"What?" she asks, unwilling to turn and look at him.
"Can you look at me, when you're talking to me?"
"I really have to get these suppositories to bed three."
"Jackie, bed three can wait. Turn around," Cruz insists.
She pivots, in his direction. She faces him. He takes a step closer. She refuses to look down. He stares at her with a look of disbelief on his face.
"Something you want to share?" he stares at her midsection.
"No," she swallows hard.
"Really?"
"I'm good."
"Jackie, the elephant in the room is a little hard to ignore."
She breaks eye contact, and looks down at her stomach. Six and a half months along, and she looks as if she's four months along, instead. Her shirt doesn't cling to her stomach, but it makes the bump difficult to ignore. She looks up at Eddie. He breaks the silence, as it's obvious that she isn't going to.
"You're pregnant?"
"Yeah," she nods.
"Good for you," he says in a flat tone.
"That's it? That's all you have to say?"
He shrugs, "What am I supposed to say?"
"You're supposed to ask what the hell I was thinking."
"I didn't want to be rude."
"Do you know how old I am?"
"I do," he confirms.
"I didn't plan this. I didn't want it to happen."
"Oh. I thought maybe somewhere in the midst of your mid-life crisis you decided that you wanted a baby, and went to a sperm bank, or some shit."
"That would have been easier, I think."
"Easier to get pregnant?"
She shakes her head, "Easier to deal with. At least then I would have been somewhat in control. I would have known it was coming."
"So it was a complete surprise?"
"Yeah," she nods, in confirmation.
"And the guy?"
"Is a huge asshole."
"You have to be scared out of your fucking mind. I mean I know you already have two kids, but this is different. You were married. You planned them. Now you're single, and this kid wasn't planned."
"Scared doesn't even begin to cover it," she admits.
"You could have told me."
"I know."
"So are you keeping it?"
"Yeah."
"How is that going to work?"
"I don't have the slightest idea. I guess I'll just sling it over my shoulder, or put it in a backpack, and keep working, after it's born. I don't really need to take any time off. I'll just pop it out in the E.R., and keep going," she jokes.
"I know you're joking, but I wouldn't put it past you," Mike admits.
"I'll do what other normal people do..."
He cuts her off, "I've never known you to be normal."
She clarifies, "I'll do what normal people do. I'll put it in daycare, I guess."
"That shit is expensive."
"Everything about having a kid is expensive."
"If I can help, let me know."
She rockets into consciousness. It takes her ten minutes to get awake enough to realize that it is all just a dream. She checks her watch, and realizes the girls will be home, soon. She heads into the kitchen to start dinner. She's is stirring a pot, when she hears the door open.
"We're here," Zoey announces.
Grace, and Fiona come into the kitchen.
"Girls why don't you go wash your hands? Dinner will be done in a minute," Jackie instructs.
A few minutes later they return to the kitchen. Jackie has already put dinner on the table. Grace, and Fiona join Zoey at the table. Jackie is the last to sit down. They start to eat.
"So how was school today?" Jackie questions.
"It was fine, why did Zoey pick us up today?" Fiona wonders.
"I had to come home and take a shower after work. I had an enema go wrong," she stretches the truth.
Grace furrows her brow, "Do we have to talk about that, at dinner?"
"No," Jackie shakes her head.
"Mom you look nervous, is everything ok?" Fiona queries.
"I am a little bit nervous," Jackie admits.
"About what?" Fiona follows up.
"There is something that I need to tell you girls."
Grace chimes in, "We know. Daddy told us that you needed to talk to us about something."
"What's going on?" Fiona wonders.
"Is there something wrong?" Grace automatically assumes.
"There isn't anything wrong," Jackie insists.
"Jackie, you should just tell them," Zoey suggests.
"You're right."
"So what is it?" Grace stares Jackie in the eye.
"Are you going to let us have a puppy?" Fiona hopes.
"She's not going to let us have a puppy," Grace rolls her eyes.
"You would be my favorite, if we could have a puppy," Fiona adds.
"Well, Fi, it's funny you should mention that. We are getting a new family member."
Fiona smiles, at Grace, "See, I told you that we were going to get a puppy."
Jackie continues, "But it isn't a puppy. It's sort of like a puppy, but not quite."
"A kitten?" Fiona guesses.
"No. It will probably be cute, but it won't be that furry. And once it's here we can't get rid of it," Jackie explains.
"Just tell us!" Grace insists.
"Guys, I know that there have been a lot of changes lately. I know that I am responsible for most of them, and that you aren't happy with all of them. I know you're still trying to adjust, and that you don't understand all of the changes that have been made. I know this is not the greatest timing, either. I wish that there were better circumstances. I hope that the two of you won't be angry at me for this. I know you already feel like you don't spend enough time with me..." Jackie trails off.
"Mom, you're worrying me, just tell us what it is," Grace advises.
"I'm pregnant."