A Promised Fate by Cat Mann

why Ava won’t ever
iron.
    “I went with Ava to her doctor’s appointment today.”
She said.
    “That’s nice.”
    “It was nice. I got to hear the baby’s heartbeat for
the first time.”
    “Pretty cool, huh?”
    “Oh, wow, yes. I cried.”
    “Me too.”
    “Ava had another anxiety attack, Ari.” She dropped a
bomb.
    “What the hell!” I shot up in my seat and screamed
into the line at her. “Why are you just now telling me this?”
    “Excuse me, but I called you three times.”
    “If you tell Fauna's there's an emergency, she’ll put
you right through to me -- it’s her job.”
    “It was a small panic attack. I was with her
while it happened. We got through the hard parts together. She’s
alright now. I just wanted to catch you before you got home
tonight. I wanted to make sure you were aware of the
situation.”
    “What triggered the attack -- do you know?”
    She puffed out a loud, weighty
breath, “I don’t know. One minute we were talking and then the next thing I
know she’s… gone… no life in her eyes, struggling to breathe, it
was as if Ava had been trapped somewhere deep and scary inside her
mind.”
    “What were you two talking about before the attack
happened?”
    “Nothing really. I was talking about you and how
happy you are to be a father.”
    “Did you get her some meds?”
    “She took some, yeah. The whole thing really
frightened Max.”
    “Christ, he was there?”
    “Well, yeah, Ari. He and Ava are always together.
Andy had the afternoon off, so after it happened, I called him and
he took Max up to the surf shop to try and help get his mind off
things. Don’t be surprised if Max comes home with his own
board.”
    “So where is Ava now?”
    “Home.”
    “Alone?”
    “I just left your house. She really is better. She
said she had work to do. I swear I wouldn’t have left her if I had
thought she wasn’t well.”
    “I’m coming home…”
    “No. Give her space. She needs some time to clear her
mind.”
    “How long did the attack last?”
    “The bad part lasted no more than five minutes. I
hung around for an hour and talked with her while I ironed shirts
for you and Max. I waited to see if she was going to have another
one but she was acting completely normal.”
    “She let you iron our clothes?”
    “Well she wasn’t happy about it but gosh, Ari,
someone has to iron and she sure as hell won’t do it.”
    “ Ugh . Whatever. Are you sure she’s
okay?”
    “I promise you, she is perfect. I
wouldn’t have told you about it but I think it’s important that you know. I know how you like to call her
doctor but I don’t think it’s necessary this time. Let’s see if she
has another one before you get him involved.”
    “Alright. Thanks for taking care of her.”
    “You know I love her. I would do anything for Ava.
Don’t get mad, but I made you dinner. It’s just spaghetti and some
garlic bread, nothing special. You can find it in the fridge next
to the milk. The bowl is microwave safe, so you can heat it up and
then stick it in the dishwasher when you're finished. Remember, I
want the bowl back.”
    “Thanks. I’ll see you this weekend. I promise.”
    I reached across the desk and ended my call with my
mom and as soon as the line was released, another call rang
through.
    “This is Ari.” I answered before Fauna could
intercept.
    “It’s me, August. I called you twice today.”
    “I got your messages, I’ve just been busy. What’s
up?”
    “I did it!” He shouted excitedly at me.
    “Did what exactly?”
    “I took your advice.”
    “That’s not like you, but what advice of mine did you
take?”
    “I called The Dana Point Institute and told the Dean
I’m not coming back for fall semester. Collin and I start our work
partnership effective immediately!”
    “Wow… I cannot believe you really did it.
Congratulations, August.”
    “Thanks! I’m nervous but this decision feels right
and now that the two of us aren’t tied down, we can travel and