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But Chloe won’t say, although there’s a definite sparkle in her eyes.
“He’s just special to me,” she says in a breezy tone. “Besides, I think I’m expecting, so this just isn’t a good time for visitors because I’m moody and emotional and everything a new mom would be. I’m sorry, Amy.”
“You’reexpecting!?!?” I gasp, sitting up on my bed. “Are you for real?”
She nods, tears of happiness brimming in her eyes.
“Yeah, we weren’t planning it and I haven’t even told Carl yet, but I’m so happy, Amy. A baby would be a dream. He or she would be a bundle of dirty diapers and smelly spit up, but a dream nonetheless.”
I laugh.
“Oh my god, Chloe, I’m so happy for you! You’re going to be a mama! Congrats!”
“I know, thanks,” my friend smiles back, rubbing her belly on-screen. “But in the meantime, Amy, what about you?”
“What about me?” I ask in a droll tone.
“Well, what are you going to do?” Chloe prods. “You can’t just let your parents run all over you like this.”
“I’m afraid they can,” I say. “Because I have no options.”
My friend thinks for a moment, chewing her lip.
“Well, at least clear your head. Take a break from it all.”
“What do you mean? By doing meditation? Or by vacationing in St. Tropez?” I ask in a sardonic voice. “You know I don’t have the money for a getaway, Chloe.”
My pretty friend nods, looking guilty again.
“Maybe not a fancy European vacation, but how about a quick hike?” she asks. “Just a few days where no one even knows you’re gone. I know you’ve always been outdoorsy, Amy, and you have all the right gear. This is perfect. It’s your chance to get away in order to commune with nature and forget the assholes that are Amity and Andrew.”
I pause.
“Yeah, a hike could be an option.”
Chloe nods.
“When did your parents say you have to get married again?”
“They didn’t say,” I reply in a heavy tone. “My so-called fiancé is still in rehab, remember? I guess whenever he gets out.”
“Okay!” Chloe perks up. “So take a week-long hike then. Or even two weeks. Just get lost in the woods and don’t think about your troubles. Sometimes, problems have a way of solving themselves when you do that. At least, in my experience, that can happen.”
I stare dolefully into the camera screen.
“I don’t think that’s going to occur in my case,” I say in a slow tone. “But you know what? A week-long hike sounds good. And you’re right, I already have all the equipment, so why not? It’s not like Andrew and Amity are going to miss me. Hell, if I disappeared off the face of the Earth, that’d be a dream come true for them. In fact, that’s kind of what they’re trying to do to me right now, come to think of it.”
“Don’t think about them,” Chloe says in a firm tone. “This is about you! Just go! Pack now, and leave because your parents are awful, Amy, and there’s no sense in spending even another night under their roof. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”
I merely sigh.
“No, it’s okay. Everyone’s family is different and mine just happens to be pretty terrible. Although maybe not as terrible as yours. I mean, at least Andrew and Amity aren’t in jail.”
Now, it’s Chloe’s turn to smile sardonically.
“Yeah, at least your parents weren’t trying to import opium into the United States,” she says. “I swear, Tom and Bertha are so insane.”
“Are they still practicing that religion they got into? You know, the cult?”
