My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Terri’s sweet giggle. I turned to see her leaning against the kitchen island, an oversized shirt draping over her slim frame. She looked heavenly, what with her hair a little tousled from sleep.
“Good morning,” she said sweetly with a beautifully bright smile.
“Morning,” I chuckled. I held up the pan of frying eggs stupidly. “Do these need to be fully cooked? I was just about to Google it. Can you have coffee? Or is that bad for the baby? I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Terri threw her head back and laughed. “The eggs need to be fully cooked, but I am allowed a small cup of coffee.”
I let out a relieved sigh. “Oh, okay. That’s good.”
She took a seat upon the island stool and rested her elbows on the counter’s surface. “Are you this sweet to all your overnight guests?” she chided.
I cleared my throat, suddenly sheepish. It wasn’t exactly a secret that I used to get around, so I wasn’t surprised when Terri had mentioned it. A part of me felt a little embarrassed, mainly because I didn’t want her to get the impression that she didn’t matter or that she was just another notch in my belt. “Just you,” I answered. “I haven’t been with any one in quite some time.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. My reputation when I was fresh out of high school kind of followed me around for a while. Even your brother believes I’m a bit of a player.”
“I find it hard to imagine women would want to stay away from you.”
“They don’t. I just choose to keep them at arm’s length. I’ve got the garage, you know? Don’t really have that much time for a personal life.”
I dished everything up and placed her breakfast in front of her. The grin she wore lit up her entire face.
“Thanks,” she giggled. “I can’t remember the last time someone made me a meal.”
“Chris never did?” I asked before thinking.
Terri stiffened, freezing mid-bite. She shook her head slowly. “He wasn’t as… considerate.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “The guy sounds like a real winner.”
“Hindsight’s twenty-twenty, right?” she attempted to laugh.
“Well, at least you don’t have to deal with him anymore. He probably would have been nothing but deadweight by the time the baby came around.” I pushed the plate closer to her, encouraging her to eat. “Help yourself to more if you want. You’re eating for two.”
“Thanks, Joe. For everything.”
“There’s no need to thank me.”
“There really is,” Terri protested. “You’ve been really sweet to me, supportive. I really needed that.”
Her genuine words warmed my heart. It was hard not to look at Terri and feel a giddy happiness bubble up in my chest. She was both beautiful and intelligent, but most importantly, she had a kind soul. It pained me to know that she’d been struggling, to know that the tiniest bit of decency on my part was all she needed to lift her spirits. If I had it my way, I’d make sure that she’d never feel down, never have to worry ever again.
“Terri,” I said slowly, stretching out her name as I tried to think of something to say.
“Yes, Joe?”
“I know I’m probably doing this out of order, but do you want to grab dinner with me? And not just as neighbors or friends catching up. Dinner dinner. If you want, you know? No pressure.”
“Are you asking me on a date?” she giggled, amusement flashing across her eyes.
“Yeah,” I coughed, “yeah, I guess I am. Is that… Is that cool?”
Terri nodded, her brilliant smile stretching across her face. “I’d like that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I mean, as long as you don’t mind me bringing along this little third wheel.” Terri patted her stomach. “I don’t want things to get awkward.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Are you free later this week? I’ve got a couple of job interviews I need to get to, but I’m free Saturday evening.”
“Saturday evening works for me,” I told her.
8
Terri
My father called me for the first time since I told him I was pregnant. Apparently, Max had been doing his best to get my parents to come down to the city for a visit. My protective older brother had arranged for all of us to meet at a local restaurant in the hopes that we could all talk. Even though the restaurant’s atmosphere was lively and fine, full of bright conversations, the sound of utensils clinking about, and the soft jazz music playing over the speakers, the air felt cold and tense. We were sat in a corner booth, my mother and father on one side and Max and I on the other. My father hadn’t spoken a word while my mother simply couldn’t stop talking.
“Have you been eating well?” she asked me. “Food in the city is so much more expensive. How has the job search been going? Any luck so far? Max said he found your apartment at the last minute. Is the building okay? Did you remember to get it inspected before you signed the lease? You look tired, mija. Have you been sleeping enough?”