Little by little, Celina began to feel better. She stayed there, breathing heavily, trying to make sense of what she was feeling, while Mrs. Lúcia watched her with sharp, knowing eyes. Then, without preamble, the older woman asked:

“How far along are you?”

Celina slowly turned her face away, lowering her head. Her voice came out low and shaky.

“How… how do you know?”

“My dear… I’m a mother of three. I have life experience. When you know a woman’s body, you just know.”

“I’m almost two months alo