Page 24 of Grace's Redemption

Five

GRACE

Well, I’m not sick. Not simply nauseous and the heat wasn't getting to me.

That's right.

I'm pregnant.

Holy Shit!!

I drove to a drug store in Maryland to get a pregnancy test. I got four actually and tested them all.

My first instinct was disbelief. Second, excitement and then dread set in. I threw all the tests in a bag and decided denial, for the moment, would be the best course of action.

I headed downstairs and headed toward the garage. As I pulled out, Papa Scott pulled into the garage on his bike.

“Grace.” Papa Scott’s voice bellowed over the sound of his machine. He shut it down. “Where you going?”

“Meeting Mauri for coffee.”

He nodded and climbed off his bike.

“I want you to stay away from the clubhouse for awhile.” He put his hand on my shoulder.

“Why?”

He narrowed his eyes.

I narrowed my eyes.

I didn’t usually question him, but with what Mattie had said, something was going down. “Are you and Mattie in trouble?”

“No.” He hugged me to him. “Nothing like that.”

He kissed the top of my head.

“Just for now, until this Viper mess is cleared up.” He patted my back and stared down at me.

"What?" His stared made the hairs on my neck stand to attention.

"You look pretty today." He shrugged and headed toward the house.

I pulled my phone out and called Mattie, but it went to voicemail.

I typed a text, but deleted it.

The other night either embarrassed him or he was caught up in what ever was going on, either way he ignored me.

I drove to the closest gas station and disposed of the evidence and drove back home. By the time I got back, Papa and his bike were gone.

I had news and no one to tell it to.

I stayed in my room for the rest of the week. I was tired and pissed off. Greta, Papa Scott's wife and Mattie's mom, would ask me occasionally what was wrong.

I couldn’t tell her. I stay to myself.

I couldn't tell any of my girlfriends because I didn’t really have any.