Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
“Are you ready to be a big brother, Mr. Teddy? Because I’m expecting.”
It’s true. I glow in the mirror as I run one hand over my slightly protruding belly. It’s not much and you can’t really see because my royal blue gown is very loose as it billows over my body. But as I softly stroke the mound, I feel a flutter inside and know that it’s my baby turning over and giving me a little kick of hello.
“Hi there,” I say with a smile. “I’m so excited to welcome you to the world, and your daddy will be too once he finds out.”
After all, I haven’t told Cameron yet, but I know he’s going to be over the moon. After all, he’s the one who suggested the pulling out method, but he never pulls out! In the months that we’ve been together, I can count on one hand the times he actually managed to pull out in time, and even then, that was after a spurt or two had already blasted into me.
So he should be expecting this, if nothing else. I warned him way back when that I come from a very fertile line of women, and I’m an eighteen year old nymph. Of course he was going to get me pregnant if we didn’t use serious birth control, but my man never seemed to worry about it.
Humming, I place my mortarboard on my head. It looks good. It too is royal blue, and my blonde hair spills out from beneath it, a mass of spun gold on my shoulders. My skin is glowing and my cheeks pink. Plus, my mouth has that just-kissed look that it always has now because Cameron is so tender with me at every chance he can get.
Smiling, I go downstairs in my cap and gown to where my Aunt Kathy and my mom wait.
“You look beautiful!” gasps my mom, getting up to give me a hug. “Absolutely gorgeous. I’m so proud of you.”
Kathy nods as well. She’s blonde, like my mom and me, but there’s something witchy about her. Her make-up is often spackled on, and today, she’s wearing a tight green mini-dress even though most people wear loose florals to graduation ceremonies.
“Hi honey,” she says in her drawl. “How have you been, Madeline?”
I smile at her.
“I’m good. I’m finally graduating, so that’s a relief.”
She eyes me up and down.
“And what comes next after graduation?”
The truth is that I’m not sure. I got into a few schools but I haven’t committed yet. Not just that, but with the baby on the way, I’m not sure what’s next in store for me. Maybe I’ll put off freshman year for a year and have the child. Or maybe I’ll take a few years off while I tend to my beautiful boy, and enjoy being a mama. Whatever path I choose, I need to talk with Cameron first.
“Well, you know I got into Nevada State,” I say with a smile. “I’m thinking about going there come fall. I said yes, but they didn’t make me put down a deposit, so I’m still free to change my plans.”
Kathy sniffs.
“What school doesn’t make you put down a deposit?”
I shrug.
“A lot of schools these days are very sensitive about their students’ finances. They know that a lot of us don’t have much, and that the cost of college can be a huge burden. So many schools no longer require a deposit. They want to provide maximum flexibility financially and emotionally, so they just take you on your word.”
Kathy sniffs again.
“Much good that must do. I bet there’s lots of movement in the student body come September.”
I shrug. My aunt is being a bitch, but I’m not going to let her ruin my big day.
“Maybe, but the schools have learned how to deal with it. I’m just glad I didn’t have to commit because I think it would be stressful.”
I don’t add that it would be additionally stressful for a pregnant woman, and that I don’t want to harm my baby. Instead, I smile genuinely.
“What’s new with you? Didn’t you have that new boyfriend, Bobby What’s-His-Name?”
Kathy makes a sour expression and her mouth puckers up as if she’s just eaten a lemon.
“That douche was an idiot. He got himself fired as a dealer at Le Palms, can you believe it? It was for truancy or showing up late too many times. Something like that. But I heard you can help me …” she says, her words trailing off.
I shoot a sharp look over at my mom, and Grace’s expression is pleading.
“I know we weren’t supposed to tell anyone, sweetheart, but Kathy is your aunt. She’s family, and she has a right to know about your relationship with Cameron Savage.”
I bit my lip in anger. No one has a “right” to know about my personal life. This is mine and Cameron’s business and our business alone. But I manage to keep a calm expression because after today’s graduation ceremony, everyone’s going to know anyways. So I guess it doesn’t matter too much.