Julie and Monica
Hope Behind the Tears
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
A Chance Meeting
The uncontrollable tears were driving Monica nuts. She pushed down her emotions as she walked. The daily trips to the mall were part of her therapy for getting over the trauma. Her ‘people watching’ skills had become very acute and she enjoyed the spectacle that took place around her.
Just ahead she spotted a toddler being drug down the corridor. He was screaming and refused to go where his mom was going. Apparently the toy store two storefronts back was still holding his attention. As the scene drew attention from all the onlookers, the mom picked him up and with one motion tucked him under her arm. He continued kicking his feet and flailing his arms off to her side. Her only comment, “You are coming with me young man whether you like it or not. When you start behaving I will let you down but not until then.” This apparently struck a chord in the toddler’s brain because immediately he went limp and quiet. Something told Monica that he would have been wedged under his mother’s strong arm for a long time if he didn’t change his behavior.
Monica smiled to herself and kept walking. Up ahead was a mom sitting on a bench on the edge of the concourse. She looked tired. She had a stroller sitting beside her and she glanced down once in a while to check on her baby. Apparently she too liked to watch the spectacle at the mall. Between her glances, she looked up and studied the passers by. Their eyes met and they seemed to connect. Instead of glancing away, as she usually did if someone actually returned her stare, she held this mother in her gaze. She slowly walked over to the woman and greeted her as she approached.
The woman introduced herself as Julie. “And this is little Miss Allison.” Monica peered into the stroller to look at Miss Allison but instead saw a doll with her eyes closed, covered with a thin blanket. She thought to herself, “This woman is crazy pushing a doll around in a stroller passing it off as a real baby.” She was just about ready to turn and walk away when Allison moved her arm and audibly sighed.
Monica gasped and asked, “Is this a real baby or one of those realistic mechanical dolls? I mean it is too small to be a real baby, right?”
Julie smiled and said, “I get that question a lot. Allie is a real baby. She was born five months ago, but she’s really only two weeks old.”
“Wait a minute. How can that be?” asked Monica with a puzzled look on her face. She tried to do the math in her head but couldn’t remember exactly how many weeks a regular pregnancy lasts.
“Well,” replied Julie, “Allie was born 17 weeks early because I went into pre-term labor.”
“Wow, that is amazing. I have never seen a baby this small.” The truth was that she had seen a baby that small, but the thought of it was so painful that she had erased it from her memory.
“Allie is my miracle baby,” Julie proceeded. She described her baby’s struggle for survival. Monica listened intently. “She was just under 23 weeks gestational age when she was delivered,” Julie explained.
Monica’s demeanor visibly changed with a more somber expression.
“She was so fragile back then. She was in so much pain,” Julie concluded.
Monica, now visibly agitated, interjected, “Wait, do you mean your baby felt pain at 23 weeks?”
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About the Book
Julie and Monica have a chance meeting at the mall. Neither realize what this meeting will reveal about their own lives and how it will affect their future. Learn the secret they share together and how it might change the world if it were shared.
About the Author
Dr. Smith is a busy pediatric surgeon in Fort Wayne, IN. He lives with his wife Carolyn who helps him run his practice. He has cared for thousands of children during his years as a surgeon. He considers each and every one of his patients to be like one his own children. His 'kids' are very special and he loves all of them.