Page 19 of Power Move
“Yes, of course,” I said, flatly. “Who isn’t?”
“What is your problem today?” Daphne asked, annoyed. “You’re insucha mood.”
“I’m just tired.”
“Well, try staying sober for a week?—”
“Look, I don’t need your fucking judgement. I don’t drink all the time, Daph.”
She crossed her arms. “It’s neither here nor there. What do you think of Eva?”
“She’s fine,” I said. “Wouldn’t help with my computer, though!”
“Are you fucking serious, Davey? Youaskedher?”
“Well, I tried.”
“I’m embarrassed for both of us, honestly. What the fuck, brother?”
I needed to tell her. She deserved to know.
“I need to talk to you about—” I stopped as her husband, our dear mayor, Cal Markham, appeared.
Daphne turned to Cal and gave him a quick kiss.
“You ready to go?” Cal asked.
“Davey was just saying he had one last thing to wrap up.”
I wasn’t going to do this with Cal present.Hell no!
“Yeah, it can wait. Go home. Enjoy your evening,” I said.
I’d tell her someday, but I wouldn’t do it with her perfect husband around.
8.BETAS
Eva
My phone pingedwhile I returned from work. I noticed the push notification from the medical app. Heart beating in my throat, I opened it and clicked on the link. I knew what beta results should be. For someone who was five weeks along, my hCG levels looked good. If they doubled in two days, I’d know my pregnancy was viable for now. Concern grew as I didn’t have symptoms—no back pain, no breast tenderness, no nausea. With previous pregnancies, I had all of these within two weeks of insemination. Since symptoms usually equaled success, I prepared myself to say nothing until my eight-week scan—nothing to anyone.
I got into the old truck to drive home, feeling silly in my nice suit with my very expensive laptop bag. Mona commissioned it from some fancy Saville Row guy when I’d gotten a director position two years ago. She wassoproud of me. I cherished the bag and that memory. But right now, it provoked strange feelings—signaling the series of contradictions facing me.
I made it home to the smell of sloppy joes. Normally, I’d dig right into this American delicacy, but I could barely stomach being in the same room as this meal.
I made an excuse. “Uh, Daphne stuffed me full of food at lunch, you know? So, I will probably just eat leftovers, if that’s okay?”
I sensed the disappointment in my mom’s voice, but Mom nodded. “Whatever works, sweetie.”
The first unnerving symptom sent me spinning. I changed clothes and drove around aimlessly, saying I was visiting Ellie until I pulled into the local hotdog stand. I knew hotdogs were a no-no when pregnant. So, I ordered the biggest bucket of crinkle fries I could get and a massive slushie.Thissounded amazing. The craving convinced me I was pregnant.
Ellie stood behind me, holding Jane’s hand, “Eva! Oh my god!”
“Hey,” I said, embarrassed to be shoving fries in my mouth alone.
“Oh, can I have a fry?” Jane chirped.
“Yes, sure,” I agreed, knowing Ellie wouldn’t care.
