“Did you tell Liam?” she asked.
“I didn’t. I mean I was going to but then he started saying all these nice things, and I just don’t want to ruin our relationship, you know?”
“I understand, but at the same time Ella, I think he deserves to know,” Melanie replied, stirring her drink as she spoke.
“I know, and I wanted to tell him. I asked him if I could come over last night, but he said it wasn’t a good time. But I promise I’ll tell him the next time I see him, okay?”
“Alright,” Mel agreed. “Speaking of last night…I have a little secret of my own that I’ve been keeping.”
“Do tell,” I told her.
“So my boyfriend Austin? A few months ago, we weren’t together. But we were together before that. In other words, for the past year we’ve been on and off. We’ve had…disagreements in our relationship. And they’ve been centered around…” she trailed off.
“Keep going!” I urged.
Melanie took a deep breath, then spoke. “Our baby.”
A blow to the head. That’s what it was. Never in a million years would I have expected bubbly, responsible-seeming Melanie to have gotten knocked up at such a young age with a guy she hadn’t been dating for long.
“Your baby…” I repeated.
“Hallie,” she told me. “My unexpected gift.”
“What?” I said, still somewhat bewildered. I have to admit, I was kind of zoned out thinking about the fact that Melanie had a baby.
“That’s what her name means.”
“Oh. I see.” I was still shocked.
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Melanie said quickly. “And I know this is a lot to add on but…would you want to meet her tonight? And Austin?”
“Um…I guess? Why not?”
“That’s the spirit,” she said sarcastically.
“I’m sorry, it’s not that I’m not excited, it’s just…”
“You never would have expected me to have a kid,” she stated.
“Well…yeah.”
“I know. And I didn’t expect it either. When I found out I was pregnant, sure I was scared. We didn’t know if I could afford it. Austin wanted me to have an abortion, but how could I do that? I just couldn’t justify killing my baby. I swear Ella; she was the most beautiful baby ever. Bright, big caramel eyes, blondish brown curls…and she was so sweet. So peaceful.”
“I understand,” I told her. “I think it’s really good of you to have had her.”
“She’s such a darling. My sister adopted her. She and her husband wanted kids but couldn’t have any themselves, so it’s kind of a win-win situation.”
“That’s really sweet of you,” I told her. “How much do you see her?”
“Every other day, if I’m lucky. But it breaks my heart when she calls me Auntie,” Melanie said, shaking her head.
“Well, on the bright side, she’ll know the truth when she’s older?” I suggested hopefully.
“I suppose so.”
“How much does Austin see her?”
“About the same as me. Sometimes we have her over for sleepovers. He had her last night, and I’m having her tonight, which is why you’ll get to meet her then,” Mel said, shooting me a nice big smile.
“Sounds like a plan,” I told her. “I guess I look forward to it.”
“You’d better. I don’t tell many of my friends about her. She’s kind of my little secret,” Melanie said, smiling bashfully.
“I can imagine,” I replied, laughing lightly.
Melanie took a look at her watch, and then started to gather her belongings and stand. “I’m going over to my sister’s for lunch,” she explained. “I’ll text you when’s a good time to come, alright?”
“Okay. Have fun at lunch!”
“Thanks! Don’t miss me too much!” Mel joked.
“I’ll try,” I joked.
After Melanie left, I sat around for a few moment and watched the world go by. Although I had confided in Melanie, truth be told, my brain wasn’t really less frazzled than it was before.
Maybe it was time to take a walk to clear my head.
YOU ARE READING
A Bucket List for Ella
Teen FictionI had always lived a life of lists. To do lists, to remember lists, goal lists, you name it. Lists were my way of feeling in control, of staying organized. They lowered my stress level and made me feel better in general. So when I found out I ha...
Chapter 20
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