Autumn — Twelve

During group therapy, Autumn battles self-consciousness over drinking coffee while visibly pregnant. Dr. Singh discusses trauma’s effects on the brain, prompting Autumn to remember Finny and recognize her own looping grief. Brittaney bluntly recounts hearing her ex’s blame after their infant died of brain cancer, revealing a past of foster care, teen pregnancy, and quitting smoking under stress.

In the restroom, Brittaney confidently predicts Autumn is having a girl and asks about the upcoming ultrasound. Autumn admits fear of discovering something wrong and shares that the baby’s father is dead. Brittaney frames uncertainty as sometimes out of one’s hands and exposes her own armor of nonchalance.

After the session, a text from Mom about a flat tire leaves Autumn stranded. Brittaney insists on giving her a ride and explains how a former foster mother helped her secure life-insurance funds to buy a house. This prompts Autumn to mention Finn’s trust money and her reluctance to engage with John.

Brittaney reframes the issue: the money belongs to the child, not Autumn, urging her to think long term. She recommends a practical parenting book and, as they drive through North County, normalizes parental fear. She distills parenting to three controllables—keeping a child clean, fed, and loved.

By the time they reach Autumn’s house, the mantra “clean, fed, loved” gives Autumn a concrete standard she can meet, easing her dread about the ultrasound and parenthood. Before leaving, Brittaney reassures her that, no matter the outcome, Autumn’s care will put the baby ahead—and repeats her conviction that the baby is a girl.