RC.

Ch11 .. B

For several minutes now I've been circling around like a lion in a cage.

I was so happy such a short while ago! Why is it that another catastrophe should befall me again?

What should I do? Should I call Ryan to tell him, or not?

(I'm gonna call him!)

(No I won't call him!)

Well ... It's decided, I'm calling Ryan!

I listen to the ringtones whilst my heart is beating fast.

But it's his voice mailbox ... Is this a sign?

I shouldn't tell him what's happened over the phone!

Bad idea... I'm seeing him this this afternoon anyway! We've planned to go on an outing.

I'll see then whether I tell him or not ...

If there's one thing I can do that'll surely do me good. Confide in my friend!

I decide to call Lisa, my only feminine landmark. And the only person in whom I can confide my fears.

Luckily, after a few ring tones, she picks the phone up.

Lisa:"Hi Tayla!"

T:"Hi, Lisa ... I'm not bothering you am I?"

Lisa:"No, not at all, its fine are you still on cloud nine? We really need to go wedding dress shopping!!"

Lisa has been overexcited ever since I announced my engagement with Ryan.

T:"Well, to tell you the truth ... I wanted talk to you about something."

Lisa:"Yeah...?"

(Break it to her gently.)

T:"I ... I ... I just did a pregnancy test because I'm late ... And it's ... positive."

I stammer like a kid. Just saying it makes me feel all weak...

T:"I'm pregnant."

Wow if that's breaking it to her gently, I should stop there! If I do the same to Ryan, I'll be lucky not to make him faint!

Silence on the other end. Oops.

T:"Lisa? Are you still there?"

Lisa:"Yes, yes I'm here ... "

My friend is gathering all the information together. Her voice is lower. I didn't expect to have the same reaction as when I announced my engagement.

She knows very well that it wasn't part of my short-term projects. Nor even in my projects!

Lisa:"And ... eh ... is it good news?"

I don't know...

T:"Honestly I don't know ... I hadn't considered getting pregnant ... At least not yet, not so fast... "

My friend agrees calmly. Like always, she doesn't pass judgment. She just listens to me.

Lisa:"Aren't you on the pill?"

T:"No... I stopped two years ago, I didn't tolerate it very well ... "

Lisa:"And, Ryan and you haven't been using other contraception?"

T:"We do... well... I just calculated... er you know how it is ..."

Lisa:"Yeah ... I've already had one or two frights with that method... It's not reliable at all..."

T:"Lisa ... I'm frightened! I don't feel ready for this... And I don't know how to tell Ryan..."

Lisa:"Hmm ... You should do a blood test, just to be absolutely sure."

T:"Aren't urine tests reliable?"

Lisa:"They are ... But, there's still the possibility of a false positive."

T:"You think so...?"

Lisa:"Honestly the blood test is the best. If you do it now you'll have the result tonight."

I hadn't considered the idea that the test could be wrong! I think I should go and do this blood test straight away.

Just to know whether or not I'm going to find myself with a baby in nine months!

T:"Ryan's coming around to pick me up in a few hours ... We'd planned to go out..."

Lisa:"There must be a medical lab not far from you?"

I hate blood tests! I'm a real wimp, I could pass out just by looking at a needle.

But... For now, I don't really have the choice! I should be able to cope with a little jab...

T:"Yes, probably ... But I don't want to go alone ... Especially, since this morning, I have nausea ..."

Lisa:"Would you like me to come with you ?"

T:"Would you do that?"

Lisa:"Of course I can be at your house in half an hour."

T:"Yes!"

Lisa:"Ok, I'm on my way!"

As Lisa hangs up, I already feel a little better. Feeling that she supports me comforts me ...