Page 22 of Home Run

Jake eased the car to a stop and Radley pulled me into a hug,

“Call me if you need anything. Or we can wait here if you want?”

I smiled gratefully at her. “No, I’ll be okay. You go.”

“It’s weekly movie night tonight if you want to come over?”

“Thanks.”

I turned to the house, took another deep breath, and prepared myself for what was likely going to be one of the hardest conversations of my life.

Taking out my key, I let myself in. The place was silent, maybe she wasn’t here. I knew Doug would be at work, so maybe no one was here. I walked through the entrance and peered into the kitchen, it was too tidy for Matty to be up. Even Brinkley, our family golden retriever, hadn’t run out to greet me.

“Hey, Mom? Mom, where are you? Mom?”

Immediately, Brinkley appeared at the top of the stairs, a sock hanging from his mouth, followed closely by my mom, who removed it.

“Hi, sweetheart,” she began as she rummaged through her purse. “Where’ve you been? I didn’t hear you go out.”

“I’m fine, Mom.” I quirked a smile, pushingaway all the nerves. “Do you have a minute? I need to tell you something.”

“Can it wait, your brother just announced he has friends coming for the weekend and I need to head to the store.”

I held in the eye roll, I don’t know why Matty thought I was so incapable when he couldn’t even do a food shop. And Icouldwait until she got back, but then something else would come up. If I didn’t tell her now then I’d never do it.

“No, not really.”

“Can you come to the store and tell me on the way?”

“No, Mom, please. Just a minute.” I met her halfway up the stairs and took her hand, ignoring the confused look on her face as I pulled her into the living room.

She took a seat on the couch. “Okay.”

I stayed standing, I’d decided it would be easier if I was standing.

“Mom, I’m pregnant.”

Whatever my mom had been thinking about in that moment—likely my annoying brother and his friends—disappeared out of her brain. I saw it happen; her eyes went from slightly glazed over to precision focus.

“What did you say?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant? With a baby?”

My brows knotted slightly, was there any other way to be pregnant? “I mean…yes?”

She was eerily silent, but I knew it wouldn’t last. The air was already thick with the expectation of an imminent explosion.

“Pregnant? PREGNANT?” She jumped up, spunaround, and marched to the door before marching right back, only this time her eyes were a little wetter. “Pregnant?” she whispered.

Fuck. I nodded. “Yes.”

Her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “Is this my fault? Is this because of Doug?”

“What? No, Mom. It’s no one’s fault. I mean…it’s mine but?—”

“When did you find out?”

---