The Seventh Day Of His Leave

Synopsis

"Sophia's in the hospital. I need to check on her," Zachary Shaw said. I was breastfeeding. Eighteen days after birth, Zachary stood at the door, slipping on his shoes, acting as if he were just going for groceries. I didn't say a word. The day of my C-section, Zachary said he was busy and didn't show up. My mom signed the surgery consent form. For eighteen days postpartum, Zachary never took a day off and worked until eleven every night. When his ex-wife, Sophia Sullivan, was hospitalized, he took seven days off immediately. "Go ahead," I said. Zachary paused, looking a little surprised. He likely didn't expect me to agree so easily.