Melinda let go of me and took Mia's hand. "Mia, I think one room for both of you is enough. We don't need two presidential suites, right?"
The atmosphere turned awkward. The manager's smile froze on her face as she looked at us, embarrassed.
Mia was visibly downcast but soon raised her head and smiled at Melinda, "It's alright. I'll stay downstairs. I'm already very grateful."
I laughed with my mom, Melinda, and the manager laughed too.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Signing the contract and transferring the money went smoothly, and I already started looking forward to my confinement period, eager to move in immediately and have hundreds of people taking care of me every day.
My brother Jayden and my mom Melinda lived in the same neighborhood, so close to my due date, I moved over to make it easier for them to take care of me. In the late stages of pregnancy, I needed someone around all the time.
Jayden was a truck driver and only comes home once every ten days or so. His wife, Mia, who was also heavily pregnant and unable to work, joined us for meals.
Her due date was a few days before mine. Three nights before her due date, Melinda was out all night, I don't know where.