"I love you so much," Kuki and I were lying on my bed (don't worry we were fully clothed).
"Why?" she whispered. She was turned on her side with her back to me as I put my arms around her stomach. My face was resting at the crook of her neck.
"Because you're so amazing," I whispered back. She laughed.
"You are," I reinforced and she giggled again.
"Well, well, well. Ain't you two cute?" Abby stood at the doorway. I had forgotten all about Hoagie's warning that she would be coming over.
"Hey Abby," Kuki perked up even more, sitting up so she was out of my reach.
"Yeah hi Abby," I grumbled. As unmanly as it is to say, I like cuddling. Yes I like cuddling. Laugh at me but I do. And I didn't like it being disturbed.
Kuki got off the bed to hug Abby. "Hey Kuki can I talk with you? Alone."
"Sure," Kuki looked toward me.
"Sure," I agreed uncertainly, leaving the room.
The minute the door closed I knew I had to listen into the conversation so I quickly put my ear to the door.
"I'm fine, how are you?" Kuki said.
"Good… good," Abby replied. "Kuki I have to talk to you about the baby."
"What about the baby?"
"Hoagie told me Wally's against giving it up for adoption. Are you?"
"Well… no… I actually think it's a good idea. But… wait Hoagie was here?" My eyebrows must have peeked up when I heard she thought it was a good idea to give up our child.
"Yeah a couple hours ago while you were sleeping," she said. "But girl, Abby thinks you might be making a mistake with keeping the baby. Think of your future girl."
"I know, but Wally really wants me to keep it."
"But do you want to keep it?"
"Well…" I held my breath, "I guess so but I'm kind of scared. I'm afraid I don't know anything about being a mom."
"You don't think that it will destroy your future."
"I didn't have much of a future anyway. I'm not the smartest kid in the pack and neither is Wally… I guess that's what got us here."
"But Kuki you still could have gone to community college…"
"I know I know… but I think I want to be a mom."
"Okay Kuki whatever you want to do. But girl, I just want you to know that you have options."
"I know Abby. I just… want to make Wally happy."
"Even if you're not happy?"
"I will be happy Abby. I will be." She sounded like she was trying to reassure herself. I tore my ear away from the door and went downstairs. Was I forcing Kuki to have the baby? I just want to… to… I don't even know what I want to do but I didn't want to force Kuki into anything she didn't want.
I heard the door open upstairs but stayed on the couch. I didn't want to see them right now but if they saw me crying they would ask what was going on and then they'd know I was listening at the door.