Page 3 of Tangled Emotions

“Edith Rose.” She stroked my hair. “You’re anything but a screw up.”

I lifted my head and looked at her.

“You’ve always been my responsible child. Accidents happen.” She reached for my hand. “I’m not mad, but I am concerned. Eighteen is so young to be a mom.”

“How old were you when you had Big E?”

She drained her glass. “Eighteen.”

“Ah.”

“Did I think I would become a grandma at forty?” She snorted with laughter. “No.”

Dad came back into the room. “We also never expected having another baby six years after you.” He sat down on the other side of me. “And while your sister wasn’t planned, it never meant she wasn’t loved or wanted.”

Need to talk to Greg, make a doctor’s appointment, figure out my life.

“Why aren’t you yelling at me?”

“Well, Edith, there’s a time and a place for that. It’s not like you blew off work, or broke curfew.” Dad sighed. “You’re out of school, have a job and can legally move out if you want.”

“You want me to leave?” Tears ran down my face.

“No.” He wiped them away. “You’re my little girl. You’ll always be my little girl.”

“Let’s get through one day at a time.” Mom wrapped an arm around me, and Dad joined her. “How do you eat an elephant?”

I laughed and blew snot on the table. “One bite at a time.”

We sat there in silence until Gene came back. “He’s cooling off at home.”

“So no bail money needed?” Dad laughed. “At least for tonight.”

“Let’s get some sleep and we can handle things in the morning.” Mom stood up. “C’mon, Edie, I’ll tuck you in.”

I wanted to scream.I’m not a kid, but something about being tucked in made me feel like everything would be okay.

Morning sickness can kiss my fat ass.

I clung to the toilet as I dry heaved. None of my friends talked about this part.

Assholes.

When my stomach stopped revolting, I stood up and splashed some cold water on my face before brushing my teeth.

The doc said this part should settle down in about six more weeks, unless I was one of the unlucky women who had morning sickness the entire time.

That’s reassuring.

My cheeks were rosy, and I had bags under my eyes.

Real attractive.

There was a soft knock on the bathroom door and then Evie’s head poked in. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I nodded and looked at her in the mirror.

“Last year when Mrs. Jordan was pregnant, she had ginger candy that she said helped.” She held her hand out, handing me a small bag. “I thought maybe they would help you too.”