town bar, her mind drifting to the slower

but she's found solace in the friendly faces a

as she pours a drink for a regular, she

ast to the peaceful atmosphere Maya has grown to love. She steels herself, ready to deal with the

she asks in a pleasant tone

s, leers at Maya. "How about a round of whiskey for me and

she replies, trying to keep her voice neutral as she pours the drinks. She set

body. "You know, I bet I could show you a real good time,

ust trying to do my job here," she says firmly. "I'd a

e that. I'm just trying to give you a little attention, that

keep your hands to yourself," she snaps. "I'm

s, his words laced with a sickening sweetness, "you shouldn't b

nt your stupid appreciation,

appreciate you

a harsh, gr

ng you something much better than this dead-end job

, her voice rising in

. "Don't play coy. I

n, move towards them. Mark, a burly man that shares to

his voice calm but firm. "She's

s to shake off Mark's hand. "This i

itchen, quick and agile, steps

ice sharp and commanding. "

ard, but his friend's seem to

his arms and

, fellas. I think we've w

he finally huffs and storms out, muttering curses. S

on his heel and walking out the door. In n

is still poundi

breath, trying to

vances before, but that enco

aches out to steady herself, bracing her hands on the counter. The roo

Mark asks, rushin

n't know. I suddenly feel..." Her voice trails off a

lls and the steady beeping of medical equipment tell her she's in a hospital. She tries to

xpression on her face. "Easy there, Miss. You

dry. "What happened?" s

er employees called an ambulance and you were brought here. We've been

k to her. "The customer...he was harassing me, and then I just..

ll, you're safe now. We're just waiting on the resul

expression on his face. "Miss Maya, I'm glad

eart racing. "What is it?"

lts of your bloodwork indicate that you're...

els her heart skip a beat. "Triplets?"

re of the cause, but it seems your pregnancy is progressing

How could this be happening? And it was acceler

ck is she g

not like this – not alone, in a fo

mix of fear and joy, and she's

?" she asks, her

Miss Maya. We can provide you with information and resources to help yo

The prospect of being a single mother t

think it over," he says gently. "You can check it out in the mea

the doctor leaves, she feels a wave o

e, and she buries her head in her

she goin

e hospital room f

stle of nurses, the sterile smell – i

ds to g

, so she checks herse

ent, Maya sinks onto the

t the wall, the news

ple

r stomach, feeling a mix of

rs to herself, tears spilling down h

to raise three ch

renting alone sen

ll space, anxiety

ut out for this? Wh

too muc

or gives her more details about her pregnancy and what s

arly paralyzed as she stares a

eless outcast

overw

octor had decided to let her h

s trembling as she clutch

eir tiny forms curled up together on

ix of love and longing as

croaks, ey