Page 125 of Time To Learn

25

Laura

“So, Trish,”I start as we’re sitting alone in the library later that night, “you sounded so cryptic on the phone yesterday. What do you want to talk with me about?”

When we were young, the library was our place. Many of my childhood memories with Trish happened righthere.

I frown at my friend as she starts to fidget in her seat, my glass of white wine raised halfway to my mouth.

“What’s wrong? I’ve never seen you this nervous before.”

“I’m just not sure where to start,” she mumbles as she takes a sip from her glass of water.

I choose my words carefully as I place my drink down on the small table next to my seat and get up. Once I’ve reached her side, I kneel down in front of her and take herhand.

“How far along areyou?”

Her head snaps up and I glance at her stomach.

“Remember, I’ve been where you are, honey. I know all the signs. Plus, the fact you’ve had nothing but water since you got here speaks volumes.”

“Laura…”

Her lips tremble as I smile softly ather.

“Come on, talk to me, please.”

She bursts into tears.

“I don’t know what todo.”

I push up on my knees and hug her to me, rubbing her back in soothing circles as I try to ease her anxiety.

“Have you taken atest?”

She nods against my shoulder.

“Okay,” I try again, “how many tests have you taken?”

She sniffles harder.

“Three.”

“Then I think it’s safe to say that you need to get an appointment with your doctor and find out how far along you are,” I whisper and sit back slowly.

I wipe the tears away from her cheeks, and we sit quietly for sometime.

“I don’t know if I want it,” she whispersthen.

The uncertainty I see in her eyes reminds me of how I felt when I learned I was pregnant with Ailith.

“Whatever you decide, I’ll be by your side, sweetie. I promise. Do you hearme?”

She nods slowly as she takes a shaky breath.

Time to ask the next difficult question.

“Who’s the father, Trish?”