“I will, darlin’. Don’t you worry.”
I walkout the door and feel like I’ve just been plunked into someoneelse’s life. The last thing I want is to have a baby. The lastperson I want to have it with is Maverick. I barely know him. Idon’t even know if I like him.
…but sometimes God brings people into our lives withoutexplanation.
***
“Well, that’s not so bad.” Sloane comments, after I tell herwhat went down with Maverick. “Most men would make tire tracks andrun after being delivered that kind of news.”
“I almost wish that’s what happened.” I mutter. “Then it wouldmake my decision all that much easier.”
Shegives me a look. “Ellie, don’t be dramatic. At least you’re notdying or have a horrible life.”
“Well, I’m about to have one.” I bark.
“Please. Just let mom hear you say that.”
“Don’t even start with me on mom.”
“Well, you’ve got to start telling people some time.Preferably, before they guess, when your belly is sticking out likea goddamn beach ball.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’spregnant.”
“Well, that’s the risk we all take when we have sex,Ellie.”
“Gosh, you’re so helpful. You always know the exact thing tosay at the exact time.”
“Come on. It’s not so bad. Think of all the support you’regoing to have.”
“Yeah, but I’m the one who’s got to carry this thing for ninemonths. And I’m the one who’s got to push it out, too. I don’t seeanyone else offering to do that for me.”
Shesighs. “Ellie. Look. If you don’t want to keep the baby, thendon’t. Decide whether you want to adopt or abort and move on. It’syour decision. It’s your body.”
“Yeah, but then I have to live with it.”
“Well, we all have to live with our choices,Ellie.”
“Sure, but I’m used to making choices like…you know…whatstocks to buy and sell, what to wear, what paint color to selectfor my walls…things like that. I’m not used to making life alteringdecisions like this!”
“You made one not that long ago, Ellie.” She pointsout.
“Yeah? Which one was that!”
“Whether or not to leave your husband.”
Mynostrils are flaring. “Anything else you want to shove in myface?”
“I’m not shoving anything in your face. I was just pointingout that you’ve had to make tough decisions before. That’s all.”She lifts a hand. “Look. Maybe I should go. I’m obviously nothelping here.”
“Maybe you should.”
“Fine.”
Sloanerises off the couch and leaves abruptly, slamming the door in herwake. I stand by the door for who knows how long, feeling the tearsfall down my cheeks. As I rest my head on the door, weeping, I heara soft knock. Sliding my head over to the glass enclosure, I pullthe tiny band of drapery over and see that it’s Maverick on theother side. After swiftly wiping the tears off my face, I open thedoor.
“Hey.” He says. “Got a call from Sloane. She said you mightneed a friend.”
Why, Idon’t know, but his face is so inviting.
