“My brother’s out in the lobby,” I said.
“Good. Go out and make an appointment for three months out, and I’ll see you then.”
“Thanks, doctor.”
I made the appointment, then walked to Nick’s car. He didn’t bombard me with questions, and I was glad for it. Because too many things were running through my mind. I needed to find another job. I needed to get myself into a place where I could raise my child safely. Preferably a place near where I decided to work so I wouldn’t have to shovel money out for a car and gas and insurance. Then, there were things for the baby. A crib. Diapers. Clothes. A babysitter so I could keep working. Health insurance.
Shit. My child would need health insurance.
“Have you thought about telling Mom yet?”
Nick’s voice pierced my thoughts and a heavy sigh left my lips.
“I need to. She’s not going to be happy, but I do have to tell her,” I said.
“I’ll be here every step of the way. I’ll provide whatever buffer you need me to.”
“I love you, Nick. But don’t make this trip home anymore miserable on you than it has to be.”
“I’m not miserable.”
“You hide it well, but you hate this place just as much as I do,” I said.
“Then how about this? You’ll tell Mom, she’ll explode, then we’ll sit down and coordinate our lives. I’ll find a place to go, and you can come with me. I’ll help you raise your kid. I’ll be that fun, weird uncle. We can split bills, I can babysit.”
“I can’t ask you to do that, Nick. You have a life to go live. Things to contend with.”
“I’m not leaving you in this damn town to shrivel up and die, Mich. We’re in this together.”
He wrapped his hand around mine, and I felt guilty at the first thought that ran through my mind.
I wish Gray felt the same way.
“Don’t worry about Mom,” he said, as he released my hand. “She’ll adjust to the idea. And if she doesn’t, we leave. It’s as simple as that.”
“I really wish it was,” I said under my breath.
When Nick and I pulled into the driveway we saw Mom’s car sitting there. My stomach rolled with nerves as I pushed out of the car and walked to the front door. I guess now was the time to fill her in. She was home from work, had probably already taken a nap. It was the best mood I’d be able to catch her in.
But the second I walked in and saw her sitting at the kitchen table, I knew something wasn’t right.
“Mom?” I asked.
“So what the hell’s your plan now?” she asked.
Nick walked in behind me as my mother’s eyes panned up to mine.
“What?” I asked.
“Did you really think you could wash back into town and hide a baby from me?”
My jaw dropped open as I clutched the plastic bag at my side.
“I’m friends with one of the nurses at the clinic,” she said flatly. “She called me the second your tests ran through.”
“That’s illegal,” I said. “You’re not on my HIPPA statement.”
“Welcome home. So what the hell are you going to do