Page 92 of Let Me

“Where are we going, sweetheart?”

“To your parents’ house.”

“Baby, I’m not dressed.”

I look him up and down.He has on a pair of basketball shorts and a T-shirt.

I say, “You’re fine.We’re just taking a few steps down the street.Slide into those house slippers.”

“Autumn, my parents are probably in bed.”

“They’ll wake up.Come on.Let’s go.”

We rush out the front door and speed-walk to his parents’ house.My heart is racing, but I’m elated.Judah looks just as happy as I am.

I push the doorbell.It’s after midnight.It is a little crazy to be showing up at somebody’s house after midnight, but it is what it is.They need to know this and there’s no way I can wait until the morning to share this news with them.

I push the doorbell a few more times, and when the porch light comes on, my excitement increases.Presly opens the door rubbing his eyes and I see Adrienne behind him looking skeptically as she ties on her robe.

“Autumn, Judah—what are you doing here?”he asks.“Do y’all know what time it is?”he asks as he opens the door for us to enter.

“I’m so sorry,” I tell them.“It’s my fault, Presly.I dragged Judah over here.”

“Is everything okay?”Adrienne asks.“You look like you’ve been crying.You both do.”

“Yes.We have some good news to tell you both.”

“What’s that?”

I look at Judah, giving him the honor of telling them the news.He says, “We’re pregnant.”

Adrienne’s eyes grow big as she looks at my flat stomach.“Oh my God!”she says, closing me in a bear hug.

“Congratulations, son.”

“Have you been to the doctor?”Adrienne asks.

“No.I just took the test.”

“Well, first thing in the morning, we have to get you to a doctor to make sure everything is in order.How far along do you think you are?When did this happen?Howdid this happen?”she asks, firing off question after question.

“Yeah,” Presly says.“I thought you couldn’t—you know…”

“I thought I couldn’t either,” Judah answers, “But God had other plans.”

“Yes!”Adrienne says.“We’re going to get you to the doctor and everything will be just fine.Oh my—this is the best news ever!How far along do you think you are, my dear?”

“I would guess about four weeks.”

“Wow.A grandbaby,” she says.“But your stomach is so flat.Are you sure there’s something in there?”

“I’m sure, and judging by the size of your son, it’s gon’ be a big baby.”

Judah smiles.“You’re welcome.”

I laugh until tears well up in my eyes.

Presly says, “Judah, let me holla at you for a minute.”

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