AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I had spent the next few days lying around in my room like I was sick. I had still felt off anyway. Embarrassed, I refused to go to school on Monday. I’d heard nothing from Parker, despite repeatedly checking my cell. I wondered what I’d expected to happen. He’d told me where he was if I needed him; was I expecting text after text? Larissa had called, but I’d made a big deal out of still feeling sick because as sympathetic as she was, she was still high on being the Prom Queen and Jeff had suggested setting a wedding date later that same night. I could hardly tell her Parker had proposed to me; that would have been stealing my girl’s thunder. Anyway, as I’d said, it was true anyway. I felt weary like all I wanted to do was sleep. I had no appetite either; everything made me feel nauseous. I was love sick.
My mother had kept checking on me but had mostly left me alone. That was all about to change though as I woke from a nap to find her sitting in one of my purple velvet chairs.
“It’s time for us to talk about the future, darling.”
“Oh, mom.” I groaned. “I don’t want to.”
“You can’t pretend none of this has happened, Candy, and you need to make some decisions. You have a man going demented wondering whether or not you still want him.”
I turned to her. “What do you mean?”
“He’s called here several times a day but asked me not to tell you. He said he wanted you to make up your own mind with no influence from him, but I can’t sit here watching you check out of life, pining for him when he’s doing the same over you.”
I sat up. “He is?”
“Yes. Candy?” My mom paused. “Do you really love him? Do you see a future with him?”
I started to answer, but she held up a hand.
“With no pressure or influence from him, sweetheart, just from your own heart. We can be on a plane out of here this afternoon and go to a spa until you feel ready to face the world again.”
“I love him so much my heart is breaking,” I told her, and I started to sob.
My mom got to her feet. “Then get in that shower. Get yourself washed and breakfasted and then go and tell him that.” She said.
“What about Dad?” I asked.
“I’ve spoken to your father. He’s better or rather; he’s coming around, to the fact his little girl is not a little girl anymore. Just promise me one thing. That Parker did not start anything with you while you were underage.”
“I swear on my life, Mom, he didn’t, and I pursued him, Mom. I love him so much.” I swung my legs out of bed and went dizzy, reaching for the edge of the bed to steady myself. “You’re still not right are you?” My mother said. “Stay there while I go to get you something to eat.”
She returned fifteen minutes later with a tray, but there wasn’t only orange juice and a croissant on it. There was also a pregnancy test kit.
“I think you ought to do that.” She told me. “To be certain as to whether or not you truly have a virus, as I’m not so sure.”
Reassured by the test, having enjoyed my breakfast and showered and feeling fresh, I got in my car and drove to Parker’s apartment.
I rang the doorbell and waited.
The man who answered the door made my heart sink, and I wanted to cry. He was unshaven. Dark shadows looked like bruises underneath his bloodshot eyes.
“Candy.” He exclaimed. “Oh my God, you’re here. Come in.”
“I need to talk to you,” I told him, and I walked past him and sat down on his couch.
“Oh.” He said, his head bowed, and he pulled up a dining chair to sit across from me. “Come on.” He said. “Just say it. We’re breaking up right?”
“We’re pregnant,” I told him.
I thought he was going to fall off his seat.
“We’re what?”
“We’re pregnant. I have no idea how far along I am. I just did a test like an hour ago. And then another two because I couldn’t believe the results. But, yes, we’re pregnant.”
“And how do you feel about that?” Parker asked me tentatively.
“Well, let me see. I have the most handsome and sexy fiancé in the whole world, and now I’m having his baby. I think I feel pretty damn fantastic.” I told him. “Apart from occasionally feeling like I have the flu.”
