"I don't know what to say."
"Just say you'll think about it," Danny urged.
"I can't imagine telling Mom and Dad that I got knocked up and there's no father. They'll kill me."
"No, they won't, but they won't be fun to live with. We know a thing or two about that," Brenda said dryly.
"I'll think about it, but, seriously, I don't want to be a third wheel."
"Okay." Brenda patted the back of my hand. "But we don't think of you that way, so let go of your own issues long enough to say yes."
I laughed. "I agree to think about it, but that's it."
"Good enough. Are you staying for dinner?"
I shook my head, and Brenda stood and went to the kitchen. "No, I have to get back home and get dinner started myself."
"Okay. See you tomorrow?" Brenda asked.
"Yes, I'm sure I'll come over. I get off work at three."
"Good." Brenda crossed back to me and hugged me.
"Bye, Danny," I said, releasing Brenda and hugging him. "You big tree."
"It's not my fault you're so short."
"Yeah, yeah."
Feeling lighter, I left and made my way back to my house. The cruiser was parked in the driveway, and I felt a now-familiar sinking feeling in my stomach at the idea of facing my father. I was paranoid my parents could sense my pregnancy, or somehow see the truth on my face.
But of course they couldn't, and dinner was just as boring as ever. I retreated to my room as soon as the dishes were done, feeling bone tired. Dropping onto my bed, I stared at the scuffed wood floors. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life within these four walls, and I didn't want to raise a baby under my parents' roof. I still didn't know what to do about telling them. If they judged me the way they did Brianna Hernandez when her boyfriend got her pregnant and then panicked and bailed, I wouldn't be able to deal with it.
My head began to pound as I contemplated the fallout from telling them. They wouldn't be supportive, they'd be judgmental. They'd tell me to give the baby up for adoption, and I couldn't do that. It would be a part of me and a part of Burke, and I loved it already. Whatever happened, I planned on cherishing the life growing inside me. I’d have a reminder of the best week of my life, and that was worth the pain and humiliation of Burke leaving me to raise the baby alone.
I didn't see how I could live with Danny and Brenda. That was a step too far. But I did think I would find a place of my own to move into, and I would start a new life for myself and my baby. I would be strong and stand up to my parents, telling them I couldn't be their live-in housekeeper anymore.
Oh, who was I fooling? I didn't think I had it in me to speak up and tell them anything. Maybe I would wait until I was showing and just let them figure it out for themselves.
With a groan, I dropped my head into my hands. I wouldn’t do any of those things, but I had to make a decision soon about what I would do. The clock was ticking.
8
Kinsley
The following week, I heard new gossip; Burke's parents were back in town to settle the estate of Mr. Gallagher's mother. I spent the days following that bit of news in a state of utter panic, wondering if Burke would come with them or not. He hadn't returned my phone call, and I couldn't even say it surprised me. But I had to find a way to let him know he would be a father, and telling him over voicemail would be my last resort. I didn’t know what I expected from him, but I felt he had the right to know about the existence of his baby.
With clammy hands and a rolling stomach, I carefully navigated the wet streets of Chester in the direction of the fancy house the Gallagher family had owned for decades. They'd lived there while the children attended Chester High, and then they'd uprooted to Boston at the same time Burke left Chester. They kept the house, just as Burke kept one of his own, for the times they visited. The senior Gallaghers came to Chester more frequently than Burke or Anna, mostly because Mrs. Gallagher still had friends there.
I almost missed the turnoff for their driveway; it was buried between huge hemlocks and surrounded by ferns. I clearly remembered the time I'd received an invitation to Anna Gallagher's thirteenth birthday party. All the girls from our grade level were invited, and I felt special for a few hours. Anna and I didn't get much time together, though. The party was planned down to the minute with games, catering, and a party planner to usher everyone around.
When I reached the massive house, I took a moment to stare up at the façade. Wood and glass blended together seamlessly, giving off an intimidating air of wealth. Without the benefit of Anna and her party planner ushering me inside, the house felt more like a clinical, commercial property lacking any warmth within. With a resigned sigh, I pushed my car door open and got out.
My hands shook as I lifted one to press the doorbell. Some classical song I didn't know pealed throughout the house, and I stood waiting on the front porch with my hands clasped tightly in front of me.
A young woman I didn't recognize answered the door dressed in a knee-length black skirt and white blouse. "May I help you?"
"Yes." I cleared my throat and tried to speak up. "Is Mrs. Gallagher home?"
