Fathers Day, 2001
I was working for the Astros. (LOVE.) On Sundays following afternoon games, kids got to run the bases. On Fathers Day it was a big 'dads and kids' push. I had this conversation with my boss (who had known me for approximately four months) and my coworker (who had known my boss for much longer):
Boss, not seriously: We should go down there.
Me: But we're not fathers.
Boss: You know, [my wife] lost a baby in October.
Me: <O.M.G. Cannot believe I just said that, but holy hell, how was I supposed to know? Ackackack.>
Boss: It was only five weeks. She was fine. Her mom came and stayed.
Coworker: Are you going to try again?
Boss: Well, yeah, maybe, but that would mean we'd have to have sex.
Me: <still standing there, looking stricken>
Boss, seeing the look on my face, to me: Sorry.
October, 2010
At my aunt's house, getting ready for my Grandpa's funeral the next day.
Mom: We used to go visit the cemetery when we were kids. And I would always see the stone for "Baby Ring." I just thought it must have been our grandparents. I didn't realize it would have been our sister. She was stillborn in 1950. I asked Mom once what they would have named her. They would have named her Linda.
Last Thursday
Mom: So how did you appointment go?
Me: ... There was no heartbeat. [etc. etc.] Now I'm just waiting and hoping things happen naturally.
Mom: I wish I was there to give you a hug. I know it probably doesn't help but I did go through it, too. ... Did they tell you that ... you'll actually see it? I mean, it will come out.
Me: Well I googled.
Last Friday
Me, to my brother: Did Mom tell you what happened...?
Brother: Dad did. I'm sorry. That sucks.
Brother, later: Just think of it this way. This will make you feel better: if Mom wouldn't have had a miscarriage, then you wouldn't have ME as a brother!
Last Saturday
Me, to my dad: So [Brother] said if Mom hadn't had a miscarriage, then he wouldn't have been born.
Dad: Did he talk to your mother? She said the same thing.
Me: I don't think the exact same sentiment was behind it.
Dad: It brought up a lot of bad memories for her. It took her back to when she had her miscarriage. It was over Christmas; you were about 3 or 4. Same thing as you, about nine weeks.
Me: Did her baby die and they didn't know until later?
Dad: Well, no. I think her placenta just didn't work. She delivered it. I mean, it was alive. She delivered an intact amniotic sac and she handed it to me and the baby was swimming around inside. I mean, it stopped within a minute or so.
Me: <EEEEIIII.>
