Page 112 of Reclaiming Adelaide

“She’s a witch. Don’t listen to her.”

I glanced back. Jake stood a foot away from Auntie Mable, her face pale and stricken, as though he’d threatened to kill her cat.

“I’m going to get back in there and tell everyone what a cunt she is and how you need more time,” she chuckled, which brought a smile to my face.

“Thank you.”

“Anytime. Butuh…you’ll need to pick up your phone if you need backup.“ She smiled and gave me another hug.

“I’ll send you my new phone number.”

“See ya.”

I gave her a saddened wave as I climbed inside the limo and sat next to the window, watching Jake’s lips moving and my aunt’s gaunt face tremble.

“What’s he saying to her?” I asked Becca, who slid in beside me.

She leaned over and peered out the window. “I imagine he’s explaining how wrong she is, and if she doesn’t want to ruin a relationship with the only blood she has left, it’s best to leave you alone for a while.”

“You think so? She seems a little pale for that.”

“It’s something I’d wished he’d say, but knowing Jake, he’s probably threatening her.”

The blood washed from my face from the confirmation I’d been afraid of.

“I’m kidding,” she said, patting my arm. “He’s just talking to her, that’s all.”

I guess it didn’t matter. Auntie Mable would form her opinion all the same, and I’d be lucky if we held a relationship after the funeral, anyway.

It’s not like we were close.

Aside from the occasional get-together and me being the flower girl at her weddings, we didn’t have anything in common, and we certainly didn’t talk to each other outside of family events.

Jake spun on his heel, leaving her standing like a stone, and entered the limo. Becca slid over to the other leather bench seat, making room for Jake.

“What did you say?”

He slid in next to me and pulled me against him after shutting the door.

“I told her if she ever brought up this moment again, she’d never have a relationship with her niece or great niece or nephew. I’d see to it.” He kissed the top of my head, and Becca’s eyes widened.

“Why would you…” She plopped her hand into her lap, looked away from us, and then back. “Are you…” Her brows pinched together, then widened as her eyes grew larger. “Oh, my God. Wait…” Becca held her hands up in front of her as if she were stopping traffic. “Oh, my God. Are you pregnant?”

I sunk in my seat a little further and closed my eyes tight. We hadn’t agreed to tell anyone. In fact, it was the elephant in the room we sort of ignored, except when my insecurities got the better of me.

“She is.”

“Well, that explains some things.”

My closed eyes stung with tears as I focused on a small meadow with spring flowers bursting through the ground with rebirth.

Nausea swirled in my belly, and my body tensed as I waited for her to say how awful he was for getting me pregnant at such a young age or how we’d never make it. Uncharacteristic for Becca, but I braced for it all the same.

“She’s had some morning sickness, but that’s it.”

“This must be even harder for you.”

I sniffled and wiped my tears again with the back of my hand, thanking God I didn’t put on makeup.

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