Page 84 of A New Chapter

Chapter 38

Emma’s eyes popped open at six o’clock the next morning, and she immediately remembered what she had to do. She shuffled into the bathroom, opened the test kit, and reread the instructions. Five minutes later, she sat on the edge of the tub, clutching the test stick in her trembling hand. Her heart pounded rapidly, and she broke out in a cold sweat. She considered taking the second test just to be sure, but she knew deep down that the first test was accurate. Plus, she could no longer deny the symptoms she’d been having for the past several days.

Emma wished that she felt elated about the news, but at that moment, she felt overwhelmed, scared, and alone. What will Zack think? He already has Gracie. It’s bad timing. How could I have let this happen?

Emma ran through her list of options. She wasn’t ready to tell Zack, Kelly, or her parents, but she desperately needed to talk to someone. She glanced down at her phone, and it struck her: Phil. He was close enough to her to understand, but far enough removed from the situation to be objective. In fact, he had no idea that she and Zack were dating, unless…

“Yes, Em. Zack mentioned that you two were dating,” Phil said an hour later, when Emma had awakened him with her phone call.

“What? When?”

“Right before Thanksgiving. I had sent him an email just to check in, and he mentioned that you two were seeing each other.”

“Funny, he didn’t mention that to me,” Emma said, clearly exasperated.

“What are you going to do, Em?”

“I honestly don’t know. I’m supposed to see Zack tonight, but I can’t. I need some time to process this.”

“You’re going to have to tell him sometime.”

“And I will, but I just need a few days. I need to get my thoughts in order.”

“I have an idea.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

“Come down here for the weekend. I’m sure you’d be able to find some last-minute flight deal, and we’d love to see you.”

“And I already told Zack that you and Debbie had invited me down… it’s perfect!”

“Why don’t you check on flights and then let me know once you’ve figured it out,” Phil said, suppressing a yawn.

“Thanks, Phil. Sorry I woke you.”

Now that Emma had a plan, she was anxious to execute it. She made her flight reservations and then dialed Kelly. It was eight o’clock, and she was fairly certain that her friend would be up.

Wrongo!

“What happened? Who died?” Kelly answered groggily.

“Nobody died. Why are you still sleeping?”

“Well, I’m not sleeping anymore!”

“Sorry. I thought you’d be getting ready for work.”

“We don’t open until ten. I still have two hours.”

Suddenly it struck Emma why Kelly might still be in bed. “Did you stay out late with Damian last night?”

“Maybe,” Kelly answered, lowering her voice.

“Oh… my… God. He’s there right now, isn’t he?”

“Maybe,” Kelly repeated, whispering this time.

“Ok, listen Kell. I need you to do me a huge favor, and you can’t tell anyone, ok?”