Two pink stripes.
What does that mean?
I flip the box and read the directions.
Positive.
Holy fuck.
I shove the test stick and package in cardboard box with everything else and walk outside.
Once the landlord drives off, I balance the box across my gas tank and ride two blocks to the square in front of the Basilica and park.
I sit on a park bench with the box next to me and stare at the church.
I feel gut punched.
Leaning my elbows on my knees, I drop my head. I sit there for a long time, then call Bandit.
“Yeah. You okay?”
“No. You at the clubhouse?”
“Nah, me and Mauler came down to the garage to work on that damn Chevy that’s been givin’ us so much trouble. What’s up?”
“I need you, bro.”
His tone changes. “I’m coming. Where are you?”
It’s not ten minutes before I hear two Harleys roaring up. A minute later, I see their boots standing in front of me.
“Blue? My God, what is it?”
When I sit back against the bench, my eyes are glittering.
Mauler lowers to the seat next to me and puts a hand on my back, shaking me softly. “Talk, brother.”
“She’s pregnant.”
“Luisa?” Bandit frowns.
I nod.
“She tell you that?” he asks.
“I went to clean out what was salvageable from the house. I found the test in the bathroom.” I stare at the ground. “That night she said she had something she wanted to talk about. I figured it was something else. Never suspected this.”
“You’re gonna be a dad,” Mauler says, shaking me. “That’s great.”
“She’s marrying someone else, brother,” I snap.
“What? Who?” Bandit barks.
“Some kind of arranged bullshit. Guy named Mateo. Someone her family thinks is suitable.”
“So, what the fuck was she doing with you?”
I shake my head. “She said she loved me. The other day she showed up with his goddamn ring on her finger.”
