Page 61 of Superficial Girl, Part 2: Jacinta's Story
“Oh, absolutely, and I am almost certain she is getting it from someone, but I can never see anyone coming and going from her room. I had my money on Parker McCallister, but the tension between them is still awkward.”
“Well, one mystery at a time. Once we sort this one out, we can turn our attention to Hope,” she says, then sighs. “I guess we should get out.”
“Fuck.” I focus on the weather outside. It’s mid-January, and it’s absolutely freezing. The wind is howling, and sleet is pelting against the windows as we climb out of the car and rush over to the door as quickly as pregnant Harlow can manage it. Thankfully, there’s a portico, so we’re sheltered from the inhospitable weather as I lift the huge door knocker and bang it against the wooden door a couple of times.
I stomp my feet and rub my gloved hands together as Harlow grumbles under her breath. “Someone better open this fucking door soon, or there’s going to be hell to pay.” She digs around in her pocket for the spare key Tom gave her. We wanted to give Maxine some control of the situation, so Tom advised us to let her have a chance to welcome us in first, but if she doesn’t answer, we’re using that key.
Finally, just when we’re about ready to handle it ourselves, the door opens. Standing in the doorway, outlined by the light behind her, is our friend Maxine who has been missing from our lives since September with no explanation as to why. She never even reached out about Harlow’s pregnancy.
She sighs when she sees us. “I was wondering how much longer I was going to get away with this. I guess you two better come in.”
“Well, shit has happened in our own fucking lives too, but you’d know that if you’d been around,” Harlow snaps, not pulling any punches, but her anger drains away when we step closer and the rest of Max’s body becomes easier to see. My mouth drops open in surprise, because our friend Max looks to be about six months pregnant.
“Oh, Maxy Max, I think you’ve got some splainin’ to do,” Harlow quips as we step into the warmth of the house and close the door behind us, locking out the freezing weather.
She sighs. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
With that, the three of us settle in the living room, ready to hear the story of how our family has yet another baby on the way.
