A month ago, after I received that call, I went to work the next day.

My colleague at the adjacent desk told me she was pregnant.

“I hope it’s a girl,” she said, placing her hand on mine with a gentle smile on her lips. “I love daughters the most. Ever since I got pregnant, I’ve been craving lemons, so her nickname will be Lemon.”

She was the most dynamic and strong-willed woman in our department. But when she talked about her child, her expression was one of serene gentleness I had never seen before.

Noticing my blank stare, she turned to me, “Rosie, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I shook my...