The Senior (College Years 4)

I haven’t been this content in a long time.

Her expression changes, turning serious. “I probably need to go home.”

“Tonight?” I frown.

“No, but tomorrow for sure. And eventually…we need to tell them about the baby,” she whispers.

“We’ll do it this weekend. Sunday,” I say, thinking about how I’m going to buy her a ring tomorrow. That’ll work out perfectly. We’ll be engaged, ready to become a family, and her parents will totally approve of that. Me stepping up and taking care of my responsibilities.

That should satisfy them.

“Okay,” she says, her smile shaky. “It’ll be weird, going home and knowing what I know, yet not telling them.”

“You want to tell them sooner?” Whatever she wants, I’m game.

I’ll do whatever my girl wants.

“No, Sunday makes the most sense. You have practice every afternoon and then your game. I can wait.” She touches her stomach, filling me with the need to do the same, but I can’t reach her. “I hope they’ll be happy for us.”

“Why wouldn’t they? We’re going to give them their first grandbaby.” I start chuckling, I can’t help it. “Damn, Jake’s gonna be pissed. He likes being first in everything. Looks like I’m going to beat him.”

Ava rolls her eyes. “It’s not a competition, Eli. And I don’t think Jake will be mad. Pretty sure he’s not ready for babies yet.”

“It’ll still be fun, beating him in the grandchild race.” I can’t stop grinning.

Neither can Ava, even though she’s shaking her head at me.

Everything’s going to be all right.

I can just feel it.

Thirty-Six

Ava

I’m at my parents’ house when I wake up in the middle of the night with the urge to pee. I slip into my bathroom in the dark, sitting on the toilet and peeing when I hear something heavier than urine drop into the toilet. Grabbing some toilet paper, I wipe and look at it.

Even in the dim light, from the tiny nightlight in the room, I can tell it’s blood.

Panic racing through me, I waddle over to the wall and turn on the lights, glancing into the toilet before I sit back down and see…

More blood.

“Oh no, oh no,” I whisper, grabbing more toilet paper so I can wipe.

Red again.

After I flush the toilet, I grab a pantyliner from the cabinet under the sink and put it in my panties, then wash my hands. I stare at my reflection, see the fear in my gaze and think to myself, what do I do now?

I never told my parents I’m pregnant. They have no clue. Mom knows I’ve gotten back with Eli and she supports my decision, but I never told her what else is going on.

I was too scared.

Rushing back into my bedroom, I grab my phone and send a text to Eli.

Me: Please call me.

I sit on the edge of my bed, chewing nervously on my fingernail. Blood could mean nothing. Or it could mean I’m having a miscarriage.