The Quiet Promise Sister Esperanza Could No Longer Remember

“She believes she is pregnant again.”

This time, Doctor Paloma did not answer immediately.

Mother Caridad felt her fingers tighten around the receiver.

“Doctor?”

“I heard you,” Paloma said.

There was something in her tone now—not surprise, but weariness.

“You do not sound shocked.”

“I am a physician. I try not to react before examining a patient.”

“That is not what I meant.”

Another silence.