Mistaken Identity (Identity 1)

“Hey.” The soft spoken word brought his head up.

Kansas looked nervous and unsure dressed in the black maxi dress he’d found in the closet and put on hastily. This subdued version of the woman with the large personality didn’t fit. Like an image distorted in fun house image, she was off.

“Hey.” He stood. “You ready to go?”

“Yes.” She glanced down at the floor. Do I touch her, or give her space? The forlorn expression she wore decided for him. He wrapped an arm around her waist, bringing her to his side. Her body stiffened, and he held his breath. Will she pull away? An awkwardness that’d never existed between them materialized. The hush was louder than any noise as they shuffled out of the hospital like zombies. He led her to the navy colored rental car, opened the door, and helped her inside. Entering on the driver’s door he took a seat behind the wheel, buckled up and started the engine.

“I need to go to the pharmacy.”

“For prenatal vitamins?”

“Yes, but we need to go to the one a few towns over.”

“Smart thinking. Loose lips sink ships. Do you want to direct me, or should I use the GPS on my phone?”

“I’m not an invalid!”

“I didn’t say you were, Kansas.” Mood swing. He’d seen his older sister pregnant enough times to know how pregnancy wrought havoc on a woman’s body. Besides, he was trying to win her over, not push her away. The tick in her jaw told him to tread cautiously.

“Just turn left out of the parking lot. I’ll tell you when to turn again.”

This is going to be a tense car ride.

Thirty minutes later they were back at the house. Kansas took her first prenatal vitamin and crawled in to bed. The light snore told him she was down for the count so he took off his mask. His throat tightened, and his eyes welled with tears. A tiny life grew in her belly. With his adrenaline rush from earlier gone he was crashing, hard. What am I going to do if she doesn’t come around? The cell phone in his pocket seemed to burn a hole in his pocket. I need to talk to someone. Scott couldn’t hold water, and his big sister Sky would skin him alive for ending up in this predicament. Unable to sleep, he left the bedroom. He paced the length of the living room, turned and repeated like a washer stuck on spin cycle. Aiden! I’ve never appreciated my best friend and honorary brother, so much in my life.

Digging into his pants pocket he pulled the phone free, walked through the house, out the back door, and placed the call.

“Hey man, what’s going on?”

“Thank God you picked up. I’m freaking the fuck out!”

“Whoa. What happened! I thought Lis got out of the hospital?”

“Yeah, she did. This isn’t about her. It’s Kansas.”

“What happened?”

“I knocked her up.”

Rich laughter filled his ears. “Oh, t-that’s a good one Jett.” Aiden gasped for air.

Jett’s upper lip curled up as he huffed. “I’m not kidding, dude.”

“W-What! You didn’t use a condom?”

“Yeah. They’re not one-hundred percent.”

“I know, but … wow.”

“You’re telling me.”

“I hate to play devil’s advocate.” Aiden hesitated. “But … are you sure?”

“I’m damn sure. And that better be the last time you ask. You understand?” Jett gritted his teeth. He’s just trying to look out for you. Don’t rip his head off for it.

“Crystal clear … what are you going to do?”

“If it was up to me we’d be headed down to the courthouse tomorrow.” He shook his head.