On her way to the hospital, Monica nced at her phone a few times.


    Still nothing from Jason.


    Annoyed, she flipped on the radio for a distraction.


    Of course, the host was saying, “Never trust a man who says he''s too busy. ''Busy''


    is just an excuse. No matter how mmed you are, you''ve got to eat, you''ve got


    to use the bathroom, you''ve got a few seconds at a red light—there''s always time to text back..."


    Monica groaned. Was this supposed to make her feel better? She switched off the radio, pressed her foot down, and sped to the hospital.


    It was lunchtime.


    Inside, Anastasia and Herman were with Pattie, taking care of her. Pattie couldn''t eat solid food and was hooked up to an IV. Watching their little girl suffer made both parents ache.


    Herman had brought a bunch of gifts to cheer Pattie up. He told her stories about the world outside, hoping to distract her.


    Anastasia sat beside them, just listening. The three of them looked so close, their little family moment warm andforting.


    Pattie was fascinated by Herman''s stories about the coast. She signed: Dad, is it fun by the sea?


    "The view is amazing there," Herman said, catching her drift. "Once your throat''s better and you''re out of here, I''ll be heading to the coast for work. I''ll take you with me. We''ll go out on a boat at night, look at the stars and the moon together."


    Pattie''s eyes lit up: I want to see dolphins dance.


    Herman grinned. "Deal. Want to know a secret? When I was little, I saw dolphins dancing in the waves. It was incredible."


    Anastasia''s curiosity was piqued. "Really, Herman? You''ve seen dolphins dance?"


    Hermanughed. "If I''m making that up, then I''m a puppy."


    Pattie and Anastasia both cracked up.


    At that moment, Monica walked in and saw the happy scene. She smiled. "Looks like I''m the third wheel here. How are you feeling, Pattie?"


    Pattie nodded, signing she was feeling much better.


    Anastasia shot her a grin. "So, how bright of a third wheel are you?"


    "At least a hundred watts," Monica joked. "I was at the spa, figured I''d swing by."


    Truth was, the spa and the hospital weren''t anywhere close. But Anastasia didn''t call her out on it; she understood Monica''s intentions.


    Herman stood up. "Since Monica''s here, I''ll leave you girls to chat. I have a meeting at the office but I''ll be back in a couple of hours."


    "Go ahead, we''ll be fine," Anastasia said.


    Herman ruffled Pattie''s hair. "I''ll tell you more stories when I get back."


    Pattie nodded and waved goodbye.


    Once Herman left, Anastasia tucked Pattie in and told her to rest, then turned to Monica. “You''re at the hospital almost every daytely. Why not hang out with Jason?"


    Monica sighed. "All he cares about is work. My mom called, asked us toe for dinner tonight. I texted him, but he still hasn''t replied."


    "He''s probably busy," Anastasia said softly, catching Monica''s mood.


    "He''s always busy," Monica


    muttered, slumping in her chair. "Even when he finally gets a day off he gets called back for something. Whenever I need him, he''s never there Ana, if I married him, wouldn''t that just be like being single?"


    Cóntent


    Anastasia''s eyes widened. "Monica, what''s going on? Did you guys fight?"


    Monica shook her head, looking deted. "We don''t even see each other enough to fight."


    "Maybe you''re just out of the


    honeymoon phase," Anastasia said. "Every couple goes through it. First it''s all butterflies, thenes the adjustment. Arguments, doubts, feeling insecure-it''s normal And you always knew how demanding Jason''s job is."


    "I know, which is why I don''t even let myself get mad," Monica said quietly. "I''m always the one adapting to his schedule. I don''t darein. I just swallow it."


    Anastasia reached over and


    squeezed Monica''s hand. "Monica, that''s not how it should be. Rtionships go both ways. If you''re the only one making sacrifices, you''ll just burn out. You have to talk to Jason about this. Communication is the only way you''ll get through it."