Page 40 of Bless My Heart

Luckily, she doesn’t mention Wes, so she must have not heard anything. She is the type of person who would immediately throw something like that in your face.

“Well, anyway,” she says as her eyes trail all over my office. “It’s the Dean’s birthday this weekend, so I need your share of the gift money.” Um, this is news to me.

“Oh. Ok. How much do you need?” She tells me the amount, which seems like a lot for someone I barely know, but I feel I have to give her the money. Knowing her, she would sign the card: From everyone except Hazel.

She quickly scurries out of my office after I Venmo her the money. That woman gets on my last nerve.

Now I’m going to just be on time for my class instead of early. Great.

Friday goes the same as Monday and Wednesday, with Wes showing up at my office right when my office hours start. Except this time, there isn’t anyone in line to ahead of him. That’s pretty typical for a Friday, especially for the Friday before Halloween.

“What are you doing for Halloween, Doc?” Wes asks when we’re done recapping the lecture.

“I’m going to go to Caroline’s house to go trick-or-treating with her and her kids.”

“You dressing up?”

“Um. No. I’ve got a shirt with a pumpkin on it, but that’s the most effort I’m putting into it.”

“Man, I didn’t realize you were such a party pooper,” he teases.

“Hey! Well, what are you dressing up as?”

“I’m going as the Joker.” He’s dressing up. That means he’s doing something. I mean, of course, he’s doing something. He’s young and attractive and has every right to go out on Halloween. But that doesn’t stop the sinking feeling from settling in my stomach.

“Oh? Are you having a party?” Why am I asking? I swear, I must like torturing myself. What if he tells me he’s having a party at his house? That’s easy access to take someone to his room. And even if he goes out, I know firsthand he’s not shy about doing things in public places.

“Nah, Ozzy is fighting at Jim’s. I never miss one of his fights. I’ve got to be in his corner, you know?” I like that Wes is so dedicated to his friend. And it means that he’ll be focused on things besides other women dressed in teeny tiny costumes. “Everyone is dressing up. Stella is really excited about it, so I figured I’d humor her.”

“That’s nice of you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll send you a picture of the finished outfit.” He winks at me and stands to grab his things. “Have a good weekend, baby girl. Try not to think of me too much.”

He walks out of my office, and for the first time, I want to follow him. I want to run into his arms and have him hug me. I want him to take me to his silly Halloween thing. I want it all from him. The pregnancy hormones are coming in hard right now.

But, I check myself. I can’t do that. I have to be strong. I have to remind myself I’m doing what’s best for Wes and me.

That’s why a girl’s night is just what I need, and what a better girl’s night than Halloween.

I grab my good ole pumpkin shirt from the back of my drawer and toss it into the dryer to get the wrinkles out. I don’t want to look like a sloppy pumpkin.

Once I’m ready, I pick Lexi up. She went all out in a catsuit. She even has whiskers drawn on her face.

“You’re the hottest cat I’ve ever seen,” I tell her as she gets down in my passenger seat.

“Thanks. Was this the best you could come up with?” She asks, taking in my slightly less wrinkled shirt.

“Hey! This is my trusty Halloween shirt. I wear it every year,” I tell her, trying to defend myself.

“Yeah, I know.” Oh, whatever. Halloween isn’t my thing. At least I made some sort of effort.

We get to Caroline’s house right as the sun is setting. Perfect trick-or-treating time. Caroline and her family are dressed up as characters from The Little Mermaid. Caroline is Ursula, her husband is Prince Eric, her daughter is Ariel, and their almost a year old son is dressed as Sebastian. They are the cutest little family, and I love that they took the theme to the extreme.

I will admit that it makes my heart sink a little seeing Caroline so happy with her family. Will I ever have that with my baby? Will Wes be around for things like this with our baby? Will we dress up in ridiculous family costumes? Of course, he won’t if I keep pushing him away, even if I have a good reason for it.

These thoughts run through my head, but I keep a smile plastered on my face. I want to be happy for my friend. I am happy for my friend. Just maybe a little sad for myself, too.

After hitting the first few houses for candy, Caroline and Lexi fall into stride with me on the sidewalk.