The longer I listen, the more I know what it means, but denial overpowers my sense of rationality. We've been careful. It's about the only area of my life where I can say that, and yet the evidence to the contrary is beating in my ears, clear as day.

It takes me a moment to find my voice, and longer still to form the right question. I swallow, thickly, my tongue like sandpaper.

"Have you... Uh... Been feeling nauseated, lately?"