@smallstabs humboldt botanical gardens, humboldt hills
In the days since the three-month checkup, Annie’s fear had grown even colder, and she found she had less of an idea of what to do with such a firm reminder of the source of her constant terror hanging in their kitchen. She and Benji had shown Candace and Colin the first sonogram to raucous delight, but Annie could feel nothing but nerves. She’d never before had such a difficult time just focusing on any one thing, which caused her even more terror: what if her grades and clients suffered solely due to her inability to just get it together?
After a morning of classes spent spiraling in uncertainties and variables well outside of her control, she retired to the safety of her car, where she ignored her packed lunch in favor of a brief cry. She thought about calling Benji to meet her somewhere, but then thought better of it: she couldn’t rationally or easily explain her upset, and he’d know she was upset, because he knew her. And then she had an idea.
Tabitha answered on the second ring, and, probably alerted by Annie’s weak voice, immediately agreed to meet up. Annie suggested a walk, and Tabitha countered with the botanical gardens, and in two minutes, she had someplace to go and someone to be with.
After a brief hug, the pair set out to amble through the greenhouse, largely empty at this time of day on a weekday. Conversation mostly revolved around the foliage and flowers initially, with Annie snapping some photos and insisting Tabitha stand next to a giant agave for her amusement. As Tabitha stood dutifully and Annie worked her angles, she finally spoke up.
So what’s going on?
Annie’s eyes immediately prickled with tears.
She could lie. She’d been doing it for a while, now. But what would be the point of it? She loved Tabitha. She loved that Tabitha wanted to be there for her. She loved that Tabitha knew that something was, indeed, going on.
She lowered her phone, depositing it in her pocket, and a weak, uncertain smile flitted over her lips. Still, her eyes were growing wet.
"Benji and I are gonna have a baby.”