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She hasn’t been feeling great, but there’s a bug going aroundDirty Hoes.
I slip the burgers off of the grill when I hear Delia yell “What do you mean? That’s impossible!”
I set the plate on the kitchen table, the one we’ve had since I was a child, chipped and yet perfect, and head into the living room.
Dad’s eyes are wide, and he motions with his head to his office, holding up fingers indicating she’s on the phone.
I peek my head in and I see her crying.
Shit.
I decide to just let myself in. Her back rocks with sobs. I touch her and she jumps. “Sorry, sweetheart.”
The person on the other end of the phone says something about an appointment and Delia accepts.
“Thank you. Yes, yes, my boyfriend is here. It’ll be okay.” She hangs up but stays turned away from me.
Boyfriend. I hate that word. I’m a man, but manfriend sounds even worse. I want to be more.
I wrap my arms around her as she turns to face me. “What’s wrong?”
She keeps her head down and she bites her lip. “I don’t think anything, but you might.”
“Huh? What’s that mean?”
She finally raises her head and I wipe the trail of tears from her eyes. “That was the doctor’s office.”
“Oh…you okay?”
“My test results came back.”
“And?” I don’t know why she’s pulling out the information, but I need to know what we’re dealing with. We can face anything together. I believe in that.
“And I’m pregnant, Joel.”
It’s like the world screeches to a halt. All I hear is the beating of my heart in my ears.Thumpity-thump. Thumpity-thump. Thumpity…thump.
“Joel?” Her cool hand presses into my cheek. “Are you okay?”
“How?” I ask and instantly regret it. “I know how, but…I thought…”
She chuckles. “I guess you gave me a lot more.” Her hands press into my chest and I shake from my disbelief. “Are you really okay?”
I grab her hands and step back. Her face falls and I can see she thinks that this isn’t going to go the way she wants it to.
It’s going to go even better, sweetheart.
I reach into my pocket, taking way too much time to fumble the ring out, then fall to my knee.
Now her lips have turned inward, and her eyes are watering.
“Joel?” Her hand shakes as I grab it.
I look to my left and Mom and Dad are in the doorway. They knew what was going to happen, just not when. Mom’s eyes are red and glossed over and Dad gives me the nod.
I got this.
“Delia Billingsley, I love you. I was in awe of you back in high school and I’m even more in awe of you right now. You’re having our baby and—”
