Page 34 of More Than Enough

“A good night, yes. And a good morning.” With this confession Elizabeth received a smack of shock and amazement from Jessica

“What! Oh, my, gosh! Are you serious?” Jessica was jumping up and down in front of Elizabeth. “Please tell!”

“No. I will not. Some things are secret—amazing secrets—but still secret.” Both girls made eye contact and Jessica squealed in delight, Elizabeth found amusement in her friend’s reaction, gave her a hug, and let her know they needed to get back to work.

It was a great day. Elizabeth was floating on a cloud of happiness full of memories of last night with Jacob. There was nothing that could deflate her mood or bring her back down to earth.

Except for the customer who came in later that afternoon. Stacey. She approached Elizabeth with a serious look on her face. “Do you have a minute? We need to talk.”

Elizabeth put down the stock she was placing on shelves when she saw the serious look painted on Stacey’s face. “Uh, sure. Jessica, I’m gonna step outside for a bit.”

Jessica was checking out a customer, so I just gave her a thumbs up. Stacey turned and walked toward the door and Elizabeth followed.

The girls did not say a word until they got to the benches and bird bath where Elizabeth saw the mated cardinals earlier in the day. Stacey then turned toward her, crossed her arms across her body and shot daggers at Elizabeth. “What the hell are you doing?”

Elizabeth was taken off guard, and seriously confused with the question.

She put her hands up in a questioning gesture. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I understand.”

“You and my brother? He really likes you, but what about being pregnant? Have you had your abortion yet, or are you just gonna string him on and expect him to take in a baby?”

The realization of what Stacey said sent shock waves through Elizabeth. “Please keep your voice down! I haven’t told anyone yet.”

“Yeah, I’m aware of that!”

“Jesus, Stacey. I’m not stringing your brother on. I happen to like him, and no, I haven’t done anything yet. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“When my brother is involved, it is my business.” Stacey was shooting daggers at Elizabeth. “Wait a minute, you’re not planning on having an abortion, are you? You changed your mind. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Stacey, again it is none of your business what I do, but honestly, yes, I have decided to keep it. I wouldn’t ask him to deal with any of this. It is not his problem, so things have gotten a little more difficult.”

“Well, my only concern is Jacob, and I can tell you he doesn’t need another broken heart. So, stop whatever you’re doing with him, and make a decision. Not being honest with him is not fair. I don’t want to make a bigger deal about this than necessary, but you should know he already knows you’re pregnant.”

“What? What do you mean he knows? How does he know? Who told him? When?” Shock and fear were plastered on Elizabeth’s face.

“I told Kristen, and she told him. Thursday. Please just deal with this and let him know what you need to tell him, and soon.” With this Stacey spun around and stalked off across the parking lot.

Elizabeth turned and plopped herself down on the bench watching the cardinals in the bird bath. “I cannot believe he knew Friday night. That must be why there were times he seemed off. What a mess.”

She thought back to the night, and morning, she and Jacob just had together. Realization washed over her. She knew there was no way what they had would be able to become more. She couldn’t and wouldn’t ask him to stay with her as she got fatter, and then after she became a mother. This baby is not his problem, and she wants to make sure it stays that way. He doesn’t need any of this.

Turning, she noticed the cardinals were still in the bird bath. As she watched, the male cardinal looked her way, chirped at his mate, and they flew off together.

Elizabeth walked slowly and thoughtfully back to the boutique. Concern and confusion washed through her.What am I gonna do? Jacob’s gonna hate me or at least be so disappointed.What started out as an amazing weekend, now became a nightmare. She was looking forward to seeing Jacob tonight but not now. She decided to give him a heads up and sent him a text telling him about Stacey’s visit:

Your sister just stopped by the boutique and wasn’t happy. We need to talk tonight.

Okay. What’s going on? Everything alright?

We will talk tonight. I’ll see you soon.

She added a kissy face emoji to her text to make it seem like it wasn’t such a big deal. She waited for an answer from Jacob but didn’t receive one. Watching her phone screen, she realized how nervous she became. Tears started falling from her eyes. Wiping her face, she walked in the door of the boutique and got back to work. She might as well take her mind off the discussion she is about to have with a guy she cares about.

Jessica looked at her as she entered the store. She looked concerned and shot a look at Elizabeth. Elizabeth just smiled at her and went to assist some customers. Luckily the boutique was busy enough, so the girls didn’t have time to talk. Jessica couldn’t ask any questions anyway that Elizabeth wanted to answer.

When Elizabeth got home from work, she quickly went into her house. She needed a cup of coffee and hopefully some time with her mom. Thankfully, her mother was reading a book in the sunroom when Elizabeth walked in, and the smell of fresh coffee filled the air.She grabbed a cup out of the cabinet and said hi to her mom as she filled her cup and fixed her coffee. Her mother looked up as Elizabeth sat down next to her.

Laying her book down, she turned and faced her daughter. “Haven’t seen you much the past couple days. How are you feeling?”

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