Page 11 of Van

“I’m pregnant, not helpless.”

“Your blood pressure is also up, and you get leg cramps.”

“How do you know about my blood pressure?” she asks confused. Maybe I shouldn’t know, but Nicole told me she was worried about her, and I made her spit it out.

“Nic was worried about you,” I tell her as I walk around her room, taking it all in.

“She’s always worried about me. I don’t know how to make her stop.”

“Why would she need to stop? She’s your friend.”

“She worries too much. The doctor has me on medicine, and I’m fine now.”

“Regardless, you need to take it easy. We don’t need you havin’ that baby early.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” she says.

“Don’t be sorry. Be smart. Nothin’ here is that important.” She nods her head as I drop onto the bed next to her. She turns her head to look at me before she smiles.

“Comfortable?”

“Your bed feels softer than mine,” I tell her.

“You can switch them.”

“No. I’m good. Just sayin’.”

“Okay.” There’s an awkward silence between the two of us. I’m unsure what to say to her. I don’t know what I’m doing in here. I don’t know what the hell is keeping me in her room aside from the fact that I like talking to her.

“Where are you from?”

“Here. I’ve lived here all my life,” she replies.

“Parents?”

“They moved to California years ago. We don’t talk much since they moved.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is what it is. I get along just fine on my own,” she tells me. I nod my head, still not wanting to leave. I don’t know what’s keeping me here.

“What about friends?”

“Aside from Nicole? I don’t have many. I work and stay to myself,” she tells me. “What about you? You have family besides your sisters?”

“I do. I have my parents nearby. They’re great people. I see them almost every weekend. In fact, I’m headin’ there tomorrow if you wanna get out of here for a little while. Might be nice to get some air,” I tell her.

“I don’t think I should ride a bike like this,” she nods toward her stomach.

“We’ll take the truck. You can meet my sisters,” I tell her. Why am I telling her this? Why am I offering to take her along with me? Maybe she does need to get out for a while, though. Being stuck inside and only working can take a toll on someone.

“I’d like that. Thank you,” she says softly.

“No problem. I’ll see you in the mornin’.” I finally drag my ass back out of her room and down the hall to the main room when Mask finds me.

“You as pissed about this Reggie shit as me?”

“Oh, I’m pissed, brother. I can’t believe that he’d go behind our backs and do this,” I tell him.

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