Page 104 of The One I Hate
“That’s what I thought too. But I was wrong. It was a huge misunderstanding.”
Connor looks at me, then Simon, then back to me, clearly not believing any of this. “Misunderstanding? Is that what he’s telling you?”
I shake my head. “Yes, he told me, but it’s true. The woman I saw was his sister.”
“Sister?” Connor huffs a laugh and shakes his head in disbelief. “He’s going with the sister line? Come on, Charlie, you’re smarter than this.”
“It’s true.”
I turn my head to see Maeve walking toward us, along with Simon’s entire family. Talk about timing...
“Who are you?”
“I’m Maeve. The sister who didn’t fuck her brother.”
Connor looks to Maeve, then back to Simon and me. “What the hell is going on?”
“This is how I know he’s telling the truth. Maeve had no idea who I was, and I didn’t know her.” I turn back to Connor, begging him with my eyes and words to see and believe I was in the wrong. “I was sad and angry. And then you called me about Mom. I was mad at the world. I cut everyone off, including Simon. I never gave him a chance to explain and for years let myself believe what I wanted to.”
“So what does this mean?” Connor says. “Don’t tell me…”
I take a step back and slip my hand into Simon’s. “Yes. We’re together.”
“Oh! Did you make it official? I know you said you didn’t need to, but with the baby and all…”
Everyone shoots a look over to Mrs. Banks, whose eyes double in size when she realizes what she just said.
“Baby?” Connor’s eyes are darting from person to person. “Did she say baby?”
“Yes. I’m pregnant.”
There’s silence on the street. No one knows what to say.
Everyone except Simon.
“I’m sorry, but we’re all acting like this is a sad announcement, when it’s the greatest thing in the world. Charlie and I are having a baby!”
“Jesus fucking Christ…”
I mutter the Lord’s name in vain into my hands as I smack my forehead. What in the literal fuck is happening right now?
“Charlie Bennett and I are having a baby! Baby Bug is due in May. I’m going to be a daddy!”
“Wait, what? Did you just say Baby Bug?”
We turn to the new voice—how many people are on this sidewalk right now?—which belongs to Wes. He’s accompanied by Betsy, the rest of the friend crew, and all of their kids.
“Yup! You’re about to be Uncle Wes.”
“Damn,” Oliver says shaking his head. “I didnothave that on my bingo card.”
Despite the shit show that happened outside, followed immediately by Simon coming into the diner and announcing to everyone that not only were we expecting, but that he was buying everyone’s meal, things have settled down.
And I can now say, it was a success. Even with the shit show.
We were only open through lunch today, figuring we didn’t need to jump into the fire feet first. A few customers are still finishing their meals, including a group of women who told me that this was going to be their new Friday lunch spot. Everyone was complimentary of the menu—especially the breakfast burger. A few of Mona’s older customers told me that the coffee tasted different, but they wouldn’t hold it against me.
It was the same coffee.
