I shrug. “Not sure, but I think around summer time.”
“Who?”
“A woman named Samantha,” I tell him, failing to mention the conception occurred in a venue bathroom, during Natasha’s friend’s bachelorette party.
He smiles. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I, ah, would like to perform as much as possible to save some money, but there might be times I need an unexpected day off to take care of things.”
“Granted, just keep me informed, and don’t become a problem.”
“I might pause between contracts around the month of the birth if that’s alright with you.”
“You’ll be welcomed back with open arms, just so long as you avoid the ‘d’ word.”
I cock my head to the side. “Dick?”
He barks out a laugh. “Drama!”
“That makes more sense.”
“Anything else?”
“Do you mind keeping this quiet while I figure things out?”
“Sure thing.”
I exit the bus, glad to get that conversation out of the way. The other Hunks are finishing up workouts, each of them looking exhausted.
“Goddammit, I can’t believe we have a twofer tomorrow,” Jacek grumbles.
“It’s good money, and the lunch crowd is light.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re only scheduled to go on in the evening.”
“I’ll go on for you,” I offer, seizing the opportunity.
A look of relief washes over Jacek’s face. “Thanks, man. I owe you one.”
I doubt he’ll make it to the end of his contract with his attitude, but that just means that I’ll get to pick up more shifts. It’ll be exhausting, seeing as how we went from six shifts a week to eight, but the money will be good, and I’ll be able to provide for little droid in a way my father never provided for me.
It’s been so long since I’ve thought about him, mostly because the wound of his departure never fully healed.
I was six the last time I saw him. The classic run to the gas station for cigarettes. Never once did he call me or send my momma money.
That will never happen with my little droid.
“Line it up!” Carl shouts, indicating the night has begun.
I could dance in my sleep, which makes the night fly by as my mind wanders to the raven-haired beauty who I’ve all but married in my head, and when I’m done with the night, I’m delighted to see a text from my new obsession.
Samantha:I swear to God, if you put a giant baby in me, I’ll have your balls. The fact that your entire family is that tall is unreal.
It’s impossible not to smile at my girl’s wit. Something tells me she loathes weakness, so groveling is not the way I want to go.
With the stress she’s under, I bet she wouldn’t mind a laugh.
Toxic:If you didn’t want a giant, why did you maul me in the bathroom?
