Slender Bridge

by Katrina Clemons

  I changed out of my chef jacket quickly.

  “Mom, I have some errands to run. I’ll be back as soon as possible. But I’m letting you know just in case I come back a little after the lunch service begins. Amy should be here to relieve you shortly, okay?”

  “Okay, hun. Could you grab me some rolls from the bakery on your way back?”

  “Sure thing, mom.”

  I checked my watch as I drove out. I had opted to go to the clinic one town over in Mills Brook. There was less likelihood of me running into anyone I knew. It was a half-hour drive, and the appointment was at ten.

  I took a deep breath as I pulled into the parking lot. My fate for not just the next few months, but for the rest of my natural life, was beyond those doors. In a few moments, I would know the direction my life would take. I took a deep breath and stepped out. I walked through the door and was tempted to walk back out. This would be so much easier if I were not facing it alone. But I had no one with me as no one knew about Scott and me. Clare and Susan had been kept out of the loop. I did not want to hear the ‘I told you so’ and ‘You could have been an item for a year already.’ They were all too willing and ready to put me in a long-standing relationship with Scott. This potential news would add even more drama. The drama was not something I liked.

  I approached the front desk. “Hi. I’m Helen Anderson. I have an appointment.”

  “Oh, yes. Miss Anderson. Is it your first time visiting our facility?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  She handed me a form and a pen. “Could you kindly fill this out for our records?”

  I filled in the required information and handed it back.

  “Next, I need to take your particulars. Your height and weight and urine sample. It’s standard for all new clients.”

  Dutifully I went through the process. I exited the restroom having made the requested sample deposit.

  “Okay. Just have a seat. You will be called in a few minutes.”

  I took a seat and looked around at the various posters. For the first time, I paid attention to the ones pertaining to pregnancy. I tapped my foot nervously as I waited for my name to be called.

  “The first one is always nerve-wracking, you know.”

  I looked up at the woman who spoke. “Excuse me?”

  “The anxiety and not being sure, and coming in for the confirmation. Then there’s going to be watching your body every day until it begins to change. It’s all worth it when you hold that little bundle, though.”

  “I-I-I…”

  “I’m on my fourth. And you look the same way I looked when I sat in this very spot waiting to hear about my first. It can be a bit intimidating. But we’re built for it. Just take it one day at a time. I hope you get Dr. Hinds. He’s excellent.” The woman stood and waddled to the front desk. She collected a package and bid the nurse farewell. As she passed, she patted me on the shoulder.

  “You’ll be fine.”

  I watched as she exited. How had she known?

  “Miss Anderson? Dr. Hinds will see you in room seven. Straight down the corridor and take the first right turn, Room seven will be on your left.

  I gathered my belongings and trudged along the corridor slowly. With each step toward room seven, my heart beat faster and faster. I wanted the store-ought tests to be wrong. I wanted the expert to tell me that all five of them were faulty. This was my last chance of getting a reprieve. I started to plan how I would step up my birth control regimen when I got a negative diagnosis. The other options would be to get Scott to wear protection, or to stay away from him altogether. I did not see the latter happening.

  I knocked on door number seven and entered when directed.

  “Good morning, Miss Anderson. How may I assist you today?” Dr. Hinds was a mild-mannered man in his forties. He had a bald head and wore glasses. I couldn’t help but smile as he looked like a cartoon character. I took an immediate liking to him.

  I had gotten my story together about feeling a bit off and wanting to get a general check-up, which just happened to include a pregnancy test. It all flew out of my head in an instant, and before I knew it, the whole story came tumbling out. I had to give him credit as he sat and listened to me blubber. Out of nowhere, the tears started, and he conjured up a box of tissue. When I was sufficiently recovered, he gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder.

  “Well, now that I know what you’re here for specifically, let’s get that out of the way, shall we?”

  He performed a series of tests and examinations and asked some rather probing questions. I got dressed and rejoined him in the main office space. I clasped my hands and awaited the verdict.

  “Well, Miss Anderson, the tests will be back in a day or two, but from the pelvic exam and what you’ve told me if you are pregnant, you would be approximately six weeks along.”

  “I take birth control. I’ve been taking birth control for years now. How can I be pregnant?”

  He smiled, then chuckled. “Even the best ones can’t claim more than ninety-nine percent effectiveness, you know. Guess who gets the prize today for falling in the one percent failure range.”

  I burst into tears. “How can you joke about something so serious.”

  He reached across and patted my hand as he handed me some tissue. “Because, my dear, life is glorious and should be lived every day to its fullest. And there is nothing that should ever supersede the blessing that it is to open your eyes each day. You will get over the shock of it. Whatever the circumstances are between you and your partner, you will get over that as well. Time is a great healer and softener of blows. You will be okay.”

  I looked as his gentle grey eyes twinkled behind the glasses. Somehow I felt at ease. A tiny smile crept out.

  “There you go. Such a gorgeous smile and such pretty dimples! I want to see that more often.” He pulled a notepad towards him and started scribbling. He tore off the sheet and handed it to me. “This is a round of vitamins and minerals that I want you to begin taking. Get it filled on your way out. We will set an appointment as soon as the results are back. And then it’s a simple waiting process for the next seven and a half months.”

  I took the slip and stood. I took a deep breath and smiled. “Thank you.”

  He smiled and nodded. “You’re welcome, my dear. You’ll be fine.”

  I walked back to the front desk and handed over the prescription. I sat and waited, my brain in a fog. When I collected the medication and was on my way back to Creek Town, the reality started to sink in. I slowly realized that this was real, and there was nothing I could do about it. And if it was real, it meant involving those around me: my family and friends.

  Dr. Hinds had said that he would call me the next day. I had another twenty-four hours before I needed to say anything to anyone. Until then, I would just have some me-time.

  I stopped at the bakery and picked up the rolls for my mother. In a few minutes, I was back in my jacket and my kitchen haven. Scott had texted just before the dinner service started. I had made an excuse about being a bit overworked and would prefer having him come over in a day or two. I made it clear that tonight was out of the question.

  I spent a second night at home, contemplating my condition. The call tomorrow would be the final straw. After that, I would make the necessary adjustments.

  I was assisting with washing up after the breakfast service when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I quickly dried my hands and answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello. May I speak with Helen Anderson, please?”

  My heart skipped a beat at the formal tone. “Speaking.” I stepped outside and walked toward the bench.

  “Please hold for Dr. Hinds.”

  I nibbled my nail nervously as I waited.

  “Hello? Miss Anderson?”

  “Hi, Dr. Hinds.”

  “The results are in.” He paused. “Congratulations. In seven and a half months, you will have a boy or girl, or maybe one of each.” He chuckled.

&nb
sp; I gasped. “Twins?”

  He laughed. “That’s just a little OB/GYN humor. It’s too early to tell that, my dear. But you are most definitely pregnant: around six to six and a half weeks. We are looking at a due date of early March. Would you like to set your next appointment now?”

  “Sure.”

  I sounded surprisingly calm to my ears. But I had gone numb since the word ‘congratulations’. He transferred the call to the front desk, and I went through the motions of setting up the next appointment, which was in a week. When I ended the call, I immediately texted Susan and Clare, inviting them over for dinner at my place. Tonight was one of my early nights off. When I went back inside, I pulled my mother aside and invited her over as well. I played it off as a ‘girls’ night’. I texted Scott afterward to let him know tonight was also out of the question as my girls were coming over. I needed to begin putting distance between him and me. This was even more crucial because of his departure in a week and a half. I would figure out where we went from there. We. I was already a ‘we’.

  I looked around the table as my mother and friends joked around. I had missed these little sessions. It seemed as if it had been ages since we had last been able to sit around like this. It had been hard with all the sneaking around I had been doing lately. But all of that was about to change. I took a deep breath and spoke.

  “Mum? Clare? Susan? I have something to tell you all.” Three pairs of eyes turned toward me. I gulped. How was I going to do this? There was no way but directly.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  Silence greeted me. I watched as they looked at each other then at me. Their faces went through the whole gamut of being puzzled and blank, then transitioning all the way to surprise and realization. Clare screamed.

  “Congratulations, hun! I’m so happy for you! Wait a minute! Are you happy for you?”

  I nodded slowly. She screamed again and jumped up. She pulled me into her arms. “I’m so happy for you!”

  Susan and my mother joined the embrace, and I started to cry. Then they started to cry.

  “We’re just one big sobbing mess of women, aren’t we,” Susan blubbered.

  We moved to the living room. They put me in the center of the couch. Susan sat to my left, my mother on my right, and Clare plopped herself down at my feet. I braced for the interrogation. The questions came fast.

  “How far along are you?”

  “Six weeks.”

  “How long have you known?”

  “Just a few days.”

  “Was that the errand you went on?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is it a boy or girl?”

  “It’s too early to tell.”

  “Who’s the father? It’s not what’s his face, right?” Clare knitted her brows.

  “You didn’t get back together with that creep, did you?” Susan chimed in.

  I looked from one to the other. I swallowed hard.

  “Helen, who’s the father?” My mother spoke in that quiet tone that always made me straighten up. I hung my head. I opened my mouth to speak, and no words came out. Tears sprang to my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

  “Helen?” Clare spoke sharply. “You do know who the father is, right?”

  I nodded as I wiped the tears from my eyes.

  “So?” Susan prodded. “Who is it?”

  “Scott,” I whispered.

  “Dawson!?” Clare practically screamed.

  I cut my eyes at her. “Say it again, Clare. I don’t think all of Creek Town heard you.”

  “I’m sorry, hun. I’m just shocked. I mean, after what happened in Miami, I just didn’t think…”

  Susan cut in, “but I did. Remember to name her Susana, hun.” She reached over to rub my belly. “Hello, little Sue. Big Sue can’t wait to meet you.”

  “Is that the fellow you were with in the parking lot a few weeks ago?” My mother asked quietly. I looked at her face. It was inscrutable.

  “Yes.”

  “Does he know?”

  I looked down and shook my head. “No. And I don’t intend to tell him.”

  “The hell you won’t. I will, then. Let me just ask Michael for his number.”

  “Clare,” I gave her a warning look. “Don’t you dare.”

  She stared at me, and I stared her down. She finally dropped her eyes. I looked from one to the other.

  “I don’t intend to tell Scott. He does not want to have children, and the last thing I want is to turn his world upside down. I’m going to have this child. Scott will not be a part of it. Got that?”

  “Good luck explaining that line of reasoning to your father. He’ll more than likely be on the next plane to New York.”

  I shivered. I had not thought about my father’s reaction. I pursed my lips.

  “I’ll take care of daddy. But I just wanted to let the persons closest to me know about this major development in my life. And ask for your support.”

  “Aww, hun. You know you can count on us.”

  “Thank you, guys. And mums the word. No one needs to know until it is evident, okay?”

  “Our lips are sealed.” My mother patted my hand and smiled gently. “I’m going to be a grandmother. Wow! I’m going to have to go shopping for my cane and walker now.”

  We burst into laughter. I sat looking at the women around me. This journey into motherhood as a single mother would be easier with their support.

  Chapter 15 – Scott

  It felt as if I had not seen Helen in a month. It was the longest three days of my life. I looked at the message I had gotten from Helen the day before. I was happy she was spending time with her girls, but her man needed her. I knew what she was tying to do. It was not lost on either of us that my extension had come to an end, and it was time for me to get back to the reality of my screen life in New York. This was her way of putting space between us to make the separation less painful.

  There was no doubt that the past weeks with Helen had been fantastic. And for the first time in all my relationships, I didn’t want to see it end. And I had no intention of ending it. I think Vivian’s predictions had finally caught up with me. I had found someone who had captured my heart.

  I had wracked my brain around how to make a long-distance relationship work. Either of us relocating was out of the question. I had decided to sit and work out the logistics of a weekend-on-weekend-off scenario, where we would rotate weekends back and forth. We would play my film schedule by ear as the need arose. But the prospect of leaving Helen in ten days did not sit well with me. We had to make it work somehow.

  Let’s go out for dinner tonight, baby.

  I waited for the response. If she did not respond in a few minutes, I would have to call. The phone buzzed.

  Sure. No problem.

  My face lit up.

  I’ll pick you up around seven. Wear that pretty green dress that you wore when we went dancing at Gloria’s.

  I grinned as I remembered the dress I spoke of. It was a deep shade of hunter green and contrasted beautifully with her complexion. It had a silky sheen to it and clung to her every curve from neck to hip, then flared out to just above her knees. The front was an innocent-looking neckline, but the back had a series of criss-cross straps that had tantalizing glimpses of her flawless skin peeking out. It had been interesting getting it off her later that night. It was a challenge I looked forward to again tonight.

  Okay.

  I can’t wait to see you, baby. These three days have felt like forever.

  I can’t wait to see you either. Have to go—heavy breakfast service and short-staffed.

  I could come by and give a hand. I can wash dishes. I promise to behave. You would never even know I’m there.

  Lol. What happened to you remaining incognito? I’ll be fine. See you at seven.

  I waited for the kissy face emoji she usually sent at the end of our conversations. None came. She must be extremely busy.

  I spent the rest of the morning making a few calls to get things rea
dy for my return the following week. I then looked up a few restaurants and found a quaint little Italian place about forty-five minutes away and one town over in a place called Mills Brook. We had maintained the unspoken agreement that when we went out, it was not in Creek Town. We did not want to run the risk of being discovered close to her home. I called and made the reservation for eight.

  I spent the afternoon doing some light shopping online. I found myself looking at items that I thought would suit Helen. Before I knew it, I had bought her a necklace, a pair of diamond earrings, a purse, and a pair of sneakers I knew she had fallen in love with one night when we were browsing online. They would be delivered the next day. It was a weird feeling shopping for a woman. I had never done this in all the years I had been with my other girlfriends. But Helen was different. She was not in the girlfriend category, that was for sure. But what exactly was she then? Was it possible that I was beginning to see myself in a long term relationship with her? I blanched at the possibility. Was I ready to settle down?

  All too soon, I was getting ready for dinner. I drove out at exactly six forty-five and was knocking on her door by five minutes to seven. She opened it in her bare feet and turned away immediately.

  “I just need to put on my shoes on and grab my purse.”

  I watched as she walked away. Her backside never failed to hold my attention. The dress seemed to have been sprayed on from shoulder to hip, and then became a swirl around her thighs. I wanted to run my tongue along the little sections of skin that showed beneath the crisscrossed straps. But that would guarantee that we would be late for our reservation, or not make it at all. Not to worry, after dinner, would be another opportunity to act on that desire.

  “Ready.” She re-entered the room, and a grin lit up my face. What did I do to deserve having this woman in my life? Not only was she beautiful to look at, but she had a beautiful heart as well. My chest expanded as she drew close. She peeked up at me through her lashes and gave a tiny smile.