Hagan says I need to gain at least five pounds over the next four weeks before he’ll release me from bed rest. Maybe I can drink some of those nutritional drinks they give elderly people who need to gain weight. You know, like Ensure or something.”
    “That’s a good idea. I’ll have Carmelita pick up some when she goes back to the grocery store. We can’t have you getting sick because you’re not getting enough nutrients.”
    They were quiet for a while. Crystal watched as Gail arranged her personal belongings in the room, making the space her own. She’d brought her CD player, pictures of Jason and Marcus and the rest of her family, and few books.
    “I can have Rashid get you a television,” she offered.
    “That’s okay. I don’t watch it that much. I brought my laptop. If I spend time doing anything, it will be playing around on-line.”
    “Well, there’s that and the pool. You’re welcome to spend as much time in it as you desire.  There’s also a large screen TV and an extensive movie library in the family room. Go in there anytime you like. ‘Mi casa es su casa’ and all that. You don’t have to spend all of your time in this room, like you have for the last two weeks,” she reminded.
    “I don’t want to intrude. You and Rashid need your privacy. Besides, I’ve been so tired that I spent most of that time sleeping. I hate to admit it, but I really did need the rest.”
    Crystal smiled. “Well, now you have another four weeks to do nothing but eat and relax. Think of it as an extended vacation. You don’t have to cook, clean, or do anything you don’t want. Catch up on your reading. You’re always saying you don’t have enough time to do things. Now you do.”
    “Yeah, that’s true.”
    “Rashid told me he wants you to stay with us until the baby is born.”
    “He mentioned something to that effect.” Gail expression turned guarded.
    “Are you considering it?” She plucked at the bedspread while she waited for her friend to answer.
    “I don’t know, Crystal. It seems an awful lot to ask.”
    “I know, but it would mean so much to him, to us,” she pleaded. “He’d get to see the baby grow and it would ease his fears. He’s always blamed himself for my miscarriages, wondering if there was something he could have done to prevent it. He hasn’t said anything, but I know he really wants this child. It freaked him out when Dr. Hagan called and said you were in the emergency room. I’m sure it brought back memories of all the phone calls he’s gotten about me over the years.”
    “You don’t know what you’re asking of me. I’ve just decided that