Page 62 of After Care

“Uhm, you were there. I don’t think I need to spell it out, but I wanted you to know you have nothing to worry about.”

Silence followed a moment, and I chewed at my lip. Time had dragged since we’d parted and yet had strangely sped up. The days always seemed like they’d be long, and then I’d been so busy at work the time passed. The nights were unbearably strained, as I missed him too much. I didn’t wish to fight, but I was on edge about our relationship. Did we have a relationship?

“I told you I wasn’t worried.”

“You were,” I interjected, sharper than I intended.

Silence followed once more.

“You okay, darlin’?” I swiped at my growing hair. I’d gotten a cut to shape the growth, and I’d even purchased some new clothes, feeling different about myself after the vacation. But that day, I felt like my old self. A bit frumpy, a lot irritable, and just outright frustrated with life in general.

“Yeah,” I lied, letting my voice fall. “I didn’t sleep well last night.” That wasn’t true either. I usually felt drowsy the day before my period, and I’d fallen asleep early.

“Do you need anything?”

I chuckled without humor. As if he could do something, I thought. He’s in California. I hated my negativity, and hated myself for even starting this conversation. I needed to stop this. “Nope, I’ll be good in a few days. I’m at work, and I’m sorry if I woke you, but I can’t really talk. Talk later?”

I could practically see him chewing his lip, wanting to say more but respecting that I’d mentioned work.

“Okay, Edie.” He hung up, and I cringed at the use of my name. He only said it when he was upset or serious.

Hours passed and around three, the front receptionist called my desk. “You have a delivery.” My brows pinched. I never received packages, so I assumed she misspoke, meaning it was something for Max. I decided to take the three flights down to the front desk, stretching my legs that ached a little and twisting my back which ached a lot. I needed some ibuprofen.

Arriving at the desk, I found a beautiful display of red tulips and a plastic bag from the local pharmacy.

“So, where’s the delivery?” I asked, looking over the counter for a box or mailing envelope.

“It’s there,” Grace pointed, implying the bag and the flowers. “You got flowers and this bag.” She tapped the plastic with her pen. Opening the bag slowly, I found several items inside—chicken soup, a heating pad, a bottle of ibuprofen, a bottle of Midol, and a Kindle gift card.

“What the heck?” I laughed outright, pulling out the contents one at a time. I stared at the collection, and then reached for the card attached to the flowers.

I drew the line at tampons, darlin’. Hope you feel better soon.

I laughed harder as tears sprang to my eyes. My heart raced and I hugged the small card and envelope to my chest. I gathered my things while Grace wiggled a brow at me.

Walking back to the executive office, I set the flowers on the corner of my desk as Max came out of his office.

“What’s this?” he asked. “Special occasion.”

“Not exactly,” I said, staring at the red collection of spring flowers.

“Got a boyfriend?” he asked teasingly in a sing-song voice, like a school boy.

Did I? I thought. I didn’t know how to answer that. Tommy wasn’t a boy, and he was more than a friend. Were we simply long-distance lovers? I didn’t know.

“Just a…” I couldn’t speak. I felt Max’s eyes on me, so I swallowed and added. “A friend.”

The lie made me feel cheap.

Adding to my poor day, minutes before the work day ended, Ivy called me. I decided to take it, worried that something was wrong as she typically didn’t call me during the days.

“Hey, honey,” I started. Ivy’s voice choked on the other end of the phone. “Ivy, what’s the matter?” My heart raced, and I instantly thought of Tommy, worried something had happened to him.

“I’m pregnant,” she blurted, and tears echoed through the phone.

+ + +

Ivy and I spoke for nearly an hour while I sat at my desk despite my colleagues leaving the office.