Does Not

We were walking into the Children’s Museum when my phone rang. It wasn’t a number I had saved but it looked familiar. As soon as I realized who the number belonged to, the phone stopped ringing. It was the Genetics Clinic. The call was about Laine.

My heart was racing. I couldn’t call them back now. We were entering the museum. Conor was ready to play. I looked down at Laine in the stroller. I had to call the clinic back. I couldn’t stand not knowing for one more second.

I burst into tears as the genetic counselor read Laine’s results. Keith was staring at me. He didn’t know who I was talking to. I started nodding. I gave Keith a thumbs up. He still didn’t understand who I was on the phone with or why I was crying. I pointed at Laine. I gave Keith another thumbs up. The genetic counselor was still talking to me but I didn’t hear anything else she said. I wanted to hang up. I wanted to scream. I was shaking.

Laine does not have Fragile X Syndrome. She is not even a carrier.

I called my mom. I could barely get the words out. My mom couldn't hear me over the sound of kids playing in the museum.

“LAINE DOES NOT HAVE FRAGILE X SYNDROME.”

“Does? Or doesn’t?”

“DOESN’T!”

“Does? Or doesn’t?”

“DOES NOT.”

“Does not?”

“DOES NOT.”

“Does not!!”

“DOES NOT!!!”

For the first time in nearly 5 months I felt like I could breathe.

XX, Bev

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