Maeve slowly drove her car into the parking lot of the apartment building where she lived. She had just returned from shopping and was finally back home. She took a quick glance in the mirror. She was tired and drained. Pregnancy was taking its toll. She carefully unbuckled her seat belt before opening the car door. With a little difficulty, Maeve finally managed to get out before she closed the driver's door and took a deep breath.

She was now eight months pregnant. She was in constant pain and always hungry. Organizing everything was not easy because she was on her own. Since Travis had left her, she had to cope with everything on her own. That meant shopping for baby clothes, finishing painting the nursery, and going to the gynecologist alone for checkups. Just the thought of it made Maeve sad. She hadn't wanted it that way. Especially not that her daughter would probably grow up without a father.

So she waddled slowly to the trunk of her car and took out the two heavy shopping bags before she slowly walked towards the front door. She was breathing heavily and sweat was beading on her forehead. 'Take it easy, Maeve. One step at a time,' she encouraged herself as she tried to walk up the steps to the front door. She put down the bags and opened the door before stepping into the entrance hall of the house. Slowly she approached the elevator, on which a 'Defect' sign hung. “What? That wasn't there this morning!” she swore softly. Was the whole world against her now?

Overwhelmed by the situation, tears formed in her eyes as she slowly made her way to the stairwell and went up the steps. She lived on the 5th floor. She had always taken the elevator before, but now she couldn't help it. She was already running out of breath on the first floor. She was breathing heavily. Beads of sweat were running down her forehead when suddenly one of the bags fell out of her hand and the fruit inside rolled across the floor. “Oh no,” she exclaimed and when she jerked, the other bag also fell to the floor. All the shopping was scattered across the floor. Maeve was completely overwhelmed by the situation and began to cry.

'What am I going to do? How am I going to manage all this?' she thought again, when suddenly the door to one of the apartments opened and her landlord stepped out. Looking for help and sobbing, Maeve looked at him. “P-please... Could you maybe help me with the shopping? The elevator is broken and I just can't make it to the 5th floor. Please help me.” It was pathetic, but she couldn't think of anything else to say. So she looked at her landlord, seeking help, and hoped that he would help her.