“How did it happen?” Sue asked. “Don’t you guys use protection?”
“I’m on the pill,” Naya said. “But you know how, like, there’s the sugar pills in the packet that you don’t have to take? I guess I got those mixed up with the other ones, and maybe my cycle was off, and something happened…”
“It’s OK,” I said, “let’s calm down and be strategic here. Does Will know?”
Naya shook her head. “He’s gone, he went to see Ross again. He won’t be back till later. I was so excited, it’s our anniversary, you know, and we’ve got a reservation at this fancy restaurant tonight…”
“Look on the bright side. Now you don’t have to wonder what present to get him,” Sue joked. It was irritating, and I tried to cover up for her by encouraging Naya. “Seriously, though. You need to tell him. You should go to the dinner and tell him there. He’ll be in a good mood, and a restaurant is neutral ground where you guys can really talk.”
“Are you crazy?” Naya cried. “Then what? I just tell him he’s got no choice but to be a dad and I hope he’s happy about it? He’s going to hate me!”
“Will would never hate you,” I told her, “especially not over this.”
“She’s right.” At last, Sue had said something sensible.
“Either way,” Naya replied, “there’s a baby inside me now and it’s going to ruin everything we’ve ever planned.”
I frowned. “My sister had her kid when she was way younger than you, and she’s always said it was the best thing that ever happened to her. My parents got married when they were twenty. I understand those were other times, but maybe people back then weren’t wrong about everything.”
“You don’t have to keep it,” Sue said. “I know that’s not easy to talk about, but you do have options. I’d at least get some counseling and think it over before you decide. But then, you know me, I’ve got about the same maternal instincts as Cruella de Vil.”
Finally pulling herself together, Naya admitted, “I don’t think I could do that. I’ve always loved kids. I’ve always wanted them. And I never wanted to be one of those people who waited until they were in their thirties. At the same time, though, I didn’t think it would be this fast. I haven’t even graduated. I guess at least Will’s almost done with school, but still…”
“Naya, you don’t have to decide today,” I told her. “Just talk to Will tonight, and then tomorrow, when you’re calmer, the two of you can go to your gynecologist.”
“Yeah,” Sue added. “I’m sure a doctor will have better advice for you than we can give.”
That seemed to cheer Naya up a bit. She had been hugging her knees. Now she stretched out, grabbed the positive pregnancy tests, stood up, and looked at herself in the living room mirror. “Jesus,” she said, “I look like hell. Why didn’t either of you tell me?”
“I thought it was on purpose, to make us feel sorrier for you,” Sue said, and I elbowed her in the ribs as she laughed maliciously.
“This is a nightmare!” Naya screeched.
“It’s not,” I told her. “Sit down. I’m going to put on some music, and you relax. You’re lucky you’re in the hands of your own personal stylists this evening, and I can assure you, we’re two of the best in the world…”
“Two?!” Sue protested. Then, when she saw my face, she said, “Whatever. Yeah, two…”
14
The Sixties Joint
I was fidgeting, and Will was next to me driving, looking highly amused.
“You all right?” he asked.
“Yeah, of course. Perfect. Just kind of wondering whether Jack will be happy to see me.”
“Well, keeping in mind he was the one who wanted you to come…so I’d say yes.”
Jack had been in rehab for two and a half months. This visit had to be a step forward for him, because a few weeks before, he’d kept insisting he needed space and time to think every time I brought the subject up. He finally told me one day he’d put me on the visitors’ list, and I was over the moon, but I’d been so busy with exams that I’d had to put it off until now. It felt almost like I was meeting him again for the first time.
Will dropped me off at the entrance. I was nervous as I turned and waved goodbye to him. I hurried up the path, and almost as soon as I opened the door, an employee came to greet me. I was glad. If I’d had to wait too long in the vestibule, I’d probably have had a heart attack.
Still, the wait wasn’t over. I was taken to a hallway with plastic seats, yellow walls, and a white linoleum floor. It was depressing the way hospitals always are, and looked nothing like any of the photos I’d seen in thebrochure. I was wearing a sleeveless shirt and was self-conscious because I was sweating. It was hot for May. Or maybe it was my nerves. Or maybe both.
I heard steps approaching and looked up. The man who had brought me there was now returning, with Jack a few steps behind him. I stood, full of anticipation.
Jack had put on a little weight, but he was pale. His hair was cut neatly, and he was dressed like a jock in knee-length shorts and a grey zip-up sweatshirt. He had his hands tucked in his pockets. He smiled when he saw me, and in that moment, I learned all I needed to know: one, that he was fine, and two, that he hadn’t forgotten me.
