HELEN AND I GAZED at the sonogram monitor, which featured bizarre shapes that looked like nothing identifiable as a human or even alien child. The sight brought tears to our eyes anyway.
She'd taken a beating, but she hadn't lost the baby. She was one strong mother and she was going to have one strong kid.
"Is it a boy or girl?" Helen asked.
The doctor smiled. "Both."
My eyes widened. "Oh my God! The kid's a hermaphrodite?"
Helen laughed and playfully swatted my arm. "No, you goof. He means we're having twins." The realization of that fact sunk in and her voice became somewhat less chipper. "Twins."
"Actually, no," said the doctor. "Triplets."
Helen swatted my arm again. This time it wasn't quite as playful.