Hey y'all! Hope you're enjoying the story so far! Thank you to the Mod Team for adding the "Existential Horror" Flair. I hope it opens more doors for my fellow writers! If you're loving this story, don't hesitate to leave an upvote! I'm also always open to feedback, so comment away! Happy reading! :)

Part 1

1st Interlude

Part 2

Dry Heat: Valentine's 1995

Matilda sat pretending to read a magazine in the waiting room. The receptionist, a younger woman she would estimate to be in her mid twenties, was reading an old book whose title she couldn’t recognize. Two other women sat to her left and right. One was squinting at the static on the boxy TV in the corner. The other woman held her pregnant belly with one hand and a magazine in the other. She was quietly reading an article about how bees make honey to the potential life inside her.

This was encouraging for Matilda to see. She and Bob had tried for years and years to have a second child, using the common method most people would if they wanted more kids. When it didn’t just happen, the young couple tried medications, dieting, exercising, different positions in the bedroom, and even IVF. And every time, they would be let down, whether it be a negative pregnancy test or no need for one at all. Matilda felt the clock ticking. She was, after all, halfway to 40. And though she still felt young, the messages she received from family, friends, and TV was quite the opposite.

After almost seven years, the two were ready to quit trying and let Cory enjoy "only child perks." But then one cold afternoon around Christmas, they saw an interview with a woman who experienced a miracle after meeting with a homeopathic doctor. After doing some reading, making calls, checking with insurance, and using a chunk of Cory's college fund, Matilda had set off for Yuma, Arizona. A final prayer-filled Hail Mary.

Before she knew it, another young woman in scrubs was calling for her to come back to the examination room. The clinic was sterile, like any other, but the decor on the walls stood out. Old, gorgeous paintings were hung in their baroque frames depicting what she could only guess were biblical fables put to canvas. It was like a European art museum that smelled of hospital. The thought left her head as she was placed in a side closet to do the song and dance of basic health information.

Despite emptying her pockets, then taking off her shoes and jewelry, Matilda was still not happy with the number on the scale. Even with decent blood pressure and painless blood sample collection, she was getting the sinking feeling again. All the while, the nurse made kind small talk before escorting her into the examination room.

The doctor was already there, waiting. His long, bushy beard was the same salt-and-pepper color as his curly head of hair. "Miss Gordon, so nice to meet you." His walnut eyes beamed at her, taking her off guard. His ghost of a dialect intrigued her.

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Abdelaal." She said, shaking his hand.

He gestured to the examination table, "Go ahead and have a seat."

She quickly climbed atop, the paper liner crinkling awkwardly as she got comfortable. The nurse closed the door, and Dr. Abdelaal took a seat on the rolling chair close by.

"So, you've travelled quite a long way to be here."

"Mississippi, yes sir."

"Ah, yes, a lot more vibrant than this desert," he said with a chuckle.

Matilda returned it with nervous emphasis, "A lot more humid too."

"More opportunity for growth there. You may be surprised, but at least half of my clientele comes from your home state."

"That's how I heard about you. A woman, Lacy, I think her name was, did an interview for our local news about her 'miracle baby.'"

His smile broadened, "Do you believe in miracles, Miss Gordon?"

She pursed her lips, trying to muster a smile, "I did."

"Not the first time I have heard that, but I promise you, with my help, you will believe again." He kept his smile as he glanced over the intake paperwork, "Vitals all good, awaiting your blood work, perfect weight."

She looked at him, confused, "That's a 2 at the front."

"I know. Contrary to what some doctors will tell you, I've found that women with higher weight have more ample capacity to nurture a child from conception into the early years. Simply put, there's more to feed on."

Despite how he phrased this, it gave Matilda a boost of confidence she had not felt in quite some time. "That makes sense."

He glanced up at her, "And, your husband, uh- Robert, where is he today?"

"He's back at home taking care of our son."

"Ah, spending Valentine's alone? That is no way for a wife to be treated."

Her heart ached for a brief moment. This would be the first Valentine's Day she didn't get to spend with Bob. He always did something grand on Valentine's. "Well, we could only afford one plane ticket, and he can't miss work right now, so. He would be here if he could."

"I see," he said with a smirk, "well, of course, you are not the only factor in this equation. I will need to do labs on him as well."

Matilda made a face, and Dr. Abdelaal quickly soothed her, "I can make arrangements through the postal service for all of that." As these words left his lips, her smile returned. He placed the clipboard on the table beside him and leaned in closer to her. "Pardon me for being so hasty after you've made such a long trip, but Miss Gordon time is of the essence in these matters. I'm confident in saying, I think you are a perfect candidate for my program. "

"That's- that's so...great!" She said, hope washing over her like warm sunlight.

"Now, I'm sure you have heard about my proprietary supplements, yes? I promise I am not a snake-oil salesman; these are the backbone of our work here."

"Yes, I've read about them. Could you tell me more about some of the ingredients?"

"I could, but it would be hard to explain if you are not from my homeland. What you need to know is that all of the ingredients are naturally sourced and processed right here by my staff."

"I- that's good to know. Thank you."

His face became serious, he clasped his large hands around hers. Her instinct was to recoil, but his gaze held her in a way she couldn't describe, "Many of the women I see have reservations, but I promise you, it is my solemn duty- my mission from God himself, to ensure you have this baby."

Her gaze lingered, taking in the grandiosity of this man, this supposed doctor. On one hand, she appreciated how direct and optimistic he was; on the other, she felt like she was buying an ornate box of bullshit. Either way, she knew that at this point, she had no other choice but to trust him. At least for now. "Thank you. Having a supportive doctor is...important."

"And I will support you every step of the way. Now, I will write you a monthly prescription to be delivered by mail. I will include instructions for your husband, and we should have your lab results by the end of today." He paused for a moment, gently removing his hand. "Perhaps we could discuss them over dinner?"

Matilda blushed, trying not to scowl. Her head swam with feelings of curiosity, surprise, and utter disgust. Even though she felt she was at this man's mercy, especially now that the money was spent, she could clearly see she would need to keep her distance.

"I brought my cell phone with me," she said, patting her heavy purse, "You can call me on it whenever you have the results."

His charming smile never ceased, even with the rejection, "I understand. Well, do you have any other questions?"

She paused, her face feeling less flushed, "If we follow your instructions, how soon can we expect, you know- a positive test?"

"I'd say within the next month or so."

"That soon?"

"That soon."

"Well then, I can't wait. Thank you, Dr. Abdelaal, seriously."

"You can call me Caesar, Miss Gordon." He said, watching her slide off the table and onto her feet. "You have my office number, do not hesitate to call anytime."

She smiled in response and made her way back to the front.

Later, on the cab ride back to the hotel, she looked through the bottles of supplements. All of them were a dark, transparent emerald color. She made a mental note to visit the library to investigate the ingredients. She glanced at her watch; it was 3:00 PM. She did the math in her head to determine what time it was back home. Before she could finish her thought, the cellphone rang in her purse.

Pulling out the gray plastic brick and extending the antenna, she placed it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Happy Valentine's Day, my love!" Bob's sing-song voice crackled through the earpiece, and instantly her nerves faded.

They caught up about the flight, the hotel, and the strange appointment with the doctor. Bob seemed humored by the attempts at flirtation. The conversation lingered on as Matilda entered the hotel. They delved into plans for the flight back, Cory's behavior at school, and the supplements. As Matilda unlocked the door to her room, she hurried to the bed. She was tired from the travel and had an early flight the next morning.

As she approached, though, she saw a card with a black velvet box sitting by the pillows. "Bob!"

"What?"

"How did you manage this?"

"Manage what, baby?" He asked in his thick southern drawl.

"You don't have to play dumb, you sent a gift."

He paused. "I didn't send nothing, I was gonna surprise you when I got home."

"Well, there goes the surprise," she said, sitting on the mattress and opening the card. She read it aloud, "We hope you enjoy your visit with Dr. Abdelaal. Accept this bracelet as a way to show the world that you are still verdant."

"Still what?"

"Verdant, Bob, it means, like- a good place for flowers to grow," she said openning the box.

"Oh, I get it."

Inside, the bracelet was made of what looked like normal black rocks. She held it up to the sunlight and saw a slight green shimmer. "It's nothing fancy."

"Well...I guess that was nice of him." Bob crackled, his voice muffled by the sounds of traffic through the earpiece. "Tilda, I got to go. I'm about to grab Cory from my parents. Be safe getting home tomorrow."

"I will. Love you."

"Love you too."

Click. She hung up the phone, rolling the rocks of the bracelet in her hand. The Sun blazed through the window as she slid the jewelry onto her wrist. Looking out over Yuma, she saw people, cars, buses, all buzzing around in their day-to-day bubble. The city was in a bowl made of craggy rocks and desert sands. A cluster of tall buildings jutting out of nothing. It was a beautiful sight. She couldn't put her finger on why it felt off, though; life staking claim somewhere that was, for all intents and purposes, barren.