In Sickness and in Wealth Read Online Free PDF Page A

was that desperate and horny.
    She turned sideways, biting her lip as she studied her reflection. Her hand skimmed her perfectly flat stomach. She frowned, looking unhappy and displeased with what she saw. Kay had abs ordinary girls would kill for. I cursed the sorority for instilling a sense of unrealistic body perfection. She looked pretty damn perfect to me.
    "I don't know—"
    "Get it," I reiterated.
    She smiled uncertainly at me. "You're spoiling me. It's expensive—"
    Another girl would have taken advantage of my generosity and abused it. Kay had to be convinced. Which was one reason I loved her. She didn't take my generosity for granted. "What's money for if you can't spend it on the woman you love?"
    Too much? Maybe. Angelina, the Italian woman helping us, smiled at the amore .
    "I love that violet color. It looks great on you and matches your eyes," I said, trying to encourage Kay.
    Her forehead creased before she broke into a soft laugh. "Jus! This dress is blue. And so are my eyes, and you know it. I'm not Elizabeth Taylor with her famed violet eyes."
    I shrugged. "You are to me."
    It hadn't escaped my notice that she'd begun wearing my favorite colors. I was enormously pleased.
    She turned to Angelina. "He's colorblind."
    Angelina made a sympathetic noise.
    "Don't you ever wish you saw the world as it really is?" Kay asked me.
    "No. I like my version of it just fine." I motioned to Angelina. "We'll take it. Mail it home with the rest."
----
    K ayla
    Angelina spoke perfect English. Inside the dressing room, I held my breath as she unzipped the back of the dress for me. I couldn't have gotten in and out of it without her help. The dress, all the clothes Jus had bought me, were beautiful, the kinds of things you see in high-fashion magazines and dream about. But don't think you'll ever be able to afford.
    Ordinarily, I would have been on top of the world, waiting for fall when the season turned so I could wear these new luxuries. But given my current condition, it seemed a waste to buy a dress for fall unless it was maternity fashion.
    As I stepped out of it, I turned to Angelina. "Can this dress be taken out?"
    She gave me a curious look. "You're so slender, signora . It's a perfect fit. You don't need it let out at all."
    I leaned into her and put a hand on her arm, glancing cautiously toward the door as if Jus could hear. I lowered my voice. "I'm pregnant." I put a finger to my lips. "My husband doesn't know."
    So the first person I told was a saleswoman, a complete stranger, who couldn't have cared less, except that I might balk at more purchases and cut her commission. Even so, I felt lighter at sharing with someone.
    She nodded knowingly. "I can keep the secret. Congratulations."
    I pinched my mouth to one side. "Hmmmm…thanks."
    She sensed my worry. "You aren't happy?"
    I couldn't say too much. "I'm uncertain. This wasn't planned. We've only been married a few months." I paused. I was running off at the mouth. "Can you show me anything that will hide a pregnancy for a few months longer?"
    She nodded. "Of course. But you won't be able to hide it in the bedroom." Italians were frank about sex.
    "No, of course not. He'll have to know soon. But as for the rest of the world, I'd just as soon keep them in the dark as long as possible."
    Angelina studied my figure. "Your husband wants to show you off. We'll have to be very clever to get what we want past him. Something with ruching, I think."
    I nodded, relieved.
    "Have you been to the Duomo di Milano yet?"
    It seemed and odd, out-of-the-blue question, especially from a saleswoman.
    "Not yet. We haven't had time for sightseeing," I said. "We will before we leave Milan."
    "It's very beautiful. One of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Light a candle and ask Saint Gerard Majella to watch over you while you're there. He's the patron saint of pregnant women. You'll want his help."
    Yes, but did you ask saints of pregnancy to help you lose a pregnancy? A miscarriage would