Twenty-Eight

The next day I glowed with happiness.

I'd asked God to give me the strength to do His will and keep my paths straight.

I was finishing laundry when my phone rang. I set a stack of towels on the counter before fishing my phone from my purse and answering. It was my doctor with the results of my blood work. I listened without fear.

"Knock, Knock. Who's there?" Katie called, strolling in with a bag of donuts and coffee. It was her usual entry saying, but his time I answered.

"Anemia."

She gave me a blank look. "Anemia who?"

"According to the doctor, that would be me," I answered, aware my joke had gone wrong. It was corny. Clearly, God had not called me to be a comedian.

"That's not funny. Are you ok?" she asked, looking concerned.

"Yes, I just need to eat more protein." My gaze fell on the white paper bad in her hand. "For now a hot glazed donut will do."

"Well, I've got plenty. Heard you and Kyle left together last night." Katie wagged her brows.

"We talked." The goofy grin on my face was telling.

"Amazing how communication can solve ninety-nine point percent of problems." Katie pulled out a barstool and sat. "Brace yourself for the news."

"What's wrong?"

"Ava is on her way over," she said with a roll of her eyes. "She called Izabelle hysterical and begged to talk. Izabelle suggested they meet somewhere, but you know Ava she as to have her way."

"Why would she want to meet here?"

Katie made a sound of disgust. "You know why. It's impossible to cause drama without an audience."

The door flew open and Izzy burst in dressed in running clothes, searching the apartment. "She's not here yet? Thank goodness. I didn't want you to be blindsided Lucy."

I reached for my coffee. "I don't mind if Ava visits. It's not a big deal."

"Yeah, well, you didn't hear how she was carrying on. I love her, but the performance was way over the top."

"Did she tell you what she wanted?" Katie asked.

"No. That's what was weird. She insisted we sit down in person here." Izabelle cast a worried look my way. "You and Kyle are finally moving on. This is the last thing you need."

"Nothing she has to say will affect us." A sense of peace washed over me, and I knew it would work out.

The doorbell rang several times, and Katie and Izabelle shared a look.

"Stop," I said gently. "It's all good."

Ava barged past me as soon as I opened the door.

Spinning to face us with tear-stained cheeks, she announced, "I need a pregnancy test!"

Silence.

"Oh, well, are fully stocked. Let me go get one." Izabelle's voice dripped sarcasm. "Do you have a particular brand in mind?"

"Izzy, I'm serious!" Ava stomped her little foot.

"So am I. You know these two are pure as the driven snow. Obviously, you think I'm slutty enough to keep pregnancy tests on hand."

"Izabelle." I placed my hand on her arm. "She didn't mean it that way."

Ava's red-rimmed eyes flew to mine. She seemed surprised I'd defend her, and I was a little surprised too. "I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I didn't know where else to go."

"Have you told the baby's daddy?" Katie asked, her voice wary.

"I can't. Not yet. I need to be sure."

Something about the way Ava watched me put me on guard. "We can get a test," I promised with more calm than I felt. "I'll drive."

Half an hour later I paced the bathroom, glancing at my watch. Katie picked up the little white test and frowned. "What do the lines mean?" she muttered, picking up the instructions. "You'd think someone would be able to invent something more user-friendly."

"What does it say?" Ava asked anxiously.

"We're trying to figure it out." Izabelle read the paper Katie held.

Katie's gaze met mine, her expression stoic. "There are two dark lines. I think it's positive."

I leaned against the counter.

Ava gasped. "I'm pregnant?"

"It looks like it. There's another test if you want to take it."

The next test also came back positive.

"You're having a baby," Izabelle whispered in awe, wrapping her arms around Ava.

"Hearing you say that feels strange. It doesn't seem real. The night I drank those shots—" Her hands flew to her stomach and rested there protectively.

I tried to comfort her. "You can't be that far along. It's probably fine."

"I haven't felt sick, and I don't even remember missing my period. I've been taking birth control pills!"

"Like Lucy said your baby is going to be fine," Katie assured.

"You need to tell your family, and the baby's father."

Ava appeared stricken. "I'm not sure he'll be happy. We were taking things slow."

"Give me a break," Izabelle scoffed. "The time for taking things slow ended when you peed on that stick. Now is the time to tell him he's going to be a daddy, and take him to a jewelry store to pick out a ring."

"We don't have to get married because we're having a baby." Ava's voice quivered.

"Yeah, I'd like to hear what your dad is going to say about that."

Fresh tears welled in her eyes. "I'm not telling him yet. I'm not telling anyone until I figure out what to do."

"What do you mean what to do?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"I mean I need to think about what's best for me. I'm not sure I'm ready to have a baby."

Katie patted her back. "It's kind of late to figure that out. This little one is coming. You better get ready."

"Maybe."

The single word was so soft I almost didn't hear it. I crouched in front of her, taking her hand in mine, and meeting her pain-filled eyes. "You don't want to hurt your baby."

"It's my right to choose!" she insisted, through a haze of tears.

"You want to have an abortion?" Izabelle's voice was sharp. "Ava, you can't. You have a family who loves you and will support you."

"She's right," Katie agreed. "Even if the baby's father doesn't step up, you can do this."

I continued to hold her hand. "It's going to be ok, Ava. You don't need all the answers right now. God will help you."

"If only you knew, Lucy."

The bitter words pierced my heart. I think I knew what was coming even before Ava spoke.

"The baby is Kyle's."

Izabelle gasped.

Ava lifted her chin in defiance. "Do you still think I should have this baby, Lucy?"

My world was falling down around me, but I did not hesitate. "Yes. You should have this baby."

Her expression was flabbergasted. "Oh, come on! You don't really mean that."

"I do. You have a life growing inside you. A precious gift from God. If Kyle is the father, you have to tell him. The two of you will be parents." The words fell from my lips easily.

Ava stared at me like I'd grown another head. "Maybe he'll want me to get rid of it."

"No. He won't. He'll marry you, and help you raise your child. Kyle doesn't believe in abortion."

"How are you so sure?"

"I know him. He follows Jesus, and he will obey the Lord."

"He wasn't following Jesus when he slept with me!" Ava snapped.

I took a deep, steadying breath. I hoped Kyle wasn't the father of Ava's baby, but she seemed convinced he was. "Kyle will do the right thing. Give him a chance."

Izabelle's gaze held mine. "God help us."

Later, after Ava and Izabelle had gone home, I struggled with what to do. I bowed my head. Please let this not be true.

That evening I pulled into Kyle's driveway, more nervous than I'd ever been in my life. I got out of the car, breathless and jittery despite my resolve to remain cool. When I rang the doorbell, my heart tripped at the sound of the chime.

I waited.

He didn't answer.

Punching the button again, I tried to peek through the glass. A moment later, the door swung open and Ava filled the doorway, dressed in one of Kyle's button-down shirts and nothing else.

My stomach dropped like a brick.

"Oh. Lucy, hi," Ava said with a triumphant smile. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was tousled as if a lover had just run his fingers through it. "You were right about Kyle. He is thrilled about the baby! I don't know how to thank you."

I gripped my stomach to ease the violent pain that ripped through me. I fully expected Ava's story to be a lie. I could not believe Kyle was the father.

"Lucy, are you okay?"

As if from a distance, I heard her talking, and I tried to focus despite my swimming head. "I want to see Kyle."

"Sure, come on in." Ava stepped aside. "He's in the shower, but he'll be done soon. I can get him," she suggested helpfully with a little smile that said she'd be delighted to get him out of the shower.

Shaking my head, I walked into the house and headed straight for Kyle's bedroom, expecting to find it empty but the sound of the shower running crushed any hope I had that this was all a mistake.

His wallet and keys were on his dresser. Tears stung my eyes. A hollow ache settled in my stomach, but I would leave without the truth.

On trembling legs, I crept to the bathroom door. Turning the nob slowly, I cracked the door open and peeked in. The glass was foggy but a man was in the shower. I choked back a sob.

I'd been sure he wasn't home, positive Ava was wrong, but Kyle was here. He was with Ava. Turning, I ran from the bedroom and out of the house.

"Lucy, wait!" Ava called to me.

I didn't want her to see me cry, but I still turned to see what she wanted.

"I'm sorry." Ava looked as if she might say more. "I'm really sorry," she repeated and I thought she meant it.

I wasn't ready to face anyone yet and didn't want to go home. Knowing Dad was at work, I drove to his house and sank down on the sofa to cry with Jack faithfully curling up at my feet.

I cried until my chest ached and I had no more tears.

***

Lord, how could I have misunderstood you? I thought Kyle and I were supposed to be together. Please help me get over him. Help me hear you better.

Focusing on my patients, I went to work the next day determined not to let this break me. I refused to think about Kyle. Going through the motions was all I could manage. The next few days passed in a blur.

Kyle called, but I declined it. I'd have to talk to him eventually, but I wasn't ready. He left a message, which I deleted. He sent a text. I deleted that one too.

Then he called again. I don't know why I chose to play it.

Lucy, please, pick up. You and Izzy aren't talking to me, and I don't know why. Someone is going to have to tell me what I've done. Whatever it is, pray about it. I love you. Call me.

I almost called him. He sounded sincere. I picked up my phone and tapped the screen. His name was at the top.

He's cheating on you with Ava. She's having his baby!

The angry voice gripped me. I wanted to ignore it, but it was true.

Had everything he said to me been a lie?

You can't trust him.

I'd get over Kyle Huxley. Allowing the anger to build kept me from breaking down. What I really wanted to do was hide under the covers of my bed, and grieve.

Kyle sent a text. I love you

Without thinking I reacted, answering with two words. It's over.

The calls and texts stopped after that. I told myself I was glad, but it wasn't true.

Thanksgiving Day arrived on a bleak wintry-like day. The dinner was usually my favorite, but this year I wished we could skip it. I loved cooking, baking, and the start of the Christmas season. This year I wasn't feeling any of it, but I made cornbread dressing and a turkey.

Dad baked three pies, pecan, pumpkin, and coconut. Katie made sweet potatoes, broccoli and rice casserole, and homemade rolls. I always said grace, but this year I felt like there was nothing to be thankful for.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus~Thessalonians 5:16-18

The words whispered through me, and it was like a light had been turned on in a dark room.

Give thanks in all circumstances

In all circumstances

Remember who you are, a daughter of the most high!

Realizing how selfish I was being, I bowed my head and joined hands with Dad and Katie to pray. I had to set an example and pray one day they would believe in Christ.

One prayer I said aloud. The other was a silent plea for God's forgiveness for not being the best example of a Christian. I asked the Lord to help me do better.

The three of us spent a quiet day at my dad's house, eating and watching old Christmas movies.

"It's been too long since we've sat down for dinner together." Dad took a scoop of dressing and put it on his plate. "Tell me what's going on with you girls. Anything interesting?"

"My life is as boring as always, Mr. Donovan."

"What about Jase?" I couldn't resist asking.

"What about him?" Katie shot back, giving me the look that meant that topic was closed.

Dad chuckled.

"I ran into your friend Izabelle at the grocery store," Dad said casually, a faint stain of pink coloring his jaw.

Intrigued, I watched him with fascination. I'd never seen him nervous over a woman. I knew him too well. This wasn't something he brought up to make small talk.

"Ohhh, you ran into Izabelle, Mr. Donovan?" Katie flashed a sly smile.

Dad nodded, his expression guarded. "I invited her and Kyle over for Thanksgiving."

I plunged a forkful of turkey into gravy. "They're spending Thanksgiving with the Fosters."

"Kyle's girlfriend's family," Katie supplied as if Dad didn't already know that.

He shook his head. "Izabelle said she and Kyle were spending the day at his house. I thought it was odd she turned down the invitation." As if suddenly realizing something, he turned to me. "I thought you were his girlfriend."

"Long story."

"We have all day."

Telling him would make it seem too real, but he loved me and I could tell he was worried.

Scowling he looked from me to Katie and back again. "What did he do? Do I need to go over to his house?"

The story tumbled out.

I took a deep breath. "Ava is pregnant with Kyle's baby."

"What?" He seemed surprised. Frown lines settled between his brows. "Are you sure?"

"We were with her when she took the test, Mr. Donovan," Katie told him.

"I meant are you sure the baby is Kyle's?"

I took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm sure."

Dad cocked a brow, a curious gleam in his eyes. "Kyle told you this?"

"No, but I..." Pushing my food around my plate, I swallowed back tears. "I went to talk to him, and I found them together."

I expected anger or indignation. If he'd said I told you so, I wouldn't have been surprised. Dad's quiet, pensive look was unnerving.

"He confirmed the baby was his after you caught them together."

"Well, no, I didn't actually speak to him. Ava said he was in the shower." Seeing my dad's brows shoot up, I added quickly, "Someone was in the shower. I checked."

Katie's head popped up. "Someone was in the shower?"

"Who else would be in Kyle's shower?" The question held a defensive note. I was starting to think I'd made a mistake.

"Does Izabelle know?"

"She knows about the baby. I haven't spoken to her since I went to his house." Come to think of it, that was strange. She hadn't responded to my last text.

"Hmm. Sounds like there may be more to this story."

"I think you might be right. Thanks, Dad. I should have spoken to you sooner."

I tried calling Izabelle, but she didn't answer. The texts went unanswered too. Katie tried as well, but with the same luck.

"Super weird," Katie said, as we listened to another commercial for Black Friday. "Izzy was as upset about Ava's pregnancy as you were, and she was not defending Kyle."

I spent a restless night thinking about what Dad and Katie said. The seed of doubt had been planted and it took root. The next morning I drove to Kyle's house.

Jase was locking Kyle's front door. Seeing me, he scowled. I fell back a step at the fury in his gaze. "What're you doing here?" he demanded.

"I need to see Kyle." I was off guard by his hostility.

"You wanna mess with his head a little more?" Jase scoffed.

He didn't elaborate just stood watching me like I was a bug that had crawled across his shoe. "Do Kyle a favor and forget this address," he snapped.

"Jase, I don't understand why you're angry."

He hurled a look at me that said he thought I was clueless. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, and I don't care."

"I'm not playing a game."

"You told him it was over. There's nothing more to say."

I winced at the power in his voice. "I'm sorry. I think there's been a misunderstanding—"

"All the years I've known Kyle I've never seen him drunk—until the day you sent that text." Jase's eyes flashed with raw emotion.

"No." I clasped my hand to my heart to slow it down. "He doesn't drink."

"You never gave him the chance to explain!" With that parting shot, Jase stormed past me, but I turned and followed him.

My head felt light, and I struggled to fight off the haze that clouded my vision.

"Jase, I love him!" The admission was ripped from deep inside. I lost my balance and stumbled.

He must have turned back because Jase caught me before I fell. I hadn't realized I was crying until he brushed at my tears. I'm not sure what happened next, but I felt strange, the ground seemed to rush toward me and I only closed my eyes for a second.

I don't remember anything else.