Chapter 25

Several weeks later:

Tina noticed her most dedicated employee had been a bit more reserved lately. Since she had gotten into a relationship, Steffi had been more talkative, but in the last month or so, she was once again quiet, not to mention she wasn't as focused on her work.

Finally, Tina had called the girl into her office one day after Steffi arrived at the workshop, expressing her concerns. "Is there something you'd like to talk about, Steffi?" she asked gently.

Steffi shook her head and shrugged. "Not really."

"There must be something bothering you; your production has fallen off the last couple of weeks and that isn't like you at all," Tina continued. "Whatever it is, nothing will leave this office."

"Tina…..I…I'm late."

"No, Steffi, you're perfectly on time as you always are."

"No, I mean I am late."

"Late with what?" Tina was confused, then it had dawned on her. "Your period?"

Steffi nodded, wide eyed. "I always got it on time before."

"Well, Steffi, you're about to head to trade college and your last few weeks of work here, plus of course, your first boyfriend. That's a lot to carry. You're probably having an effect of stress."

"Or I might be pregnant," Steffi replied. "I can't have a baby. Not right now!"

"Honey, have you discussed this with Dallas?" Tina asked.

Steffi shook her head frantically. "No! I can't talk to him about 'girl things'!"

"Tell you what," Tina answered. "Let's take you downstairs to the company doctor and have her look you over and take a test. At least if we get a solid answer, it will put your mind at ease and perhaps these last few weeks with us will go a little easier on you."

Steffi smiled for the first time that morning. "Thank you, Tina."

"Meet me on lunch break. I'll call Dr. McCoy and let her know we will be down."

Meanwhile:

"Earth to Spanky," Paul said.

Brian snapped out of his trance. "Huh?"

"Nice to know I'm so fascinating, dude. What the fuck has been wrong with you lately? You haven't been your happy ass self, even when smoking the gonz."

"It's Steffi," Brian finally answered.

Paul perked up. "Is she okay?"

"I wish I knew. The last several weeks, she hasn't talked much. I can't think of anything I did that would piss her off, though. She's just been…..strange."

"What did you do, knock her up? Lord knows you don't like putting on the rain gear before you do a girl."

"Paul, cut the jokes. If you insist on being a smart ass, no, I doubt that it is the case or she'd told me something by now."

"Hypothetically speaking, what would you do if she was?"

"What could I do? It would put a kink into things, but I'd step up to the plate and help Steffi take care of it. It would be my kid, after all. Who else would pass on a legacy of funny looking, short things?"

"Doesn't look like you'd be too upset in any case. Have you talked to her about that?"

"If I could talk to her," Brian sighed.

"Why don't you call Dallas?" Paul suggested. "Tell him what you told me, that you're worried about her. He probably knows what's going on more than you do."

"Already ahead of you, man. He doesn't know much more. She's been weird around him too."

"Jesus, this has to be something serious. That isn't like the girl at all."

"Could be nervous about starting school," Paul said.

"Yeah, maybe, but surely she would have talked to me and Dallas about that."

"Well, whatever it is, dude, I'm sure it will work out; it always does. Women get strange moments and then it's all back to normal again."

That afternoon:

"What if the test is positive?" Steffi asked, clearly nervous after her appointment. "What will I do?"

Tina was sympathetic. "Steffi, have you even talked to your boyfriend about this?"

"No. I don't want to ruin his career or reputation." Steffi shook her head.

"If you are indeed pregnant, Steffi, it isn't something you'll be able to hide forever."

"He's going to be so mad at me for being stupid."

"Or maybe not. Dallas tells me your boyfriend cares very much for you, even going as far to help pay for your new hearing aids and part of your school tuition the scholarship didn't cover. I have a feeling this isn't the type of guy that would bail on you if in fact you are having a child."

Steffi thought a moment. "We can see what the doctor says first. If the tests are positive, I won't have a choice. Okay, I'll talk to him and Dallas, but only after I have a definite answer."