Nervous but committed to each other, Ted and Nelly held hands as the doctor led them into her office. Within five years of marriage, Nelly wanted a baby desperately. She knew time was not on her side so she urged Ted and they kept trying. All to no avail.
They are both healthy and in their late thirties. Having a baby should not be this hard, Nelly thought. Ted was the most loving and dutiful husband. He comforted Nelly, reassured her again and again that their babies would come at the right time.
"Darling, how about we go for some tests? You know? Let's know what we are not doing right. I'm so worried it could be me. Maybe I am too old?" Nelly suggested.
"No, no, Nelly dearest," Ted held her tightly to his broad chest. "You must not say such things. Everything will be just fine."
After the tests at the hospital, Nelly received an email saying their test results were ready but they had to come in to speak with the doctor.
The doctor, a middle-aged African-American woman, smiled to put the couple at ease seeing they were nervous.
"The hospital had to invite you in because your sperm analysis revealed you, Mr Ted, have sperm dysfunction which we are sure is ninety per cent responsible for your infertility."
Ted and Nelly froze for a second. Nelly slowly withdrew her hand from Ted's firm, warm clasp just as Ted watched his wife's hand slip away from his. His heart sank.
Ted knew that an end had come to his marriage.
I hope you enjoyed reading my piece. This freewrite is inspired by the prompt "test results". Join the @freewriters community to receive daily prompts, hosted by @mariannewest. You are invited to participate.
Photo by Pablo Heimplatz from Unsplash.com