Page 105 of The Last Man on Earth
She smiles. “You love him.”
I stare blankly. “Do I, though? Maybe we’re just trauma bonded.”
Her eyes narrow. “You think that’s all it is?”
“I don’t know.” I press my palm to my stomach. “We’ve only been off the island two days and it already feels different.”
She puts her hand on top of mine. “How far along are you?”
“I won’t know until I see a doctor. Which is something me and him should be doing together.”
“I’m sure he will.” She squeezes my hand. “Didn’t he lose family on that flight? He’s probably barely holding it together. Give him some time.”
I nod, knowing she’s right, but also feeling unsure. I don’t know if I have any time to give. I could be seven months. Eight months. Days from delivery.
This is so frustrating.
"When did y'all find out I was pregnant?" I ask.
"Girl." She smiles, shaking her head like she's about let me in on the gossip. "When you walked in."
"Seriously?"
"Mm hm."
I sit with that for a minute, stunned that my family played it off so well.
“Did you see her?" I say. "His fiancée?”
She nods. “I’d seen her before, though. On the blogs.”
“She’s pretty.”
“She ain’t prettier than us,” Shara says. “And also, we’re not doing this.”
“What?”
“Comparing ourselves.”
“You do know we’re two different people, right?”
“You wish.” She stands and stretches. “Whenever you’re ready, come eat. Daddy made your favorite. We’ll wait for you.”
Once she’s gone, I open my messages. My fingers hover for a minute, then I type.
We’ll talk soon
I hit send, set the phone facedown, and get up, pulling a nightgown over my head. The spaghetti and catfish smell like God himself made me my first welcome home meal.
I descend the staircase carefully, trying not to think about the moment Vincent dropped my hand.
Chapter 54
Vincent
Shemari is quiet.
She’s on the couch across from me, eyes locked on mine, while JR climbs all over me. I can’t believe how much bigger he looks. He’s gonna be tall, just like his daddy.
