TWO MONTHS LATER
Mary sat in the break room at work eating a tuna sandwich. She was relieved to be through her first trimester and past the morning sickness. Now she just felt hungry all the time. She was reading a book when John Davis walked in.
"Hi, Mary." He said as he walked to the vending machines to get a soda.
"Oh, hi John." They hadn't seen each other for several weeks, John had been traveling around the state most of that time covering different stories. To her knowledge he still didn't know she was pregnant.
"You mind if I sit with you?" he asked.
"Uh, no, that's fine," she said, "So when did you get back?"
He took a drink of his soda, "Last night, I've got to get to editing in a few minutes but I was really thirsty," he paused looking at her. "I'm glad I came in here."
"Well, this is where the sodas are." Mary quipped.
John laughed, "No, I mean I'm glad I ran into you," he smiled, "I'd still love to have dinner with you sometime."
Mary looked down, "John, really I can't. I'm sorry."
"Why not? It's just dinner." He insisted.
"This is why," She stood up revealing her growing belly, "I'm sorry." She began to cry and ran out of the room passing Lou on her way out
"What's wrong with Mary?" he walked over to John
"Me, that's what," John answered.
"Hey, that girl is like a daughter to me. You better not have upset her." Lou glared at him.
"Lou, all I did was ask her out. I had no idea she was pregnant. I thought she wasn't married." John explained.
"She isn't married. Look, it's complicated and I'm not going to tell you about another employee's personal life. But if you upset her, I'll kill you, you understand?"
"Oh yeah, I get it, I get it." John assured him.
Mary sat on her couch reading one of her books, or trying to. She couldn't stop thinking about running out on John like that. She hated being that dramatic but she had wanted more than anything to say yes to his invitation. She felt so embarrassed and was sure he would never speak to her again. She stood up and stretched her back and rubbed her belly. Time for my daily glass of milk, she thought. As she walked into the kitchen the doorbell rang.
She walked over to the door to open it to find John smiling, "John, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see you. Can I come in?" he asked
"Oh sure, of course." She said as he walked in.
"I really wished you hadn't run out like that today." He told her
Mary shut the door, "John, I am so sorry. I certainly didn't mean to be so dramatic."
"I've had women turn me down but never with such a flare." He joked as walked into the living area.
Mary laughed, "Well you know what they say about pregnant women and their hormones."
"About that, I'm sorry too. I had no idea. I wish you had told me when I asked you out the first time." He admitted.
"So you wouldn't have bothered asking me again? I was so stunned when you did ask I couldn't get it out." She explained.
John shook his head, "No, I didn't say I wouldn't have asked or still wouldn't have taken you out."
"What? John look at me." she said putting her hand on her belly.
"I am." He walked over to where she stood across the room and gently put his arms on her shoulders, "Mary, I don't know what your circumstance is but I want to get to know you."
"John, I … I can't." she pleaded.
"Is the baby's father in your life, is that it?" He asked
"No, he's not. I don't think he'll ever be." She said sadly
"Then what harm can their be in having dinner with a friend?" he asked
Mary smiled, "No harm at all."
"Great, how about tomorrow after you get off work?" he suggested.
"That would be just fine." She agreed.
"Alright, I'll see you then. Goodnight, Mary." He said heading for the door.
"Good night, John." She said as she closed the door behind him.
Well, well little one, she said aloud patting her belly, what do you know about that?
