Page 80 of One Time Player

“About eleven weeks,” I wince. “I was supposed to go for the ultrasound sooner but I was panicking. Sorry, I didn’t tell you guys. I had a lot of processing to do. It obviously wasn’t planned, but I really want this baby.”

“You don’t need to apologize. We just want to be there for you,” Daddy assures.

“I know and I appreciate you all so much.” We have a group hug.

Christina walks into the kitchen. “I don’t mean to interrupt but I have the food in the warmer. I’m worried it will dry out.”

“Let’s go sit down for dinner. Truth is I’m starving,” I state.

“Sure,” Mom agrees and we all head over to the kitchen table. I didn’t live in New York all my life but my parents brought this old table when we moved from Chicago. It’s a dark distressed wood with matching chairs and the softest pillowy seats. We’ve had very memorable meals around this table.

“I don’t mean to pry, but is Hayworth in the picture?” Daddy asks.

“It’s complicated. We weren’t really together. I don’t want to pressure him into being with me or feeling obligated about the baby.”

“But it is his obligation, Patty,” Daddy stresses.

“I know, but I haven’t told him. Like I said, after what I went through, I’ve been kind of terrified. I still don’t know if everything is okay with the baby. I wanted to get through these first few months and know all is good before I tell him.”

“Okay, I don’t want to tell you what to do, but I know my guys well. Evan was happy when you guys were hanging out. I get that it was against team policy, and we may be faced with fallout,” Daddy begins.

“I don’t plan on returning to the team next season. I think it would be better if I worked in a private practice with Rebel. We’ve already spoken. She’s been trying to convince me to work in her clinic since I was in school.”

“If that’s what makes you happy,” Daddy says. “You know I’ll support anything you need.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” I give his hand a squeeze. “I think we should keep the pregnancy under wraps until the season ends. It makes sense.”

“Patty, if we get far in the finals the season can end in June. I don’t see how you’ll be able to hide a pregnancy when you’re that far along,” Mom reminds.

“Good point, I don’t know. My head has been spinning. I was throwing up a lot at the beginning and just feeling so tired. I’m clearly not thinking straight.”

“Do you need a leave now?” Daddy asks. “Because if you do, just say the words. Your health comes before the team.”

“I’m okay,” I assure. “I want to keep working. It’s good for me. At least when I am working, I’m not inside my head. I plan on telling Evan after the ultrasound. I don’t have a real plan past that because I don’t know how things will go.” I blow out a harsh breath and feel the shake in my voice. I just want to hear that my baby is healthy but until I do I feel like I’m an emotional mess.

“I have a client who is an obstetrician. Why don’t I ask him to squeeze you in for an ultrasound? I’m pretty sure that at eleven weeks they can see a lot. We can always go back in a couple of weeks and get another screening.”

“That would be great, Mom, thanks.”

“Of course.” She blinks.

We continue to eat our food. The table falls silent and I guess my family is processing the news. Christina made spaghetti as the side dish, which is perfect for my need to have carbs.

“I’m here for you too, Patty. I’m just a phone call away,” Kevin offers.

“I know and I appreciate you,” I say to my brother. “I appreciate all of you. If everything does go okay, I have the team to worry about. I don’t want this hurting Evan’s career. He’s a good guy and he’s worked hard.”

“Shouldn’t you leave that decision to Evan?” Daddy asks.

Kevin agrees with him.

“I know Evan. He’ll want to choose me. I can’t let him do that.”

“You do what feels right,” Mom says.

After dinner Mom messages her client the doctor and he tells her to bring me in tomorrow at noon, during his lunch hour.

“But I have to prep for tomorrow’s home game,” I respond.

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