The White Wolf of Winter

Part Seventeen, DNA

Chapter Twenty Eight
    The next day at school we were all lined up to get our cheeks swabbed while Mr. Mobster stood watch in his black suit. They asked me if I knew where Dan was. I told them that the last time I talked to him, he was going home for Christmas and I have no idea where home is.
I was feeling much better after talking to Bill. He gave me hope that someday Dan and I would be together again. I think I like having an older brother around. It didn't feel so lonely anymore.

    When I got home Bill had already started dinner.
    "I have some good news for you, Mary."

    "Oh ya, I could use some good news."

    "Mr. Depetro says if the highway goes in, they are moving."

    "What's that about?"

    "What do you think it's about, Mary? Mobsters hide out in isolated places like this. Soon, this place will not be isolated anymore."

    "Good, how long before the highway goes in?"

    "It takes time, Mary, probably a year or two at least."

    "A year or two!" I can't wait that long to see Dan."

    "You might have to."

    Suddenly my phone rings, "Mary, don't talk, just listen. This is Rose, remember me? Can you get away for spring break and come and visit me?"

    "Yes Rose, I would like that."

    "I'll call you in a few months with the details. Bye Mary." And she hung up.

    "Mary, are you alright? You look stunned."

    "Oh ya, Bill, it was an old friend wanting me to come and spend a few days with her over spring break."

    "Oh, that sounds nice. It will get your mind off of Dan."

    "Ya, you're right. You'll be here to care for the dogs. It should be great. I'm excited."

    Excited was putting it mildly, I was ready to do cartwheels. I had to hide my excitement from Bill. I can't let anybody know I'm meeting Dan.

    Bill liked to walk around the house without a shirt, always smiling, always there for me. He's very well built and extremely good looking. I feel like he's trying to get me to forget about Dan and jump into bed with him. He doesn't understand the bond Dan and I have.

    "Bill?"

    "Ya, Mary?"

    "I was just wondering; don't you have a shirt you can put on?"

    "Why Mary, does it bother you?"

    "Well actually, sometimes I feel like you are trying to entice me away from Dan."

    "What makes you think that, Mary?"

    "Oh, I don't know; the way you greeted me the first time we met and then dropped your towel so I could see how gorgeous you are when you're naked. And now you walk around without a shirt all of the time. Bill, I am totally devoted to Danny. I fully acknowledge that you are a beautiful man, but I adore Danny. I want to be his mate and have his babies. Can you understand that?"

    "I understand, Mary, but I  don't want you putting all your eggs in one basket. Dan may have moved on."

    "Well, I haven't and I'm not going to, Bill!" I ran to my room to cry. That was a mean thing to say to me. Why would he send for me just to break my heart?"

    Bills knocking on my bedroom door. "Mary, I'm sorry, can I come in?"

    "Sure Bill, come in and throw more salt in my wounds."

    "Mary, I did not mean to hurt you. I just don't want you getting hurt any more than you already have,ok? I will wear a shirt from now on, ok?"

    "It's not the shirt, Bill. I'm just so miserable without my man. And without knowing if he still wants me?"

    "Hey, why don't we watch TV and play a board game like Scrabble or Yahtzee?"

    "Ok, Bill; you're a good brother."

    "I'm, trying, Mary."

    So we played Yahtzee and watched TV while the boys snuggled up beside us and we had a nice family night. Oh, and Bill put on a shirt.

Chapter Twenty Nine
    Bill and I settled into a routine, he went to work and I went to school. He sent for some of his things and made himself at home. Among his things were various video games which we played together at night after dinner. We were becoming very good friends and I felt like I could tell him anything. But I still could not tell him everything about Dan. He'd probably never believe me anyway, woof people?, ya right; he'd probably have me put away in a nut house.

    Spring had come and I realized I was pregnant after all. I had that one slight bleeding right after Dan left and no more periods. I had all the signs of pregnancy but told nobody, not even Bill. Rose was supposed to call to arrange a meeting over spring break. Spring break was in a week, and still no call from Rose.

    Bill was getting a road from our house to town and the airport put in. It was his priority, he said, to look after himself first and me of course. The highway was also coming along slowly but surely.
Every day I was sure Rose would call, but the call never came and by the end of the school week, I had my doubts it ever would. I was depressed and worried. Here I am, a single teenager with a baby on the way; a woof baby none the less, and no daddy. Eventually, I was going to have to talk to Bill and tell him everything. I couldn't do this alone and I was starting to show. I kept it covered up with big, loose fitting shirts, but it was getting harder to disguise. And what will I do with a woof baby? If people found out, they would kill the child. All I have is my best friend, Bill to confide in. He had become like a father, brother, best friend to me. He was one of the smartest, kindest men I'd ever known. I felt like I could totally trust him and I prayed to God that I was right.

    "Hey, Mary; I have great news!"

    "What's that?"

    "The Depitro's are moving out!" They put their mansion up for sale today. So maybe your friend, Dan can come back?"

    I ran to my room crying my heart out. Because I had to face the truth; Dan wasn't coming back. I'm pregnant with his child. And Rose was not going to call me.

    Bill followed me to my room and sat down on my bed beside me, rubbing my back gently to comfort me.

    "Mary, I'm so sorry your friend never called. I know you feel alone but you have me."

    "Bill, I'm pregnant!" And I have no idea where the father of my child is or if he's ever coming back. But that's not even the half of it. There's so much you don't know. So much I haven't told you. So much I can't tell you!"

    "Mary, you can tell me anything. I'm here for you. We can raise the child together,"

    "Bill, you have got to be the sweetest man alive. But you don't know what you're saying. We cannot raise this child together or otherwise. The child has to go with it's father. But I have no idea where he is or how to contact him."

    "Mary, I think it's time for us to have a long talk and for you to tell me everything. I want to help you, Mary. I want to be there for you. Will you let me be there for you? Will you tell me everything?"

    "I want to tell you everything, Bill. I really do. But for now I just need to grieve for what might have been. Tonight, I just need to lie with my dogs and cry."

    "Well, move over, Mary, I'm part of this family now too. We'll all lie together while you grieve. You can lay your head on my chest. Tonight I'll be the daddy. You cry while me and the boys watch some TV."

    Bill put on some funny movies from his collection and soon we were laughing together. He held me close and stroked my head and hair, playing the daddy role perfectly. I can't think of anyone who would make a better father than Bill. But this is a woof man's child and it needs to be with it's people.