The Witching Hour

[Part 7] The Warning

Alice and Rick lounged on the couch together later that afternoon. Rick had his head resting gently on Alice's protruding belly, listening for the baby's heartbeat.

"I'm telling you, you can't hear it like that." Alice laughed softly.

"You don't know that." Rick teased, "Maybe she has a really strong heart."

"Oh, the baby is a she, huh?"

"Of course."

"And how do you know that?"

"Because I just have a strong feeling it's a girl." Rick sat up and looked into his wife's eyes, "What do you think?"
"I had a dream it was a boy last night, actually." Alice's smile faded as she remembered the nightmare that left her too scared to go back to sleep.

Rick immediately noticed the look on her face and became concerned.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Oh, nothing." Alice lied, forcing a smile.

"Are you having nightmares again?"

"No! Well... I mean, yes, I had one last night, but I'm okay, really."

Rick's posture became rigid, "Alice, if doing this story is going to be too much for you..."

Alice immediately became defensive, "It's not. I can handle it."

"Is that why you couldn't sleep last night?"

Alice looked away, not wanting to worry him further, and also not wanting to raise any more suspicion regarding her mental state.

Just then there were three soft knocks at the front door.

"I'll get it." Alice chirped, relieved for the distraction.

When she opened the door, she was surprised to see her mother standing there, a wide grin spread across her face.

"Oh, hey mom." Alice said, "I didn't realize you were stopping by today."

"I know. It's been a while. Do you have time for a visit?" Marisol was eager to get inside.

"Of course. You're always welcome any time, you know that."

"Well, I never want to assume anything. I know our relationship hasn't always been cordial."

"I'm not a teenager anymore, mom." Alice laughed and stepped aside, allowing her mother to enter the house.

She followed Marisol into the living room where Rick greeted his mother-in-law with a hug.

"Would you like some coffee?" Alice offered.

"Oh, no thank you, dear. I think I need to lay off the caffeine for a little while. It's not good for me."

"Is something wrong?" Rick asked.

"Oh, no. Nothing's wrong," Marisol lied, "Just a little trouble sleeping at night lately."

Rick glanced over to Alice. Maybe it runs in the family, he smugly thought to himself.

"So what brings you by?" Alice began, sitting down.

"I need a reason to visit my daughter?" Marisol joked, lightheartedly.

"No, of course not. So, how have you been?"

"Well, to be honest with you, I've been a little worried ever since I read the paper this morning."

"You saw my article?" Alice brightened immediately, "What did you think of it?"

"Well, honestly, I don't know how you can be smiling when we're talking about something so horrible."