Lock the door and talk.

Danny thought for only a moment, before walking to the door. From the corner of her eye she saw Macy about to slip her head into the baggy shirt that had been sitting on the counter. She looked over the woman, looking just as big as she was. Her skin glistened with a glow of motherhood, a glow she herself was trying to keep hidden, and yet somehow this woman made it look easy. All at once, she turned and locked the door. Turning, back she asked. “Okay, suppose I was pregnant?”

“Suppose?” Macy said putting her shirt on but stopping just short of putting it down over her belly.

“Okay, I admit it. I got knocked up alright.” Danny grunted feeling a weight suddenly lift from her soul.

“Thought so.” Macy returned lightly. “How long ago did it happen?”

“The back to school party.”

“Wow.” Macy added doing the quick math, “You must be ready to pop.” She added with a laugh.

Danny was a bit annoyed that the first person she told was laughing at her so she lashed out. “Yeah think?” She growled pulling her own shirt up over her belly.

“Okay, calm down.” Macy urged as she realized her laughter was not helping. “How are you feeling? Truthfully, any pains?” She added as she moved closer.

“Fine-“ Danny started before another spasm in her back caused her to suck air. Unlike the others, this one seemed to go further into her sides. “Except for these lousy back problems.” She grunted.

“Well, you are carrying six pounds around your waist.” Macy added as she placed her hands around Danny’s belly rubbing and feeling it in places. “Are they constant or come and” she paused oddly “go.” She grunted before using her arm to steady herself while her other hand went under her own belly.

“Are you okay?” Danny asked.

“Fine, nothing to worry about.” Macy waved off her concern and straightened up. Still the mask of pain was there because a small line of sweat had built over her face. “Go on.”

“Well, they started this morning and they go and come around every half hour or so. Usually their just annoying, but that last one was different.” She said rubbing the pain out of her left side.

“Different?” Macy asked leaning more of her weight against the counter.

“Yeah, the others were just in my back, this last one was in my sides and stronger.”

“Well, that’s because it’s most likely a contraction. With my first, I didn’t realize what was going on until, well; let’s just say, that I shouldn’t have come home that day.” Suddenly she looked at her watch as she began to stand up straighter again. “Look, class is about to let out, and when it does this place will get really crowded. What class do you have next?” Macy asked.

“English writing. We meet in the Library. Then Life Skills.” The last class she added with a dejected grunt.

“Too little, too late, huh? Same here.” Macy chuckled. Then she pulled her own shirt down. “Well, I suppose the Library is as good a place as any to ride this out. I have a Political Science class I would be missed in next. Want to cut out to the bathroom in the stadium, nobody will look for us there?”

Danny looked at her own watch and then at the small yellow bathroom pass in her hand. Her watch told her there was less than three minutes to the bell and at that point, she wondered what she might do. Macy might cut classes, but she didn’t. In fact she had always maintained that after having the baby, she was going to do the right thing and give it up for adoption. That way she would give the baby a good home and then go on and graduate as planned. She had always thought going to class, every class was important to that goal.