Could Kara be pregnant?
“Of course,” I say, feeling stunned, confused, elated, and nervous all at once. “Come to my house around 3 p.m. Does that work for you?”
“Yes,” she says, still sounding gun-shy. “Thanks.”
“Okay,” I repeat. “See you then.”
I listen to her breathe for a moment, and then she clicks off.
What was that about? Is Kara pregnant? Is that what she’s going to tell me?
A thousand emotions rush through my heart. I’m stunned, but also elated that the beautiful blonde may be carrying my child. A baby! I never thought I’d be a father again, but maybe, just maybe, it’s in the cards.
Then I force myself to calm down. I don’t know what she’s going to say, and it’s too early to get my hopes up. Besides, why didn’t she say anything? I want her, and I want this child. I love Kara. Nothing would make me happier than to find out we’re having a baby together.
As I sit back down at the table, my heart pounding in my throat, Angie looks smug. “Everything okay?” she asks.
I remember, suddenly, when Angie told me that she was pregnant with Bailey. She hadn’t been feeling well for weeks, and we were suspicious, but didn’t have a confirmation yet. Finally, one morning, she stumbled out of the bathroom holding a pregnancy test.
“So?” I’d asked, feeling my heart beating insistently against my ribs.
She smiled, and showed me the test. Pregnant.
I gathered her into my arms and swung her around, before we fell to the bed and made love in a state of passionate bliss. I couldn’t believe that we were going to be parents. Every kind of emotion swirled through me. I was nervous, yes. Beyond nervous, even. My own upbringing had been unremarkable, and I was worried about somehow fucking up my kids. Still, Bailey ended up being the greatest blessing of my life.
Every step of Angela’s pregnancy was exciting. Even though we were already starting to get on each other’s nerves, I made myself look past it because of the coming baby. Every day made me feel more excited, more scared, and more proud. Even though our marriage didn’t last, I still wanted this child.
But this is different. Kara doesn’t get on my nerves. She doesn’t make me feel bad about myself, nor does she pry endlessly into my business. Instead, I love Kara. The blonde is a paragon of grace and beauty, and having a child with her would be a dream. If she’s really expecting, and if she wants me to be a part of her life again, then who knows what kind of happiness could be in store?
I snap back to the present moment.
“Everything is great,” I say, and I mean it. I don’t know what’s happening, but the very possibility of a child with Kara lights a flame of hope in my heart.
Angie arches a brow but doesn’t respond. “Check, please,” she says to the waiter. Then, she looks at me, and smiles with satisfaction.
Fact five: she’s always right.12KaraI stand alone in the darkness. Tendrils of shadow weave around me, spidery fingers threatening to wrap me in their grasp. I curl my arms around myself. It’s cold, and goosebumps stand on my skin.
Where am I?
I begin to walk. There doesn’t appear to be a right or wrong direction; everything is equally drenched in darkness. Panic simmers in the back of my mind, and I rest my hand protectively on my bulging belly. I’m alone. I don’t know where I am. And I need to be sure, as I always need to be sure, that my baby is safe.
Suddenly, I realize that I’m being watched. I whirl around but see nothing, no one. Still, the sensation persists. My breath comes in short, shallow gasps. I still have so many questions, and so few answers. Who is here with me? What do they want? Am I being followed?
I walk a little faster, and then a little faster still, until I realize that I am running, my feet soundlessly slapping the ground. Not even my gasping breath is audible. It’s as if I am underwater. Even more unsettled by the lack of noise, I keep running until I see a pale light burning in the distance.
I run and run and run towards the light, one hand still on my stomach, praying that the baby is okay. As the light grows larger, and I grow closer, and I realize that it’s coming from a lantern on a porch. Rick’s porch.
Rick! I scream, but no sound comes out.
I finally reach his house, and knowing that I am still being chased, I bang my hands against his door. My frantically pounding fists make no sound. I begin to cry, tears running down my cheeks, as I kick the door in frustration. Help me! I try to yell, although the words are inaudible in the darkness. Please, I need your help!