Page 14 of Sprite
“Hold tight,” Dallas ordered. She disappeared from the bathroom, leaving the rest of them standing in silence, staring at each other. Dallas came back in the bathroom and handed Sprite two pregnancy test boxes.
“Where did you get these in a biker bar?” Sprite asked.
“I keep some in Savage’s office,” she said. “With two husbands, they come in handy.” The rest of the group laughed, but Sprite didn’t feel much like laughing at the moment.
“Go take them,” Phoenix ordered, turning Sprite around and giving her a gentle shove to the stall.
“What do I even do with these?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Read the directions on the back of the box,” Dallas said. “They are self-explanatory.”
“Maybe after you’ve had over a dozen or so kids,” Banshee teased. “But I’m betting that this is Sprite’s first time taking a pregnancy test.”
“It is,” Sprite shouted from the stall.
“Do you want me to come in there and tell you how to do it?” Dallas asked.
“No, I read the directions,” Sprite shouted back, “kind of.” She pulled the cap off the test and said a little prayer that she’d be able to pee enough for the test to work. “Maybe a beer or two would help,” she said. Each of the women waiting on her seemed to have a different response and her favorite was Banshee telling her that whisky might work better.
Sprite finished up and put the cap back on the test. She pulled up her jeans and walked out to the sink, putting a paper towel down on the counter before laying the test down. “What now?” she asked.
“Now, we wait a few minutes and then, you’ll have your answer,” Dallas said, as if it was going to be that easy. If she was pregnant, she’d have to tell Chains and Sprite wasn’t sure how he’d take it. She wasn’t sure if he even wanted her long-term. They hadn’t talked about the future or the next steps in their relationship. They were focusing on one day at a time, and telling Chains that she was pregnant wasn’t a part of today’s plans.
“I’d like to put my name in for treasurer,” she said to Banshee. “I figure that if I’m pregnant, I might be crying too much to tell you that later.”
Banshee nodded her head, “What are your qualifications?” she asked.
“Well, I passed my CPA and now I work at a local firm. I’m only a junior accountant, but I hope to be more someday.” Shefrowned, looking down at the test. “That might not work out for me if this stupid test is positive,” she mumbled.
“Women have kids and work all the time. We don’t have to quit our jobs just because we pop out a few babies,” Phoenix insisted.
“Yeah, and if Chains doesn’t want to have a baby with me, he’ll probably kick me out, and then, I’ll have no choice but to work—possibly two jobs, so that I can find a home for me and my kid.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about saying anything about the kid being a possibility. “Shit, I’ve probably just jinxed myself saying that out loud.”
Dallas chuckled and wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’m pretty sure that isn’t the way things work.”
The alarm went off on Banshee’s phone, making them all jump. “Shit,” Banshee cursed. “I guess it’s time to check the test.”
“It’s the moment of truth,” Danger said. Sprite shot her a dirty look and Danger took a step back. “Sorry,” she breathed. Sprite sighed, looked down at the pregnancy test, and gasped. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to her, but it still was.
“It’s positive,” she whispered.
“I’m not sure if I should congratulate you or say that I’m sorry,” Banshee said.
“I’m not sure about which to say either,” Sprite admitted. “I need to figure a few things out. Could you guys give me a few minutes?” she asked.
“Sure,” Dallas said, “come on guys. We can get church started. We’ll put your name in for treasurer,” she promised. Sprite nodded and tried to smile as they walked out. From the pity on their faces, she wasn’t doing a very good job of putting on a brave face for her friends.
She stood at the sink, just staring down at the test, and trying to figure out her next move, when Chains came bursting into theladies’ room. “What are you doing in here? You’re not allowed to be in here, Chains,” she shouted.
“How about you tell me what’s going on, and then, I’ll answer your questions?” he asked. Sprite stood in front of the test, trying to hide it behind her back.
“What do you mean?” she asked. She wasn’t ready to give him any answers that weren’t necessary right now.
“Banshee and the other women just left the bathroom and when I asked them if they saw you in here, they all got weird and scattered in different directions. That’s when I decided to come in and check on you myself.” One of the Harlots’ Prospects walked into the bathroom and Chains growled at the poor girl. “We’re having a private conversation. Go outside and pee in the woods,” he shouted. The poor woman looked about ready to cry.
“Chains,” Sprite chastised, “you can’t treat her that way. I’m so sorry, we’ll leave and give you some privacy.” She started for the door and forgot all about the pregnancy test until she found Chains holding it in his big hand.
“What’s this?” he asked.