Page 53 of Upshot

I open the door to find her standing with narrowed eyes, Pete standing right behind her. Stepping back, I gesture for them to come in. I’ve managed to take off my suit jacket. I’m pulling off my tie when she hits me full force in the shoulder.

“What the hell, Henry?” she says.

“You know I had to. I’m sorry I blindsided you.”

“Henry,” Geneva exclaims, taking my face in both hands. “Henry Randolph.” She shakes her head. Then she smacks my cheek hard enough to turn it red.

“I think what she’s trying to say in that weird alien way of hers is, good job—” Pete begins.

“Shut up, asshat,” Geneva says, cutting him off. Her gaze locks on mine. “I can’t… You…”

“She’s so proud of you,” Pete interprets. If he’s not careful, he’s going to get hurt doing that. Weirdly though, my sister just laughs. Then cries. Then laugh cries, if that’s a thing.

“You big idiot.” She must be gearing up for one of her rarely-heard congratulatory speeches. I once got one that included one hell of a frogged thigh. “I never thought I’d see the day you would choose your happiness over him,” she continues. “You’re going to have such an amazing life.”

“We’ll see. So far, Brontë won’t even read my text messages.”

Geneva hits me again in the shoulder. “I forgot you’re a dickhead. What did you say to her?”

“It’s not what you think.”

“Why don’t you tell us exactly what it is then?” Pete says.

We move to the living room and sit down. I take a deep breath, then I tell them. Everything.

They already know how Brontë got pregnant, so no need to rehash that. I pick up the story from our trip to Austin. I tell them about the shopping trip, the pool, and the time we’ve spent together. I tell them about the day I said I love you. And then I tell them about the fight with my father. When I’m done, we lapse into silence.

“Well,” Geneva finally says, “she’s just going to have to listen to you. That’s all there is to it.” She says it as if it’s just that easy. For her, it probably would be. It would involve abject terror on the part of the other person, but she’d be heard in the end. I’m a little more subtle than my sister. The best I can do is follow through on my promise to stay in Dansboro Crossing.

“What do you need us to do?” Pete asks. “I can try and contact her on your behalf. She still likes me.”

I laugh. Not because it’s funny, but because this entire thing is insane. A year ago, I was a single, successful person, living in an upscale condo, driving fast cars, and concerned only with what deal would make the most money.

In a month, I’ll be a dad, living in a small town, and will probably own some form of a minivan. And that sounds better than anything I’ve done before I met Brontë.

“Thanks, but I’ve got this. If you can just help me get everything closed down here, I’d appreciate it.”

“That I can do,” Pete says. “After I have a beer.”

We sit around my kitchen island and try to avoid making plans. If I start thinking about what I’m doing, I’m afraid I’ll panic. It’s a lot.

Except for school, I’ve lived in this city my entire life. But this isn’t school. This time, I’m moving forever. From now on, I’ll be wherever Brontë and our baby are. Did I mention it’s a lot?

We’re two beers in when there’s a knock on my door. There are only two other people with access past the doorman who aren’t here. My stomach clenches as I cross the room. I don’t want to fight anymore. I’ve said everything to my father I need to say.

“Mom?” She’s standing at the door when I open it. I stand aside so she can come in, then stick my head out to check the hall.

“I’m here by myself,” she says, reading my concern.

“What are you doing here?” My mother has also never visited me at home. I always just went to their house if I wanted to see her.

“I wanted to see if there is any way I can talk you out of this.”

“We’re going to head out,” Pete says. He kisses my mother on the cheek. “Mrs. Randolph, you look as lovely as ever.”

“Thank you, Peter.” She laughs. “And you’re just as charming as ever.”

After a few more exchanges, he leaves with Geneva. I usher Mom into the living room. I open a bottle of sparkling water and pour it into a glass. Returning to the living room with my beer and her water, I find her sitting on the edge of the couch.

---