But hearing her best friend's unborn child's heartbeat after such a frightening afternoon overwhelmed her.
She pressed one hand against her face.
Naomi looked toward her.
Then laughed weakly.
"You're crying."
Amanda nodded.
"Mind your business."
Naomi laughed again.
Then both women began crying.
The clinician reminded them that the initial reassuring findings didn't remove the need for continued assessment and observation.
Naomi understood.
She had experienced a fall late in pregnancy, and her blood pressure required careful monitoring.
But for the first time in hours, she felt a little hope.
Then David entered the room.
He stopped beside the doorway.
Saw Naomi on the bed.
And crossed the room without speaking.
He embraced her carefully.
Naomi buried her face against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
David pulled back.
His eyes filled.
"What are you apologizing for?"
She began crying.
"I went to get my medicine, and then everything—"
He shook his head gently.
"No."
For several seconds, he held her gaze.
Then whispered, "You didn't do anything wrong."
Amanda looked away.
She didn't want to interrupt them.
David rested one hand against Naomi's belly.
For a moment, he stood still.
Then the baby moved beneath his palm.
He closed his eyes.
And began crying too.
Back at the pharmacy, Jordan Price was facing the most difficult professional decision of his career.
His supervisor had just been accused of using unnecessary force against a pregnant woman.
The pharmacy had verified the prescription.
Several witnesses had recorded the encounter.
And the orange evidence bag contained medication that appeared to have been taken without an adequate explanation.
Jordan knew the incident needed to be documented accurately.
He also knew Mercer would be furious if his account contradicted the sergeant's.
A lieutenant named Rebecca Sloan arrived shortly after the ambulance departed.
She was fifty, experienced, and known for examining incidents carefully before making judgments.
She approached Jordan.
"What happened?"
He took a breath.
Then explained the sequence.
The pharmacy complaint.
The mistaken accusation.
The prescription bag.
The shove.
The fall.
And the medical response.
The lieutenant listened.
Then asked whether his body camera had recorded the encounter.
Jordan nodded.
"Yes."
Mercer stepped forward.
"Lieutenant, Price is leaving out the fact that the woman refused commands."
Rebecca turned toward him.
"I'll take your account separately."
Mercer's face tightened.
Then he pointed toward Jordan.
"He was interfering with my investigation."