“The baby came? Oh my god, congratulations!”

“Thanks, but um…”

“What’d you name her?”

“Allyson. Ally for short.”

“She’s perfect! Absolutely gorgeous!”

“I know. If only…”

“How does Belle like being a big sister?”

“She really—“

“She must be wonderful with Ally. She’s so good with my kids…If all babysitters were like Belle, I could actually go out once in a while!”

“Yes, yes she is. She really loves Ally, actually…”

“Oh, how wonderful! That’s just lovely. Just lovely.”

“So, what I really came over to ask, was, well…”

“Yes? Anything for you, you know!”

“Well, would you come to the funeral tomorrow? It would really mean a lot to us.”

“Funeral? Oh, I’m so sorry! Who passed away? You didn’t tell me!”

“Well, it was the baby…she…she…she was stillborn.”

“What? But how…the baby’s right there!”

“No, no! I thought you knew! This is Belle’s doll! From parenting class at the high school!”