Life's Full of Surprises
PG-13
As of late Mary had been finding herself in impossible situations. Impossible situations personally and professionally. Everything had been going well for her. Very well. She was at exactly the place that she wanted to be in life. She was satisfied and she was happy. And absolutely crazy about this guy she was seeing. Joe was everything that she had envisioned in a husband. Everything. Things were going so well for her.
And then there was Dan. He seemed to pop back into her life as quickly as he had left it. With his return he brought fourth feelings that she thought were long gone. Mary was torn. For the first time in a really long time she didn't know how to make the right decision. However her current predicament could lead her to making a decision and making one rather quickly.
She was uncertain of who to turn to in a delicate situation like this. Mr. Gant had crossed her mind several times in the past two days. And why shouldn't he? She knew that she could always count on him. He was kind and gentle and most importantly he wouldn't judge her. Judgement was the very last thing she needed. And then Sue Ann crossed her mind, Briefly. And then onto Georgette. That thought was also quickly put from her mind. SO Mary did the only thing she could do. She called Rhoda.
Mary had been pacing back and forth in her living room for...she couldn't even remember how long. Speaking with Rhoda always put her mind at ease. But usually her problems were smaller than this. Usually her problems didn't involve two men and a possible pregnancy. And for that Rhoda had told her she was taking the next plane to Minneapolis. So Mary paced and paced and paced as she waited for her friend to arrive.
After what felt like centuries there was a knock at the door. Mary rushed to the door and opened it.
"Hiya, kid!" Rhoda beamed at her. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes."
Mary embraced Rhoda in an all consuming hug immediately. "I'm so glad you're here."
Rhoda hugged her back. "I didn't want you to be alone."
"I could have called Mr. Grant."
Rhoda pulled out of their embrace. "You really think you could have discussed this with a man that you still call Mr. Grant after working with him for six years?"
Mary shrugged. "If I had to."
She closed the door behind her. "Nice place." she said, looking around. "You've really moved up around here."
"Yeah." she smiled. "I haven't been here that long."
Rhoda made herself comfortable on the sofa. "You want to make small talk for a while?"
"Please?" Mary said, joining her friend on the sofa. "How was your flight?"
"The turbulence was awful." she said. "And the peanuts were stale."
She wanted to be in a good mood, in a fun, laughing mood. Her friend was here with her. She had flown in from New York. And yet the only thing that Mary could think of was her situation. Her impossible situation. A half smile was the only thing she could muster up.
Rhoda reached for Mary's hands. "It's going to be okay, Mary." she tried to assure her. "I promise."
It was at that moment that Mary burst into tears. She had been keeping it together so well up until this very moment. She was saying her prayers and telling herself that things were going to work out just the way they were suppose to. "Oh, Rhoda I'm so scared." she confessed. "I'm in my mid-thirties and I may be accidentally pregnant." Pregnant. It was the first time she was actually able to speak the word. When she called Rhoda the only thing she could get to come out of her mouth was period and late.
She pulled her into a hug. "If it makes you feel any better most pregnancies are accidental." she joked.
A smile returned to Mary's face, briefly. "What am I going to tell my parents?"
"Immaculate conception?" Rhoda smiled. "I mean the name fits."
Mary's smile was a little brighter this time. "I don't think I could do this without you." she said. "I know that I shouldn't be scared to tell my parents or anyone for that matter, but I am."
"So your parents find out that you're not a virgin." she said. "Do you really think they're going to love you any less?"
"No." she answered without thought. "They'll probably love me more for not trying to be so perfect."
"And there's your silver lining." she said. "Have you told Joe yet?"
"No." she replied. "I wanted to wait until I got the test results back from the doctor. I didn't think there was any use to get everyone in a panic."
"What do you think he'll say?"
"I think he'll be happy." she said. "I mean it's a little sudden but I think he'll be okay with it you know if I am..."
"Pregnant." Rhoda said for her. "It's actually a very easy word to say."
"Yeah, for you."
The ringing of the telephone filled the room, loudly. It was the call she had been waiting for. The call that was going to determine the future of Mary Richards.
tbc...?