Page 21 of Under The Cherry Blossoms
“Babes, what’s wrong?” Reaching out, her hand grabs mine and gives it a reassuringsqueeze.
“I’mlate.”
“What? Late for what?” The confused look on her face would be laughable if my world wasn’t crashing down around me rightnow.
Shoving my phone in her face with the period tracker notification front and center, I feel the sting of tears as I scramble to make sense ofthis.
“You’re late,” she repeatsquietly.
“Yep.”
“But it’s only a week, Balls, that’s nothing. It’s probablynothing.”
“I’m never late, Cass. Likenevernever. I can’t… I mean, I just… What do I do?” I ask, and my voice sounds tiny, even to my ownears.
Squaring her shoulders, she sucks in a deep breath before replying. “We get up, we find the nearest pharmacy, we buy a pregnancy test and you pee all over that fucker.Thenwe worry about what to do next. Sound like aplan?”
“Sounds like a plan,” I reply softly, standing up and taking hold of Cassidy’s proffered hand. “Cass? Thankyou.”
“Enough with the sap, Balls, my cold heart can’t handle it. Now let’s get out ofhere.”
“Getout.”
“What, no way! Jesus, Skyballs, don’t be shy, just hike the skirt up, yank the panties down and pee on the goddam stick. I want to find out if I’m going to be a motherfuckingaunt!”
“I am not peeing in front of you. That is not happening, so if you want to find out, you need toleave.”
“Ugh, hurry up then.” Huffing out a noise of frustration, she turns on her heel and storms out, slamming the door behindher.
Turning the box in my hands, I read the instructions on the pregnancy test for the twenty-seventh time before situating myself on the toilet and waiting for the two bottles of water I drank to do theirjob.
Five minutes later, I’m placing the test on the sink and washing my hands while I call out to Cassidy that it’s safe toenter.
“Oh my god, you take forever to pee!” she says as she bursts through the door and crouches down to look at the test. “How long do we have towait?”
“Three minutes.” I slump to the ground as Cassidy checks the clock on herphone.
Coming over to where I sit, she slides down and takes up a spot on the floor next to me. Kissing me on my forehead, she lies her head on my shoulder and links her arm throughmine.
“Are youexcited?”
I sigh as I consider her question. “I don’t know. I mean, Ben and I have never even talked about kids. Or the future at all really. We’ve only been together for six months, we’ve just been enjoying each other. And he has that history with his ex tricking him. I honestly don’t know how he would take the news of apregnancy.”
“Okay, I’m going to ask you again, and this time I don’t want you to think. I just want you to feel. Are you excited?” Cassidypresses.
Unbidden, an image of Ben holding a soft, sleepy baby in his arms appears in my mind’s eye and my heart constricts at the thought. “Yeah,” I say softly. “I think I am.” I allow a small smile to breakfree.
“Eeeekkk, I’m gonna be an aunty! Aunty Cass! I swear, this kid is so fucking lucky, I’m going to give her chocolate every time I see her. She’s going to loveme!”
“Her, huh?” I ask,laughing.
“It’s totes gonna be a girl, Balls. I know it,” she repliesconfidently.
Looking at my best friend, I feel the dread take flight. Cassidy’s excitement is contagious and I start to feel it hum through mybody.
“Okay, you ready? Three minutes isup.”
“Yep, let’s dothis.”
