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“That’ll work. I will text you my address.”
As I approach the conference room, I can’t shake the feeling of nervousness and excitement. My head is a little out of the game now, thinking about meeting Sarah again. I can’t wait. I feel a little like a schoolgirl.
I get as far as the door to the conference room and I freeze, a feeling of unease eating at me. She said it was important. Important enough that it has to happen today. My excitement is turning into something else and it’s starting to consume my mind.
I’m not going to be able to focus on the meeting, not with this hanging over my head. I have to know what she has to say. I turn around and make my way back to the elevator without giving the meeting a second thought.
As I step out of the building, I pull out my phone and call Sarah. “Hey, so, I’m just going to come over right now, if that’s all right,” I say. This decision might have dreaded consequences—the meeting with Tricon Company might never happen again, but I can’t let it go. If there’s a chance with Sarah, any chance at all. I need to take it.
I send a quick text to Clark, telling him I have an emergency and to try to postpone the meeting. Hopefully, he’ll understand. He’s going to have to understand.
The next thing I do is get an Uber. As I wait those few minutes watching for the late model sedan to pull up, my heart is in my chest. I’ve gotta be out of my mind to walk away from this meeting. Out of my damn mind…
The Uber pulls up and we’re on our way. We inch our way through the city, the driver expertly navigating the crowded streets and honking at other drivers to make room for us. I watch the city pass by outside the window, the tall buildings and bright lights of the city a blur as we move. The hustle and bustle of the people is a constant background noise, the sound of chatter and laughter filling the air. Cars honk and buses rumble by. It all starts to slow down and it occurs to me that we’re going too slow.
I tell the driver to pull over and opt to walk instead. I make sure to pay him a big tip for his trouble. Once out of the car, I dash down the sidewalk the rest of the way. Sarah’s house is just a few blocks away at this point.
The city has been my home for many years. I love the many parks, which provide a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The lush green grass, the tall trees, and the lakes offer picturesque scenery, the perfect spot for a picnic, a walk, or just relaxing.
I rush through one on my way to Sarah’s.
Another 200 yards and I’m running up her apartment stairs, standing at her door, ringing the bell, and waiting. As each second passes, it feels like an eternity is expanding across the universe like an evil curse.
She opens her door finally. She looks beautiful, of course. Blue sparkling eyes, rosy cheeks, and a glow from within. Her dark hair is framed around her oval face.
But there’s something wrong. Her full lips are thin and the rims around her almond-shaped eyes are red. Has she been crying?
I swallow down my apprehension and enter her apartment. Her living room is cozy and bright from natural light. She directs me to the sunflower yellow couch and gestures for me to sit.
Without question, I sit down. She doesn’t choose to sit beside me but rather stands in front of me. My heart feels like I’d just run a marathon; it’s pumping so hard. She’s wringing her hands a little and standing a little unsteady. Whatever I thought this was about, I can see I was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.
“Well,” she says, her voice wavers a little. “I guess I better just get down to it.”
“What’s going on?” I ask. I’m now a little alarmed. “Are you in trouble or hurt—?”
“I’m pregnant,” she says quietly.
An electric charge runs through my body, giving me goosebumps all over. I’m stunned and silent.
She’spregnant?
I need a moment. There’s a second where I think maybe I heard her wrong. But she’s looking at me, her eyes full of trepidation. She’d spoken the words and now they’re out there, just hanging between us like a cloud.
I’ve been silent so long that I can see she’s getting even antsier by the second. “Are you going to say something?” she asks.
I don’t for a second. I feel like if I start talking, then it’ll be real. I stand up and start to pace, my hand in my hair. Finally, the words start to come. “Are…are you sure?” I ask.
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure.”
“I see.” I feel weak all of a sudden, so I sit back down on the couch. This time she sits next to me and puts her elegant hand in mine.
I’m going to be a father. Again. With Sarah as the mother. Unless she decides not to keep it.
“Say something, Jack,” she says softly.
“I, uh… Sorry, I guess I’m in shock.” I run a hand through my hair.
“Imagine being the one carrying the baby.” She gives me a small smile.
