Page 10 of Diamonds in the Dark
Overwhelmed by his words, I smile and tell him.” Yeah, I know what you mean. Maybe we can do this again sometime Asher, I really enjoyed it as well.”
He shakes his head a little and that sexy grin is back. “How about tomorrow?” He asks. Before I even know I am answering him I agree to doing it again tomorrow.
Chapter 10
Gwen
I pull into the restaurant parking lot, which is full. At last, I find a parking space in the very back of the lot, just my luck when I am already late enough as it is. I grab my purse from the back seat and race to the front door. I cannot believe I lost track of time like that and almost stood up Becca. I tell the hostess that my friend is already seated, while receiving vile glances from the people standing around waiting on a table. This place is always packed for lunch and dinner, and the wait can be a little ridiculous. Becca is always thinking ahead and calls before we come to reserve a table, so we rarely ever have to wait. The hostess asks me for my friend's name. I tell her, she nods and takes me away from the irritated people to the table where Becca is waiting for me.
Becca stands up and gives me a big bear hug. “Hey, girly. I thought for a second you were not going to come.”
I apologize to her. “I am so sorry. After you called this morning, I decided I had time to run by Mom's grave and I lost all track of time.”
She looks at me with sympathy in her eyes. She knows how hard it was on me and my dad, losing Mom. It was hard on her too. She loved my mom. I feel a little twinge of guilt knowing that while I did go to the cemetery, I spent the morning with Asher. I am not ready to tell her all that. I would like to keep him to myself for a while.
“Of course, I forgive you, it’s not a big deal. But I have to ask…How are you managing things? You look a little pale. Are you eating well?” I smile, this is so typical of Becca. Sometimes she cares a little too much. She's like a momma hen.
“Yes, I am eating okay most of the time and I am actually handling things a little better than I thought I would,” I answer honestly. Wanting to change the subject quickly, I change the conversation to her.
“What’s new in your life Becker Boo?” We really didn't talk much Monday when she came to help me get my things from Edwards. Once I filled her in on what had happened with Edward, we just did what needed to be done to get me out of his house. She smiles at the use of her nickname I gave her years ago.
“Not much, same as usual. Me and Tommy are still together with no ring or wedding date in sight. Mom and Dad are doing great. They are thinking about moving to Florida full time, but who can blame them? I would go now if I could! Other than that stuff, that’s pretty much it. Welcome to my tragically dull life,” she laughs.
Tommy and Becca have been a couple for what seems like forever. They were together before I met Edward. Tommy has never popped the question though and that irritates Becca. I think sometimes Tommy forgets that they aren’t already married. I wish they would just move on with it though. But it's not my circus and not my monkeys. They will figure it out one day, and until that day comes, I will just listen to her complain about it. It doesn't bother me.
I love Becca and Tommy both to death. They have been with me through so much and I could never repay them for everything they have done for me. When my mom passed away, Becca spent a week with me being my shoulder to cry on. She stayed with me day and night. Tommy brought us take-out food every single night that week and would stay and watch a movie with us, then head home and leave me and Becca to our girl time. Through all the ups and downs with Edward over the years, Becca and Tommy have always been there to listen. They tried to keep their two cents to themselves as much as they could, being that neither one of them care for Edward. They have never acted like it bothers them to give up their own time for me or for anyone else who may need them. Who could ask for better friends?
Edward avoided me as much as possible during the time right after Mom died. He claimed he didn't know how to handle someone who was grieving, and he just felt like he was in the way, so he just stayed away. I should have realized then; he had no compassion for anyone. I did not need him to do anything for me. I needed him to just be there, but of course he wasn't. Thank God for Becca and Tommy.
We order our food. I order a ham and turkey sandwich on rye, toasted, and a side salad. Becca orders a large platter of spaghetti with cheese bread.
“Wow, Becca, carbohydrate overload, chick. I am not used to seeing you order like that,” I say. Becca always eats light to “watch her waist,” as she always tells me. Honestly, I think it’s all in her head. She has a perfect figure, unlike me, who is curvy, way too curvy for my own liking.
“Well, I am super hungry today,” she says with a slight wink at me.
“Oh, whoa, wait a minute… there is something behind that sassy little wink of yours that you are not telling me. I see it in your eyes. Fess up ol’ girl,” I say.
“Okay, okay!” she laughs. “I was going to wait until after we were finished with our meal, but I am about to burst, wanting to tell you anyway. For the past month, I have been getting sick nearly every time I eat but I am always starving. I have lost about six pounds, but through it all, I have never felt bad like having a virus or anything like that. I started going to bed earlier and earlier each night and wanting to sleep longer hours. Tommy and I, at this point, started to get a little concerned. Tommy finally was able to talk me into going to the doctor. You know all too well how stubborn I can be about doctors. Well, Monday morning before you called me, we went to a walk-in clinic and they were asking me all these questions about my health, you know the usual medical questions that always make you squirm a little. I thought maybe I was having gallbladder problems or something similar to that. My mom had to have her gallbladder removed when she was in her twenties, so I thought I might be having problems as well. I had done some research online about my symptoms, but nothing I found even remotely sounded right to me. Anyway, they started with the basic test and that was all it took. Within a few minutes a doctor came in. I was given a clean bill of health and a bottle of prenatal vitamins. The doctor informed us we are going to be parents! Gwen, can you believe it?!” Her smile spreads across her face from ear to ear, and a glow touches her face that reminds me of the northern lights.
I am in shock and at a loss for words. It’s quite possible my mouth is hanging wide open at this point as well. I am thrilled for them!
“Becca, WOW! I am so happy for you all! Oh my Gosh, I am going to be an aunt! I am going to spoil it rotten, just to give you a little heads up. But you should have told me Monday when you were helping me move my stuff! You should not have been carrying all those boxes!” I hiss at her.
Laughing, Becca says. “Oh honey, I already know you will have it wrapped around your finger.” Her joy is infectious.
“I know I am already in love with this little one, and it's not even here yet! As far as helping you Monday, that didn’t hurt me one bit, nothing was too heavy, and I was just glad you were finally leaving the prick,” she says, still glowing.
“So, how far along are you?” I ask.
Becca, still smiling in pure bliss replies, “Precisely nine weeks.”
“How is Tommy taking it?” I pretty much know he's probably over the moon happy, but I have to ask.
“Oh, he is on cloud nine! He cannot wait to be a dad. He said he didn't even know he wanted to be a dad until he heard we had made a little peanut as he calls it!” Becca laughs.
I am ecstatic. You would almost think I was the one having the baby with all the emotions that are running rampant through me.
“What do you want it to be? A boy or a girl?” I can't help asking.
