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“You didn’t realize you were late?”

“No, Nora. I’ve been so busy, it was the last thing on my mind. The nursing program is kicking my ass this year.” My eyes land on the stack of textbooks sitting on my nightstand. “I’m so close to being done and then I get pregnant.” I turn back to face her. “I’m such a screw-up.”

She shakes her head. “No, you’re not, Lennon. Life happens…”

Disappointment radiates from the center of my chest. “I just feel like I’m incapable of doing anything right.”

Nora tilts her head at me. “What makes you think that?”

“Come on, Nora. I pick the wrong men, I can never make a decision about what I want, and now that I finally have, it’s like the universe is proving to me that I’m not allowed to have anything be easy, even though I’m working my ass off to try to create a life that I can be proud of.”

Nora grabs my hand, stroking her thumb over the top of it. “I never knew you felt this way.”

“Well, it’s not like I want to admit that I doubt myself on a day-to-day basis.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve never thought of you that way. In fact, I’ve always admired you because you’ve never been afraid to take chances or make mistakes.”

Her words catch me off guard. “What?”

“Yeah. You didn’t make choices for your life because it was what someone else wanted for you or what they thought was best. You were determined to try new things, and you always seemed so brave about it.” There’s a soft smile on her face as she shrugs. “I guess you were really good at making me believe that because I never would have thought this is how you felt.”

Another tear slides down my cheek as I pull my little sister in for a hug. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that, Nora. Thank you.”

She nods against my shoulder before we part. “And now, you’re going to continue to be brave and have this baby, and finish nursing school, and prove that you can overcome any obstacle because that’s who you are.”

“I’m going to try. I just don’t know what I’m going to do about all the medical bills that are going to pile up.” It’s the one detail that’s been in the back of my mind, and part of why I haven’t made a doctor’s appointment yet.

Having a baby is not cheap, and I don’t have two dimes to rub together right now.

And I know there’s public aid and assistance, but it’s not great. Plus, the thought of dealing with that on top of all of the other decisions I have to make right now is just making this that much more overwhelming.

“Yeah, that is an issue. You could pay outright for a policy then—”

“With what money?” I interject. “I haven’t been working consistently since I started the nursing program. Most of my money I had saved from this summer is to cover my tuition and bills, with little left over. I was considering taking out a student loan just to live off of until I finish, but now—”

I don’t get to finish my thought because the doorbell rings.

Nora and I both turn toward my bedroom door at the same time.

“Who on earth could that be this late?” she asks.

Mom’s muffled greeting carries upstairs.

“Easton? Oh my, it’s good to see you, kiddo,” Mom says, making me perk up on the bed.

Nora and I look right at each other. “Easton?” she whispers. “What the hell?”

We leap from my bed, exit my room, and make our way downstairs just in time to see Mom turn, surprised to see us both standing at the base of the stairs. “Lennon? Oh, you are home. And Nora’s here too.”

“Yeah, we were just talking in my room.” My eyes dart over to Easton, standing there in his dirty blue jeans, basic navy tee, and the black baseball cap that he was wearing earlier at Melvin’s.

But right now? He looks more like the boy from years ago who used to come over so we could drive out to the fields together to watch the fireflies.

Seems like a lifetime since the version of that boy has been in my life.

“Well, Easton is here to see you, sweetie.” Mom heads right toward me and Nora, kissing us both on the cheek before turning back to face Easton. “You’re lucky she’s actually here. I never know if she’ll come home most nights since she’s so busy with school and her social life.” Winking at me, she heads to the kitchen. “I’m going to make some tea. Why don’t you join me, Nora?”

“Um, sure, Mom.” My sister peers up at me, dropping her voice. “I want to know why the hell Easton is here.”