We all get up, clapping, as Judy wipes her face and embraces her sister. I bring the champagne glass to my lips, but just before I can take a sip, my phone rings in my breast—literally never thought I’d say that in my entire life. I forgot to put it on silent.
The whole room scowls at me.
“Sorry,” I mouth. Plucking my phone out of my dress, I peek at the caller, just in case it’s important. No caller ID. I motion to Allie that I’ve got to take the call and slip out of the reception room. By the time I step into the entrance hall, I’ve already missed the call.
Luckily, a new voicemail pops onto my screen the next second. I dial my voicemail password and stick the phone to my ear.
“You have one new voicemail,” the automated voice informs me.
Beep.
Static.
A male’s voice.
“Hi, this message is for Winter Kingston. This is Dr. Reegan. I’m just calling to tell you about the results from the tests we ran last week.”
I’ve been feeling bleh for a week now, could barely keep anything down. My dad forced me to go to the doctor to run some tests.
I nibble at my bottom lip anxiously. What do I have? The flu? Some viral virus? A serious disease?
Am I going to die?
“I double-checked the results myself, and you couldn’t be in better health. You’re not sick at all.”
Thank God.
“What you are is pregnant.”
My vision goes blurry.
“Congratulations.”
End of voicemail.
My full champagne glass slides right out of my hands and crashes against the carpeted floor.
A piece of broken glass digs into my foot, but I don’t blink.
Did he just say…
Because it sounded liked he said…
I’m…
No, I can’t be. It’s impossible. I’ve always been safe. I’ve…
Memories knock my soul right out of my body.
Haze.
Me.
Against the door.
No condom.
Fuck.