Sunday
Today’s To-DoList…
HateVlogging.
Hatepeople.
Hate chickens, boxes, and that foul root,garlic.
Avoid Rush and Nolan, thus avoiding death byfratricide.
Mine the ’net for ways to defuse the plague that has overtaken mybody.
Sit in the corner and enjoy one hell of a pityparty.
Repeatsix.
I’mpregnant.
I’mpregnant.
My brothers will kill me. My father will disown me. My friends will want nothing to do with me once I begin waddling around campus like a penguin. My life as I know it is forever ruined and over. Done. My future just went up in pink and blueflames.
Seth and I stared at that stick an awful long time before I essentially thanked him for his bodily fluids and kicked him out. He looked desperately sad for me, and I really couldn’t handle that. The last thing I want or need is pity for how stupid I’ve been. I’ve made a life choice, and now I need to live with it—and him or her. Theend.
A week sails by and then a few days after that until we’re right on top of Valentine’s Day. Seth has invited me out to his games, but as fun as that sounds, I’m just not up for it. Trixie goes, of course, because Rush is playing, but since the two of them still think I’m battling this wicked flu, neither has bothered to ask me to tag along.Thankfully.
I did somehow manage to fool my viewers with that bait-and-switch urine analysis, and I couldn’t be happier, but sooner or later—like, say in nine months—the truth will come out. I’m still so confused over everything that’s happened. It’s all I can do to keep my head in my books. I’m barely passing my classes as it stands. Not only is my attention span down to nil, but my nausea is downright debilitating on most days. I tried to ask a few of my professors if I could just read the books and show up for exams, and they surprisingly said it was fine as long as I had a doctor’s note. I don’t even have adoctor, and I’m pretty sure if you’re expecting a baby, a doctor is a key element in landing your future bundle into the worldsafely.
It’s another big game night, and the dorm is empty. Seth is playing, so he won’t be texting for a while. He’s been so sweet and attentive you’d think he were the father. Instead of sitting around and waiting for the toilet bowl to seduce me again, I snap up my purse and head to the Black Bear. If there’s one person who knows a thing or two about having a baby—or what to do about one in general, it’s Izzy. I’ve already texted and asked her to meet me there, and she said it was no problem. I’m pretty sure she thinks we’re about to discuss that makeover I promised her at the wedding, and I do plan on keeping my word. Just like I plan on keeping my word regarding that hundreds of thousands I inadvertently owe the homeless shelter down in Jepson. Wow, when I screw up, I really gobig.
The walk across the street is met with a frozen breeze. Snow is still piled high all around us, and instead of mistletoe and holly strung up in all the windows, the world is now dotted with pink doily hearts. It’s not quite V-Day yet but the world won’t let you forget about it. I head into the Black Bear and exhale as the warmth wraps around me like a thick wool blanket. I spot Izzy seated at the bar and give a friendly wave. It’s empty in here, save for a few tables peppered with the odd student, but as soon as the Mustang Dome lets out, it will be filled to the brim, I’msure.
“Hey, girl!” Izzy staggers over with her enormous belly dripping between her legs, and for the life of me I’m tempted to snag a tablecloth and use it as a net. She’s wearing a bright blue top that fans out like a bell, and underneath that it looks as if she’s miraculously squeezed into her skinny jeans. She gives me a quick hug, and I steal a moment to take in her sugary perfume. This is how I envision it would have gone if my mom hadn’t died. Lots of sugary-scented hugs, a warm smile, and a glow about her reserved just for me. “You want to take a seat at thebar?”
I glance over at the guys all huddled over the counter andgrimace.
“I was sort of hoping for somewhere with a little moreprivacy.”
“Sure thing. I know just the place.” She leads us to the back, and we land at a table with silk banana leaves partially blocking us from the rest of theestablishment.
“You look great,” I say as I take a seat across from her. She does look great, but the fact she just turned to her left to accommodate her burgeoning belly sends a shiver right through me. “Wow, you’re really—having a baby.” I blink back tears before they can give meaway.
“You’re observant.” She gives a little wink as she leans in on her elbow. Her hair gleams in the light, and her skin really does glow in a supernatural way. “So what’s new with you? Are you really going to make me pee on a stick to prove this point?” She leans back, and her belly steals the spotlight onceagain.
“No, actually, I mean, I thought about it.” My face heats ten times hotter than a brushfire. “I mean, you could, but I guess the visual evidence speaks for itself. I think everyone out there will get the point right off thebat.”
She leans in, her eyes slit to nothing as she inspects me. “Are you ready to talk about why you really bought thattest?”
My mouth falls open. A laugh gets jumbled in my throat, and then just like that, a river of tears flows from me. My body goes numb with shock, and I can’t get a word to move past that baby rattle forming in mythroat.
“Oh, honey!” Izzy does her best to traverse the table, and we engage in an awkward hug. Her hard belly rubs against my arm, and I’m mildly alarmed by how much it feels like concrete. My God, she’s going to give birth to a cinder block. She flops back in her seat with tears brimming in her own eyes. “I saw that look of fear on your face.” She shakes her head with a look that pleads for me to understand she’s on my side, and I really do feel that way. “I mean, I didn’t see it live. I sort of stumbled on it the other day when I was thinking about the show. I thought I’d better take a look and see what I’m getting myself into before I waste your time. I’m not exactly photogenic at the moment.” She makes a face, looking ever so beautiful, and I can’t help but roll myeyes.
“You’re perfect, Izzy. I’m the beast around here. As soon as my brothers get wind of this, I’m a dead girl, too. My father’s pride might be bent out of shape, but I’m pretty sure he’ll send a nice gift when the time comes. If the timecomes.”
Her mouth falls open. “So, you’re not sure if you’re going to keepit?”
“I haven’t thought about anything really.” I jolt in my seat a moment. “I mean keeping it for myself. I’m not getting rid of it or anything. I’m pretty sure it’s happening, and I’m going to see it through come hell or well—more hell.” I drop my face in my hands a moment. “I just wish my mother was here, youknow?”
