Page 79 of Memories By the Shore
Jasper: How was your day?
It was good until about ten minutes ago.
Me: It was good. We picked up a lot of things for my dorm while we were in the city.
Jasper: That’s great.
Me: How was yours?
Jasper: Busy. We have to do inventory at the shop. Do you mind if I still come to see you even if it’s late?
My stomach flutters as I tap out a response.
Me: Of course. I can’t wait to see you!
Then I toss my phone through the bathroom door. It lands on my bed. I need to take this test before Helen gets home.
With shaky hands, I quickly skim the directions.It seems straightforward.I rip open the rapper, pinch the handle with two fingers, and lift my dress with the other. Placing it between my legs, I let a steady stream flow on the testing strip. I take care to leave the strip in place until I empty my entire bladder. I’d rather be sure.
When I’m done, I put the cap back on and set the test on a piece of toilet paper on the counter.
Okay, ten minutes. No worries.
I fix my dress and pace my room for what seems like a lifetime. I forgot to set the timer, but I’ll know soon.
Finally, after the longest ten minutes of my life, I walk back into the bathroom, holding what’s left of my breath, and glance down at the test.
Pregnant.
Oh my fucking god.
There’s no way.
It’s got to be a falsepositive.
Panic whips at my back, causing a rush of lightheadedness.This can’t be real!
Just then, I hear the front door open and close. Helen is back, and suddenly, I’m comforted by her presence. I swing open the door to the bathroom, tears rolling down my face. I have to tell her.
Helen handled the news better than I thought she would. Through tears and minor hysterics, she made me realize this doesn’t have to stop my life and that she’d be here with me every step of the way. She also reminded me that I have options. It was a brief conversation, but not something I’d like to consider.
Now I lie in bed, a million thoughts bouncing around my head while even more emotions wreck me. Jasper texted me about half an hour ago, telling me they’d just finished. I’m expecting him to arrive at any moment.
Helen said I should tell him before she said anything to Duke and suggested that the four of us sit down together tomorrow and discuss what Jasper and I plan to do and how they can help us.
A bang at my window gives me a quick scare. I sit straight up to see Jasper hopping down to the floor.
“You know we have a door?” I say. His hair is windblown, and he has shorts and a T-shirt on. Only Jasper can make dressing like a beach bum sexy.Maybe it’s not such asurprise he got me pregnant.I shake my head, pushing away the thought of doing the same thing that got us in this predicament in the first place.
“I know.” He glides his hands along my hips. “But crawling through your window is more fun.”
I bring both arms around the back of his neck and lock eyes with his. “I need to talk to you.”
He frowns. “About what?”
I lightly kiss his lips, then pull away and gesture toward my bed. “Can you sit down?”
“Okay,” he says with a drawl, worried about what I will say.
