Emerson scans the car and sees the confusion and shock on our faces.
“Are you kidding me? You didn’t know I was pregnant?”
I gasp and cover my mouth with my hands as the pieces fall into place.
“What do you mean you’re pregnant? How the fuck is that possible? You’re married to a woman. Does she have a dick?”
“Kel, you are the dumbest man I’ve ever met in my life. I was inseminated.” She glances from one person to the next. “You mean to tell me thatnoneof you realized I was pregnant?”
“I just thought you were fat,” Kel says with a shrug.
“Em, I’m so sorry. I mean, all the signs were there: the snacking and constant hunger, no alcohol, the emotions. I’m so sorry. I should have known. We’re gonna have a baby!” I announce proudly, as if I’m going to be a mom myself.
Finn huffs out a small laugh and Kel’s mouth drops open wide.
“I hate you all for thinking I was only fat!”
We start to laugh and she cries out in pain. We shuffle in our seats, trying to figure out what to do to help her. But it’s obvious no one has a clue.
Ernesto holds out his hand to her and she takes it, squeezing tightly. He turns his wrist and looks at his watch. He almost seems to be counting. Maybe he has a child at home. We really know nothing about him at all.
Emerson releases her grip as the contraction subsides and Ernesto lets out a sigh. His head turns as he gazes at each one of us from left to right. He seems concerned. We all stare at him. I don’t know what we’re waiting for. I wish I knew what he was thinking.
Ernesto opens his mouth and pauses. Then he says, “Her contractions are about five minutes apart. Unless we want to have a baby on the side of the road, I suggest we bundle up and see if we can get her to that cabin we passed a few minutes ago.”
“What the ever-loving fuck?” Kel shouts as he jumps back in his seat like he’s seen a ghost.
Even Emerson’s head spins. Our mouths hang open and the car is completely silent.
“So, yeah. I might have left out the fact that I speak English. At first I thought it was just a free ride home. I thought it would be funny to allow you to believe a lowly Hispanic guy in need of a ride couldn’t speak English. But then you all mentioned the carpool. I have a driver who takes me to and from work every day, but I figured I’d save on gas money if I just went with you. So I did.
“You all were so funny and interesting, I started wondering if a reality TV carpool would be a good idea. The dynamic among us fascinated me. I started doing research, but after a while, I stopped. I found myself liking you all and I stayed because you were… I don’t know, like family.”
Emerson shifts a bit in her seat. I turn my head and see Finn smiling. I’d never thought of it that way, but we are a family; a weird, dysfunctional one, but a family nonetheless.
“I went to Tahoe because it sounded fun. I didn’t mean to worry you all. I didn’t think you’d look for me. It really touched me that you cared enough to miss your flight. Oh, and I don’t actually live where you drop me. I didn’t change my address on my driver’s license over the last few years because I bought my parents’ old house to use as a decoy. That way the press can’t trace me. My driver picks me up from there and brings me home,” Ernesto continues.
“A driver? Who the fuck are you?” Kel asks.
“Oh, where are my manners.” He holds out his hand to Kel and Kel shakes it. “My name is Ernesto Rivera. I’m an executive producer at Seamore. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, man,” Kel says with a smile. “What exactly does an executive producer do?”
Ernesto smiles and nods. “Sure. Well, I handle the financial decisions for—”
Emerson cries out in pain. “Are you kidding me right now? Can you all catch up later?”
“Right,” Finn says, clapping his hands together. “Well fuck. What a day. Let’s bundle up with whatever we can find and see if we can make it to this house. How far did you say it was?”
“I’d say maybe a mile back. I bet I can carry Emerson there, but we definitely need to put on some layers. It’s cold and there’s snow on the ground. We don’t want to freeze.”
“Let’s take turns going to the back and pulling some clothes out of our carry-ons. Liz, why don’t you go first. See what you can find in Emerson’s too.”
I nod my head and wrap my sweater around me tightly. Finn turns up the heat.
I rummage through my bag and then Emerson’s as the wind whips around me. I grab two sweaters from my bag and a hooded sweatshirt and scarf from Emerson’s. I really didn’t pack well for the cold. I should have checked the weather.
I run back to my seat, shivering.
