The Honest Affair

15

Wednesday, November 13, 1985

"Hello?" Björn had entered the house from a hidden spare key they kept on the ranch. He had insisted for weeks for Agnetha to allow a spare to be kept with him, but she didn't think it would be a good idea and for this reason, only the two of them knew of its existence on the grounds. This way in case of emergency, he'd be there for her. He walked in finding Agnetha busy cleaning the living room, wiping dust and listening to music. It was no wonder why she didn't hear the knocks at the door.

"Knock, knock," he said. She jumped, placing a hand on her visibly growing belly and sighed when she saw him. She was the only one home, so she took liberty in wearing what she felt comfortable in.

"Don't. Don't do that," she breathed, her face grew pale. She feared it was the housemaid who would help her around most times. Agnetha remembered she had called her in the morning to let her know there was no need to do a grocery run. She had enough groceries still.

"Sorry," he chuckled. "What are you doing? It's nearly noon."

"Cleaning."

"I can see that... you shouldn't tire yourself, Agnetha. The doctor said it–"

"Yeah well, I've done it two pregnancies before."

"And you ended up on bedrest. Okay, come on. Enough now, we need to get–"

"I'm not going," she whispered, interrupting him again and picked up where she left off on the bookcase.

"What?" he asked. "What do you mean you're not going? It's a doctor's appointment not a meeting. We have to check on the baby." She shook her head and looked away from him.

"I can't do it. I'm scared. I'm scared of going out in public. I'm scared of someone seeing me with a belly and telling every magazine, every newspaper about it."

"Agnetha. You're four months, you barely show, by the way. If you're so concerned you just have to hide it. Besides it's much colder now. Your belly is hiding beneath a jacket." She eyed him with glossy blue eyes, ashamed and quiet to say it.

"Nothing fits," she squeaked minimally. "I can't shop for maternity clothes. Even if I'm seen wearing them everyone will ask. I went into the baby store two weeks ago and everyone already began assuming that I am expecting." He checked his watch, noting there was still twenty minutes until their appointment.

"Pregnancy rumors have revolved around you since our separation. This isn't any different."

"The difference this time is that I am! I can't hide it, because it is the truth."

"Look, today we find out if it's a boy or girl. Let's go upstairs, we'll work it out for today and then we worry about magazines, about shopping for maternity clothes. We'll figure it out."

Björn and Agnetha entered her walk-in closet and stared. There were barely any clothes left on the hangers. Nearly all of them were on the floor or on the bed. He saw the chaos of the room and had almost never seen it like this. He had to start somewhere.

"This jumper?" He held it up.

"It's too tight."

"A dress?"

"It's cold and I won't wear tights," she explained.

"Leggings?"

"They barely come up comfortably," she said as her tears fell. She turned away feeling like a teenager who couldn't make up her mind.

"What about what you're wearing?"

"Pajamas?!"

"They don't really look like it." She gave him a sarcastic face and took a step.