“There is a barbecue at the construction company’s yard; we’ll be expecting you… and your woman,” Mathews said. There it was: the order. Mathews smiled coldly and turned away. “You’re dismissed.”
Shit.
Chapter Three.
Jody – May 2008.
There was a problem with Magic. Maybe ‘wrong’ was the incorrect word, but something was definitely bothering him. Ever since the last run, he’d been quiet. I’d visited the building site yesterday, and Magic had been off. I had planned to visit today, but I couldn’t stop puking my guts up. We had food delivered last night, and it must have been bad.
“Are you okay?” Aster demanded, banging on the toilet door.
“Aster, give me some privacy,” I called, and then heaved again.
“Not happening. How drunk did you get, girl?”
“This is a dodgy takeout.”
“That or you’re pregnant.” The words fell into a dead silence. “Jody… are you freaking knocked up?” Aster squealed.
“No! Behave! I’m twenty-one, for God’s sake, too young to be a mother yet. Magic and I haven’t even discussed kids,” I replied and sat back weakly.
“Boo, you’re twenty-two in two months, so be quiet. If this carries on for a week, we’re buying a pregnancy test.”
“Aster, shut up,” I snapped as the mere thought made my stomach heave.
???
“Pee on the damn stick!” Aster ordered through the door.
“Do you have any idea how much pressure you’re placing me under?” I growled.
Trying to piss on this while Aster shouted what she believed were helpful encouragements was completely off-putting. Worse, we were doing this in college because I couldn’t stand the thought of doing this at home, where Magic might catch me.
“Jody, don’t force me to come in. Pee on the stick!” Aster ordered.
“What the fuck?” someone gasped, entering the toilets.
“Get lost!” Aster shouted. “This is a personal emergency time.”
“I’d say so if Jody’s pissing on a stick. Do the test, Jody.” A girl in my class joined Aster in banging loudly.
“Get out!” I shrieked. “I can’t do this with witnesses. Aster, I’ll text you when I’m done.”
Aster grumbled and complained, but thankfully, they left. Thank God. A minute later, my bladder stopped being shy, and I peed. No sooner than I had, the door banged open and Aster’s boots clunked in.
“How long?” she asked. Christ, had Aster pressed an ear to the door, listening? That was mildly disturbing.
“You got a fuckin’ camera in here filming?”
“No, Jody, you’re my ride or die. I know you.” That was freaking creepy. “Jody, stop trying to distract me. How long?”
“Four minutes.”
“Come out.”
I opened the door and walked out with the pee stick in a tissue. Aster rolled her eyes. “That won’t change the outcome.”
“It will delay it a few moments,” I murmured.
