This Story's Going Somewhere

Chapter 6 - Nora

                Hiding my pregnancy from my father was the worst and hardest thing I've ever had to do. Part of me was dying for some adult guidance. I wanted to tell him more than anything, but Patrick and I had agreed that we would both tell our parents once we knew for sure, which would be after my appointment with my gynecologist. I had called to make the appointment the morning after I had found out, and unfortunately, they couldn't get me in for another week. So, I had waited, but not patiently.

Patrick was, so far, more of a help than I would have thought he'd been. In fact, I'd thought he would have taken off running the second I told him, but he didn't. Instead, he seemed downright determined to get to know me as much as he could over the past few days. He text me every morning to see how I was feeling, and every night to ask if I needed anything. He took me out to lunch once, and we discussed everything that he had going on with the band. He'd discussed his fears about touring over the upcoming months and being away from me, and we agreed that we'd work it out somehow. For now though, both of our fears seemed rooted in telling our parents. Patrick had asked me to be there when he told his parents. He was afraid to tell them on his own, and he thought that if they met me, that my presence could lessen the blow, somehow. On the other hand, I wanted to tell my father alone. I knew he was going to blow up, and I wanted him to meet Patrick on better terms. Patrick understood completely.

So, when the day finally rolled around that I was supposed to go for my test at the gynecologist, Patrick pulled up to the curb down the street from my house in Pete's car. He waited for me, and I told my dad that I was going for a walk, so I wouldn't have to sneak out my bedroom window again. I was trying to be a bit more careful, now that I knew I probably had a baby in me. I walked casually to where Patrick was waiting, and he jumped out of the car to open my door for me as I approached. I had to hand it to him; For a teenage guy in a band, he was such a gentleman. I smiled at him as I got in, though my smile was lessened by my nerves, and Patrick shut the door behind me. He walked back to his side and got in, pulling away from the curb slowly.

"Ready for this?" He asked as we drove down my street.

I hesitated, then shrugged. "I mean...I'm pretty sure the tests I took weren't all wrong. It's not like I'll be surprised if it's positive, you know?"

"I know," Patrick said, glancing at me as he turned a corner. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm fine, Patrick," I said, allowing myself a small laugh at his genuine concern. He seemed to think that there would be new developments every single day, but really, it was still far too early for much to be going on. The only change since the night we'd found out was that I'd woken up on two occasions with horrible morning sickness.

"Just making sure," Patrick said, grinning to himself.

I tried to change the subject. "So, how was practice this morning?"

Immediately, Patrick rolled his eyes dramatically. "Ugh, Pete's been working us like dogs. We played the same song for three hours today, Nora. Three hours!"

"Aww," I laughed, shaking my head at him, "You poor thing, having to work for a living."

"Hey," Patrick teased, "It'd be different if Pete were paying us every day, but he's not."

"But you're getting royalties from the album, aren't you?" I asked, to which he rolled his eyes again.

"Yeah, but we're splitting it four ways too. And we're not exactly making a fortune from one record. It'll change when we start selling tickets for shows, I guess, but that's still a little ways off." He shrugged his shoulders, leaning forward as he began to look for the gynecologist's office.