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“Don’t tell anyone,” I tease, leaning over and lightly elbowing her side.
She snorts and elbows me back, much harder. “Oh, don’t worry. I won’t.”
It feels good to laugh, in spite of the situation we’re in. “I’ll let you get some rest.” When I stand, I add, “Oh, the website also said to keep that stuff by your bed. When you wake, eat a few crackers and take some sips of the ginger ale.”
“Stop it or I might actually start to like you,” she mumbles, shaking her head and glancing down at the sleeve of crackers.
“Noted. I’ll lock the front door when I leave. Anything else?”
“No,” she replies. “Thanks again.”
With a wave, I slowly exit her bedroom, trying not to think of all the dirty things I did to her in this very room. Of course, that’s why we’re in this predicament, and that thought alone should be enough to stop the parade of memories, but it doesn’t. In fact, some primal caveman part of me I didn’t know I possessed roars to life at the thought of her carrying my baby. It’s arousing, honestly, but I’ll keep that to myself.
I walk into the kitchen and make sure everything she could need is ready to go and flip off the overhead light, but leaving the one over the sink on in case she gets up in the middle of the night. Finally, I head for the front, turning off the living room table lamp on my way by. At the door, I give her space one last glance, wishing I had a reason to stay. Part of me wants to crash on the couch in case she needs me, but I know she wouldn’t be a fan of that. While I like riling her up, I’m not looking to piss her off.
With a sigh, I flip the lock and make sure the door is closed and secured behind me. The sun has finally set and the streetlights are on. As I walk to my truck, I feel that sense of calm once more. I’m not freaking out the way I expected I would after finding out I was going to be a dad with a woman I wasn’t in a relationship with.
It’s Hallie.
Sweet, feisty, beautiful Hallie.
I can do this.
We can do this.
Together.
Hallie: I scheduled my doctor’s appointment. I go in 2 weeks.
It’s Monday, half past noon, and I’m behind the counter at the hardware store. I haven’t heard from her since she texted a quick thanks on Saturday morning, and I’ve been a little anxious since. She started school this morning, so I’ve been doing my best to respect her boundaries and not text her unnecessarily. That doesn’t mean I don’t think about her or wonder what she’s up to.
Me: 2 weeks? Why so long?
I mean, it’s Pine Village. It can’t take that long to get an appointment.
Hallie: They usually do the first appointment at 8 weeks.
Me: Ahh, okay.
Hallie: Do you want to go? It’s at 4 in Hudson.
Me: Yeah, I’ll be there. Want me to drive?
I pull up the schedule and make a note that I’ll be off that day at three thirty. It’s not often I leave before the end of the workday, but I have a good team here to keep the business going in my absence.
Hallie: Ok. I can meet you at the hardware store when I get off.
Me: Sounds good. How are you feeling?
Hallie: Not terrible, but not 100%. The crackers and ginger ale definitely seem to help.
Me: I’m glad. Have you had lunch?
Hallie: Just finished. Bland is the key right now. I had some applesauce and a peanut butter sandwich.
My stomach growls, as if on cue, reminding me I have yet to grab lunch myself.
Hallie: My afternoon class starts at one fifteen, so I tried to eat a little early. You know, just in case…
