I started the truck and almost had to laugh when “Truck Yeah” began playing. Damn it, Jeff.
Ellie reached over and turned it off. “Shit, I thought Gunner deleted that damn song!”
I pulled out and headed down the long driveway. My hands started to shake, and I felt like I was going to cry again. I glanced over at Ellie as her mouth fell open.
“Why are we going to town, Ari?”
“Um…well. ” I let out a small laugh as I shook my head. “Emma seems to think that I might be pregnant, and she wants me to get a test…like tonight. ”
Heather and Ellie let out a gasp at the same time.
“Fuck me!” Heather said in almost a whisper.
With wide eyes, I stared at Heather through the rearview mirror. “Wow, Heather, one road trip with Josh, and you’re dropping the F-bomb. ”
Ellie looked confused. “Wait…what road trip? Oh my god! Are you and Josh. ”
“No!” Heather yelled. “It’s a long story and one I don’t feel like talking about. Okay, so back to you, Ari. You told me you missed a pill last weekend. How can you know that fast?”
I took a deep breath and prepared myself for a really big lecture.
“Well, um I kind of might have missed a pill or two about a month and a half ago. ”
“What?” Ellie and Heather shouted at the same time.
“Ari, how could you be so stupid?” Ellie asked.
I glanced at Ellie. Why is she being so mean? I felt my eyes burning from trying to hold back the tears.
“It’s not like I did it on purpose, Ellie! What the fuck?”
“Stop it, both of you!” Heather cried out. “Let’s just go to the store, buy a test, and find out once and for all. We’ll deal with the what-ifs later. ”
I looked at Ellie, and we both tried to smile at each other.
“Ari, sweets, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how hard the last week has been on you with this whole Rebecca shit,” Ellie said.
I cleared my throat getting ready to pitch my idea. I might as well get it over with.
“Um, yeah…speaking of that…I’m gonna need to call another code blue for Monday. I have a doctor’s appointment with my gynecologist. I need y’all to be there with me. ”
“Of course, we’ll be there with you. I don’t have anything going on. Shit, I’m supposed to still be on my honeymoon,” Ellie said.
Heather added, “I’m free, too. Count me in. Wait…is something wrong? I thought you just went in for your yearly a few months ago. ”
My hands started to shake again. I told them my original reason for going in, and then I explained my plan.
By the time I pulled up to the small grocery store in town, Ellie and Heather were just sitting there silently staring at me.
“Oh. My. God. You must be pregnant because you’ve lost your damn mind, Ari!” Ellie finally said as she jumped out of the truck.
“Wait. Why do I have to wear a low-cut blouse?” Heather said as she shut the door to the truck.
“Jesus, I’ll explain it all later. Let’s just get this shit over with. ” I sighed.
***
After we got back into the truck, I looked at the six tests that I had in the bag. I looked at Ellie and then Heather. We were all just staring at each other.