“I’m pregnant again,” Lauren said flatly. “That night in Orlando, before Nick and I got into the fight, he got me pregnant.”
“Are you sure?” Jessica questioned.
“Yeah, I went to see the doctor six days ago,” Lauren sighed. “How am I going to tell Nick?”
“You haven’t told him yet?” Jessica exclaimed.
“No. He won’t want to keep it. How can I explain to him that I can’t give this baby up?”
“Why can’t you?”
“You know how I feel about abortion, and I wouldn’t be able to give birth to my child and then give it away, so adoption is out of the picture.”
“Tell him that.”
“Jess, you’re not understanding me. I can’t do this to him. I can’t tell him he’s going to have another kid just when he’s finally straightening his life out. I can’t burden him like that.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me! This is his kid, too, Lauren. He’s half-responsible!” Jessica exclaimed.
“I know, but-“
“But what?”
Lauren was silent. “I guess you’re right, but I still can’t do it.”
“You have to.”
They talked for several more minutes before Lauren decided to go home. Despite Jessica’s pleas, she was going to keep it a secret from Nick for a little while longer. She started her car and pulled it out of the driveway, trying to figure out where to go. She couldn’t face him after her outburst this morning. Tears blurred her vision as she pulled onto the freeway. She didn’t even see the semi in her way when she went to change lanes.