History Repeated Part 8: The Powers That Be
Tess stared at the calendar in total disbelief. She had been staring at it for at least ten minutes, trying to convince herself that what she saw wasn't true, that the dates were all wrong.
No matter how many times she told herself that it wasn't real, that she had some how mixed up the dates, she knew deep down that it was real. She could feel it inside. She knew things were changing.
Her mind began to swirl. How could she have been so stupid, so careless, so irresponsible, that night with Nick? Neither of them had even thought to protect themselves. Neither of them had considered the consequences. They were so eager, so desperate to be with each other that they had thrown caution out the window like a pair of love sick teenagers.
It was all wrong. This wasn't how she had intended to bring a child into the world.
Tess sighed and ran her hand through her hair as she turned towards Charlotte, who was perched on the couch watching the Saddle Club – one of her afternoon regulars.
"BOM I gotta go out for a bit," She told her.
"Okay," Charlotte replied, taking a moment to turn away from the TV and look at Tess. "How long will you be?"
"I won't be long. I just have to go to the chemist…" She knew the answer, but she had to know for sure. She couldn't stand not having proper confirmation. At least if she knew for sure she might be able to think a bit more rationally.
"Oh, is everything okay?"
"Yep, fine… peachy in fact," Tess said sarcastically as she picked up her wallet, phone and house keys. "I'll be back in fifteen. Don't open the door to anyone."
"Yep, okay."
Tess came out of the chemist gasping for the fresh air—or the closest thing to fresh air—that Melbourne could offer. She felt sick. She knew she was being silly, but she couldn't help but feel that everyone was watching her, pointing their judgmental fingers at her.
She stood there, just breathing. She needed to settle down, settle her nerves. None of this was helping the situation.
When she felt ready, she turned. She had barely moved when she heard the familiar voice calling out to her.
"Tess? Tess is that you?"
Tess wanted to curl up and die. It seemed like the cosmic forces were plotting against her, yet again. It was karma, she thought to herself.
She cleared her throat and turned toward the voice, "Liz, hi"
"It's so lovely to see you again," Liz said as she came to stop in front of her. "It's been far too long, hasn't it?"
Not long enough, Tess thought. She had managed to avoid Liz for at least two years, despite the fact that they were living in the same city. Why couldn't it have been five years? Why did they have to bump into each other now, in the middle of such a crisis?
"Far too long," She finally answered with a grin—a fake grin.
"Are you too busy to have a coffee? It would be lovely to sit down and have a chat with you," Liz said cheerfully.
It was most defiantly karma striking, paying her back for sleeping with not one married man, but two!
"I'm sorry, maybe another time, Liz," Tess shuffled, trying to hide the pharmacy bag behind her back. "I told Charlotte that I would be straight home."
"Oh," Liz replied "I see, well another time then?"
"Yep, sure… it was nice seeing you again, Liz" Tess told her.
She was so eager to get away that when she turned, she almost slipped, causing her pharmacy bag to fall to the ground.
"Shit," she said under her breath, knowing that her pregnancy test had probably been exposed.
She turned, ready to bend down and pick it up, only to discover that Liz had already done so, "It seems congratulations may be in order."
Tess stood there like a stunned mullet. Congratulated? If Liz knew the full story, she wouldn't be congratulating her at all. She would be shoving a one way ticket down her throat and sending her to some place like Moscow or something. There was no way she would accept this child.
"Ah…" Tess was lost for words.
"Oh, Tess," Liz placed the test back in the bag and handed it to her. "You'll make a lovely mother, I'm sure of it."
"Um, thanks Liz" Tess took the test from her. Suddenly feeling a sense of duty, she did something she knew she would probably regret, "Why don't you come to my place? We can have that coffee there… I'm sure Charlotte would be glad to see you."
"Oh, I would love that."
On the walk to the apartment, Tess wondered if those pregnancy hormones had taken control of her brain. What was she thinking inviting Liz for coffee?