Page 116 of A Good Book

Only if you tell me what happened in church.

“I told everyone that Gabby’s pregnant. Now I need to tell her before her parents call her.”

She doesn’t know you were going to tell them?

I shook my head while dialing Gabby’s phone number. Tillie returned saucer eyes.

“Just hand me the phone as soon as she says, ‘Hello.’”

Tillie held the phone to her ear for a few seconds before quickly handing it back to me.

“Hey, Gabbs. Obviously, I can’t hear you, but I need to tell you something, and then you can reply to Tillie, and she will relay your response. After church, I told our parents about the pregnancy because I didn’t want you to have to do it and risk anyone getting upset or making you feel bad. That wouldn’t be good for you or the baby. I told them it was my fault, and that I planned on doing whatever you feel is best. So I’ll move to Michigan and work nights while you go to school during the day. Or I’ll get a better job close to Devil’s Head if you want to move home and finish your schooling later. It’s your choice. And just so you know, when I finished telling them, your mom hugged me. My dad said nothing. My mom is disappointed in me. And your dad might want to kill me. So … how do you feel? I’m giving the phone to Tillie.”

Tillie held the phone back to her ear. After a few seconds, her lips moved. She frowned and hung up the phone.

“Hey!” I hurried and picked it back up.

She hung up.

“What?” I shook my head. “No. You must have gotten disconnected.”

I don’t think so. She hung up on purpose.

I dialed her number again and handed the phone to Tillie, who rolled her eyes. After a long pause, she hung up.

She’s not answering.

“You didn’t wait long enough.”

It rang ten times.

I scrubbed my hands over my face and grumbled, “Dammit, Gabbs. Pick up the phone.”

Sorry.

Tillie set the pen on the paper and patted my shoulder before leaving my room.

CHAPTERFORTY-ONE

WHITNEY HOUSTON, “THEGREATESTLOVEOFALL”

Gabby

Ben had no right tellingmy parents about the pregnancy. Even if it was his baby, too, it wasn’t his news to share withmyparents. So much for holding my chin up and shoulders back to take responsibility like an adult. Ben made me look like a scared child.

He called five times over the following two days, and I hung up as soon as I heard his voice.

Late Wednesday afternoon, while I was trying to study for my psychology test, there was a knock at my door. Despite my anger toward Ben, I wanted it to be him.

“Mom,” I said on a gasp.

She hugged me without a word, and just like when Ben showed up unexpectedly, I broke down in tears and stated the thing that she already knew, “I’m pregnant.”

“I know,” she whispered, hugging me tighter.

It was hard to release her and look her in the eyes, but I did while wiping my tears. “Where’s Dad?” I asked, closing the door.

“Home.” She glanced around my room.

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