Page 29 of Just Like the Brontë Sisters

Chapter 17: Skylar

Sky,

Guess what?

I’M PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!

I bet you’re scratching your head right now, wondering if I’m cut out to be a mother. I wouldn’t blame you for that. But after I got over the initial shock, I realized that I really want this baby really bad. Mitch is super excited too. We couldn’t be happier.

Oh, BTW, don’t tell Mom and Dad.

You know Mom; she’d probably fly over here and try to convince me to come home. But I know what’s best for me and being here with Mitch is what’s best. He’s going to make an excellent dad.

Love you!!!!

-Jo Beth

I shut my laptop and shut my eyes. Jo Beth was pregnant. The news felt like waking up and looking outside on an unkind, sleety morning, knowing I’d spend my day all cold and wet. As it was, I should try to appreciate the orangey autumnal weather. It was still warm outside, yet in the mountains, September can burn out quickly. Soon enough it would be winter and I was silly to squander the opportunity for fresh air and sunshine. But on this beautiful Friday afternoon I sat inside, feeling flat and uninspired.

My freshman year at Vista College had begun. I’d gotten through orientation and the first week of classes. And while I was grateful for my athletic scholarship and to be living in Jo Beth’s condo, coming home to an empty silence every evening made my heart heavy. I knew it was unfair to blame Jo Beth for this. But instead of emailing her back, I got out Turn of the Screw, which was the first bit of reading required for my British Lit course.

I splayed out on the living room couch, my eyes creeping towards the window and its view of the Rockies. I would force myself to stay inside and read, but I cared little for the characters, Miles and Flora. Creepy children are such a literary cliché and even if Henry James was the first to use the device, it still seemed overrated. Besides, a confusing ending doesn’t add to a novel’s depth, just to its frustration level.

When I heard a knock, I dropped my book and jolted up, grateful for the distraction. I looked through the front door’s peephole to see Gavin standing there.

“Wanna go for a hike?” he said, the moment I opened the door.

“Yeah, okay, let me get my shoes.”

I went towards my front closet and he followed, letting himself inside. “How was your day?”

“Fine. Jo Beth is pregnant.”

I was turned away from him, searching for my Merrells, so I didn’t see his reaction but heard him say “Wow.”

“Yeah. Don’t tell my Mom.”

“Okay.” Gavin leaned against the wall in my entryway while I laced up. I saw him crease his brow and glance up at the ceiling, concentrating hard. “Is this good news?”

“What do you think?”

“That you’re worried?”

He rotated his head down and to the side, so that our gazes met. Somehow, his dark brown eyes voiced all the unspoken words between us. But I’d elaborate anyway. “She sounded way too chipper in her email,” I told him. “She’s trying too hard to be happy.”

“She’s probably really scared.”

“Yeah… I mean, she’s having Mitch’s baby, and she’ll be stuck up in Portillo, away from a hospital, away from her family and friends, except for Magda, who I can’t stand…”

“Why can’t you stand Magda?”

I finished tying my boot and stood up straight. “I don’t trust her. Jo Beth doesn’t trust her either. I think she only stays friends with her because of Mitch. The whole thing is just disturbing, so yeah, I’m definitely worried.”

He reached out his hand. “Then come with me,” he said. “Some fresh air and exercise will make you feel better.”

I felt a smile warm my face. “I want to climb up rocks.”

He smiled back. “Then we’ll climb up rocks.”