"But the baby?"
"We don't know how much damage Ivy's drug abuse may have caused the baby, or herself. Any baby coming into the world early runs the risk of respiratory distress syndrome."
Peter shook his head impatiently to indicate that he didn't understand, and Dr. Chen explained.
"A vital substance that coats the lining of the baby's lungs and its small interior cavities, called alveoli, is not fully advanced at this stage of development. The air sacs in the lungs tend to stay collapsed. We'll have the baby on a respirator, of course, but there may be other complications."
Peter closed his eyes, images of tiny pink, deflated balloons streaking across his mind. So fragile. So vulnerable and helpless.
The doctor placed a hand on Peter's shoulder. "This isn't going to be easy," he said. "We'll do our best."
And then the doctor was gone, leaving Peter to stare once more at the clock and wait, all by himself.
Chapter 15
"Hello, Matthew," Greta said coolly, settling her coffee cup onto its saucer.
"Hi," Matthew said brightly. He dropped his garment bag and briefcase in the doorway, strolled past her without so much as a glance, and went to the kitchen, where he poured himself a glass of orange juice, drank it in one gulp, and set the glass on the countertop.