Page 34 of Dark Truths

15

Gabriella

July

“Sweetheart, this is exactly what I needed. What we both needed,” Mom states with a sigh. “It’s such a perfect day.”

I peer over at her, stretched out on her back on the lounger beside me. She’s wearing a modest black bikini, showing off her supple body, her hips, and full breasts. She looks more like an older sister than my mother. No wonder Dad can’t keep his hands off her. Mom is banging hot at her age. If I look half as good as she does at this age, well, then I’m doing something right.

“I’m glad you could join me, Mom.”

“Me too, dear. Are you feeling better?”

“Yeah.” I woke up this morning feeling a little…off. Stomach cramps with some nausea. “It was probably just something I ate yesterday at dinner.” I went out with a few classmates to a local spot I’d never been before and most likely mixed the wrong food and drinks together.

“That’s good. There’s nothing like the medicine of the warm Florida sun and ocean.”

Or Motrin and a few Tums, but there is something to her words. The sun feels amazing, and the sound of waves crashing against the shoreline is a lullaby to my ears.

“Sweetheart, I’m worried for you.”

I look at her, confused by her confession and sudden change of topic. “Why?”

“When was the last time you went on a date?” she asks. “What about that Greg boy?”

I snort. “Greg? He’s gay, Mom!”

Mom shrugs like that doesn’t make a difference. “He’s cute.”

Picking up a towel, I toss it at my mom with a laugh. “Should Dad be concerned?”

“Not at all,” Mom answers with a laugh. “Your father and I are very happy. In fact, he bought this swing and—”

“Oh my God, stop. I don’t want to hear any more of that,” I interrupt. Rising from my chair, I grab my cover-up shawl and toss it over my shoulders. “I have to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll join you. I’m getting hungry,” Mom says and follows behind me on the wooden path to the backdoor of my house.?

Inside the downstairs bathroom, I finish peeing, but when I pull my hand back, there’s dark blood staining the toilet paper. The sight makes me pause. My period’s not due for another week at least, and I’m as regular as they come. My last period was three weeks…

Wait.?

No, it wasn’t.?

I quickly pull my phone out and open my calendar app. It’s been over a month since my last period. I’m late by at least three weeks and now I’m bleeding. Fuck.?

I need to know for certain. It could be simply stress kept it at bay or it could be something worse. It could mean I’m pregnant and losing the baby.?

“Mom?” My voice sounds small in the small bathroom. “Mom?” This time it’s louder and echoes.?

A few moments later, she’s at the door, knocking. “What is it, sweetheart? Something wrong?”

The words won’t form. I can only say, “Mom.”?

The door opens, and then she’s there.?

“Mom.” My voice breaks and the tears come.

She looks from my one hand holding the bloody toilet paper, to my phone in the other and then finally to my panic-stricken face. In the next heartbeat, she’s on her knees in front of me, wrapping her arms around me.?

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