He chuckled before turning his focus on me, and when he spoke again, his voice was low. “I take it the appointment was better than expected?”
“Nope,” I replied then took a big swig of my drink like it actually was alcohol. “I just decided I wasn’t going to let this thing dictate my life. It’s something I have to get through. That’s it.”
Stormy put Trevor’s drink in front of him, and he promptly lifted it and clinked the glass against mine. “Cheers to that. Andnotbecause I think it shouldn’t bother you, but because I want to see you happy. You deserve that.”
Not for the first time today, I teared up, but hid it by looking away and taking another drink.
The guy I’d been talking to had moved on at Trevor’s appearance, which I was grateful for. I’d had a good time talking to him, but I really hadn’t wanted to have to explain that it had just been a conversation and not an invitation for something more.
Stormy brought me another drink, then Trevor and I ordered dinner. We talked and laughed a lot, yelled down the bar to otherpatrons, and before long, I was having such a good time I actually forgot about the appointment and the wristband and the fact that in just a week, I could be pregnant with a baby I didn’t want and wouldn’t keep.
Around six, Stormy popped up behind me and wrapped me in an in impromptu hug. With her lips close to my ear, she said, “Let me know if you need anything. Seriously. Okay?”
“Thanks,” I said, once again succumbing to my emotions.
I’d been coming here for years, and we’d talked a lot, but this was the first time we’d hugged and probably the only time we’d shared anything personal. It touched me more than I could say that she was putting herself out there, and not just because I needed it and had always liked her, but also because I’d started to think everyone was against me. Yes, there were anti-fertility activists and the AAFA, but most people supported The Fertility Act. They thought it was necessary, thought it was okay that my rights had been stripped away to make room for the human race. It was nice to know there were people on my side.
When she pulled away, Stormy kept her hand on my arm for a second, her gaze holding mine a little longer before she gave it a squeeze and turned and walked away.
When she was gone, Trevor lifted his eyebrows. “What was that about?”
“Just women supporting women.” I clinked my glass against his.
He smiled. “Nice to know there are some good people left.”
I snorted. “Some.”
We drank, talked more, and snacked for a little longer before Trevor stumbled off his stool. Looked like he would be sleeping over again. Not that I minded.
“Where are you going?” I asked as he made for the front door instead of the back – which was where the bathrooms were.
He put two fingers to his pursed lips, pantomiming smoking, and I rolled my eyes.
It wasn’t like I didn’t smoke every now and then when I was drinking. I did. But I wasn’t as bad as Trevor who thought a beerand a cigarette – organic, of course – went together. Still, it wasn’t like he had any other vices. The guy was a health nut and despite the drinking of the last couple days, he was pretty chill when it came to alcohol and usually limited himself to two. He was about as even-keel as a person could get, so I couldn’t really fault him for indulging in one secret love. Even if I couldn’t participate.
I slid off my stool. “Wait for me.”
“You?” Trevor’s expression was suddenly serious despite how drunk I knew he was. “Aren’t you…”
Instead of saying more, he gave my wristband a pointed look.
“I’m not going to smoke.” I looped my arm through his and pulled him toward the door. “I just don’t want to miss out.”
“Aw,” he said as we reached the door, “good old FOMO strikes again.”
“It’s a pandemic,” I said, then winked and laughed because no one joked about that shit. It was up there with the holocaust and September eleventh.
Trevor groaned. “You’re going to get cancelled.”
Again, I snorted. “Cancelled? What year is this?”
“Okay, okay.”
A cloud of smoke engulfed us when we stepped outside, but I was careful not to inhale it. The sun was low and blocked out by the buildings, and the sky was painted in shades of pink, purple, and orange. People milled about, talking and laughing, and a group was gathered just outside the door, each of them with cigarettes in their hands. They greeted us like old friends, which we practically were, and the nearest woman offered Trevor a light when he put his own cigarette to his lips.
I sat on the bench, Trevor and the other smokers standing over me. The air was cool, the town calm, and the evening relaxing, and despite the fact that I hadn’t had even a teaspoon of alcohol, I felt oddly calm. It was something I hadn’t expected considering I’d not only been dreading this day, but knew that in just a week, I could be pregnant, but it was nice. It erased some of my worries, made me hopeful that things would actually be okay after all. I would get through this.
All of that came to screeching halt when a low chime started up.
