Page 31 of Two Minutes for Holding

“While you rest, did you want to watch an episode ofFriends?” Elsie questioned.

I rested my head against the back of the chair and nodded. We’d been watching the show since my mother had recommended it, and so far, we were loving it. As we sat there watching the next episode, I looked at my phone, noticing the date. It had been almost four weeks since I’d returned fromVancouver. My stomach slightly flipped again, causing another rush of saliva to my mouth as I quickly thought about that trip and then realized I should have gotten my period two weeks ago. With everything that had gone on, I hadn’t realized I’d missed it.

I shifted in my chair, pulling my legs up underneath as Elsie let out a laugh at something Chandler had said.

“Why aren’t you laughing?” she questioned, pausing the show.

“What?” I questioned, looking up from my phone.

“Peyton, what is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Elsie said.

“Sorry what?” I asked again, closing the calendar on my phone.

The possibility of pregnancy swirled around in my mind as I looked at Elsie. The possibility of who the father might be was making me feel sick again.

“Are you okay?” she asked again, this time turning her full attention to me. “You look like you are going to be sick again.”

“Can you drive me to the pharmacy?” I questioned, looking at her, trying hard to stop the burning in my eyes from the tears that were threatening to fall.

“Why? Need some anti-nausea medication?” she questioned. “I might have some in my purse, actually,” she said, getting up off the couch and heading toward the entryway.

“No, not anti-nausea medication. However, if you have a pregnancy test in that bottomless purse of yours, I’ll gladly take that instead.”

Four days later,Elsie and I sat on the edge of my bed staring down at those stupid little pink lines once again. My heart was racing, and it was making me feel lightheaded.

“Well, no doubt about it, you are pregnant. I don’t think we need to do any more of these,” she said, pulling the last test from my hand.

“Maybe one more, just for good measure.”

“Good measure? Why? Do you think test number six is faulty too?” She giggled, throwing it into the garbage.

“Oh, I don’t know, hoped is more like it,” I said, running my fingers through my hair.

I’d been in touch with my mother, who had told me Knox would pick me up at the airport tonight. My mind had been on so many other things, I still hadn’t packed, and I knew I needed to if I was going to make my flight.

“Maybe, to ease your mind, you should just make an appointment with your doctor,” Elsie said, sitting down beside me.

“Or we could do one more drugstore run,” I said, picking at the side of my fingernail.

Elsie picked up my phone and handed it to me. “Seriously, just call. After six tests, I can guarantee what the next one is going to tell you.”

“I can’t book an appointment. I’m leaving for Vancouver tonight. Did you forget?” I sighed.

“I didn’t forget. Book it for when you get back. Do you know who the father is?” she questioned. “If it’s the mystery man,perhaps you can meet up and talk with him. Might ease a little of this anxiety you’re feeling if you share this with him.”

“Perhaps,” I whispered, knowing that if it were Tor’s instead of Clay’s, it would only increase my anxiety. I took the phone and dialed the doctor’s office. “I’ll book, and then will you help me pack?” I asked.

“Of course,” she said, getting up off the bed and pulling out my suitcase from the closet.

Once I hung up the phone, I walked over to my closet and pulled out a few clothes, passing them to Elsie.

“Are you going to shed some light?” she questioned.

I nodded, swallowing hard.

“Is it Tor’s?” she asked, folding my sweaters carefully and placing them in my bag.

I let out the breath I was holding. For so many reasons, I didn’t want to disclose things, but I needed someone to talk to.

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