It was Sunday morning, and I was laying in bed trying to remember what had happened on Saturday. I remembered me and Tim's fight, then leaving the locker room and realizing it was already two in the afternoon. I could still remember grabbing ice cream at the Alamo Freeze, a rare treat for both of us. Smash had been working, so Tim and him talked about football for a while, leaving me time to think of a plan to get a pregnancy test without anyone seeing. If I caught the attention of anyone from Dillon, I was going to be headline news. Word got around this town in milliseconds. I remembered leaving, talking Tim into driving me one town over to get a test, and peeing in the bathroom at the gas station with Tim standing outside the door. I remember asking Tim to distract me by talking as we waited, remembered him mentioning Smash's party that night, how we had to go because Smash was providing the beer for once. I remembered Tim slamming open the door, too impatient to wait outside. I remembered holding my breath, tears rolling down my face, praying to God that it was negative. I could still see Tim running his hand through his hair over and over, asking every two seconds if I could see the line. I remember my knees giving out beneath me, Tim catching me by the armpits, his lips all over my face when he saw the negative blue line. I remember looking at the clock hanging on the bathroom wall, the time etched in my brain forever: 4:44. I even remember noticing how weird that was, and wondering if it was some sort of sign. I can see Tim's face, his beautiful smile, those hazel eyes full of excitement. I remember bursting into tears, catching Tim by surprise. I still hadn't told Tim, but part of me was sad when I saw that negative sign. Part of me said to myself, "Now there's a chance you'll lose him." I can still feel Tim's strong arms around me, rocking me until I was calm enough to move outside to the truck. I remember sitting on the bench seat, staring out the window as Tim ran back into the store. I remember him coming out with a Coke, a water bottle, a Snickers bar and a six-pack. He had brought me to the edge of the seat and brushed the stray hairs out of my eyes. Pouring water on a napkin, he had blotted off my face and neck, whispering words I can't remember now. He opened both the Coke and the candy and told me to drink and eat, then grabbed a beer and hopped into the driver's seat. I remember the drive to the cliff where Tim often practiced his golf swing and how he settled me into a lawn chair as he proceeded to drink and then hit the remaining beers. I remember ditching my Coke and grabbing a Lone Star, stopping Tim in his tracks. I can still hear the shock in his voice as he asked me if I was sure I wanted to drink. I remember my response, clear as day: "I want to forget." Then things began to get a bit blurry. I can remember Tim driving us to Smash's party, ordering Smash to help me with my request. I remember always checking to make sure Tim was in the room with me, and how he never left me. There's a blank spot, and then I can remember Smash kicking everyone out. I think I was curled up in a chair when Tim picked me up and set me in his truck. The next thing I remember was Tim laying me down in my own bed, kissing me on the forehead, and leaving. Then I passed out.
I rolled over and waited for the nausea to pass. I glanced at the clock, spying a sticky note stuck in front of the time. Ignoring the headache and sickness that came with stretching to reach the clock, I ripped off the sticky note and quickly read it.
"Olivia - I was a total doofus and forgot that it was your uncle and I's 20th wedding anniversary. However, George did not…for once. He surprised me with a road trip down to Galveston for the next four days. Of course, he forgot to tell you before-hand, so I'm leaving you $150 so you can feed yourself. Don't throw any crazy parties here, go to other people's. Don't have Tim spend the night, I don't want to take care of another child. We'll be back late on Wednesday. Love you! - Aunt Melinda"
Oh, if only she knew. I decided that I would follow her rule about throwing parties because I was way too lazy to clean up, but immediately dismissed the other rule about Tim. What she didn't know couldn't hurt her. I couldn't wait to tell Tim the fantastic news. Of course, first I had to work on getting myself feeling better. I sat up, waited for the spinning room to stop, and hopped out of bed. Blinking against the bright sunshine pouring in the windows, I grabbed two aspirin out of the bathroom and then headed to the kitchen. The clock said 12:15, but there was no way it was that late already. I checked in the dining room, where I was proved wrong. I wandered back to the sink, filled up a glass and swallowed the pills. Looking through the refrigerator for some food, I heard a knock at the back door. I whipped around, trying to decide if I should bring a knife over with me. I decided against it and swung open the door. Tim greeted me with a quick peck and pushed past me.
"Live, did you eat yet? I stopped by your window earlier and read the note. These next four days will be the best you've ever had." Tim seemed to be ten times more energetic and upbeat than he normally was, and I was suspicious.
"No, I haven't eaten yet. Why are you so awake and upbeat?" I asked.
"I'm not!" Tim was grabbing a cup from the cabinet and didn't turn to face me.
"Yes, you are. Why? What's wrong?" I persisted. Tim turned around and looked at me.
"Live, it's nothing. You're just hung-over and cranky. Did you take some aspirin yet? Eat something too." I just stared, not believing him, but too tired to fight. I sat down in the chair and put my head in my arms.
"Live, come on. Let's get you back in bed." Tim folded me into his arms and carried me to my bed. Sliding me in between the sheets, he tucked them around me before closing the door behind him. I lay there for a few minutes, exhausted, before I sank into a deep sleep.