MY MOTHER-IN-LAW LOOKED AT MY 38-WEEK PREGNANT BELLY AND SAID, “LOCK THE DOORS. LET HER DEAL WITH IT ALONE.”

Then away.
Linda sighed.
“This is exactly what I was afraid of.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
“Linda, I'm in labor.”
She rolled her eyes.
“You always make everything about yourself.”
Another contraction knocked the breath out of me.
I reached toward Ethan.
“Please.”
He didn't come.
Instead, Linda walked toward the front door.
Then she stopped.
She turned toward Ethan and said something I'll never forget.
“Lock the doors.”
Ethan looked uncomfortable.
Linda continued.
“Let her deal with it herself. We are not missing our flight because of this.”
I stared at my husband.
“Ethan… you can't be serious.”
He said nothing.
He opened the door.
They walked outside.
And then—
I heard the lock turn.
They had actually locked me inside.
Alone.
In labor.