Where The Wild Things Grow | Paul Lahote

vii

vii | secrets uncovered

The pregnant teen sighed as she stacked all the clean dishes into the cabinet. She turned around to look at her Uncle.

"You know, you could get Jacob to help you around here," Talise told him. "He's more than capable."

"He doesn't do it right. There's food smudges in the plates when he's done."

"Food smudges? He needs his ass beat. I'm afraid to go in his room."

Billy shook his head. "You don't have to clean his room, Tali."

"Oh I'm not but he is," Talise said firmly as she untied her apron. As she walked outside, Billy smiled at the young lady's actions. His niece will make a great, stern mother.

As the teen wobbled outside, she noticed a familiar truck. She walked over to see Jacob picking up old, damaged motorcycles. "Jacob?"

Her young cousin turned around and smiled. "Talise, hey, Bella's here."

The pale teen smiled at Talise awkwardly, she avoided eye contact as well. "Hey."

Talise folded her arms over her blooming belly. "Hi," She replied simply. "Jake, what are you doing?"

"Bella came over, she wants to work on these bikes. Get these babies going," Jacob replied with a sly smile. Talise immediately didn't like the idea. It reminded her about what happened a few days ago when she hung out with the teen.

"Since when are you into motorcycles?" Talise asked, giving Bella a knowing look. "Adrenaline junkie, right?"

Bella laughed nervously. She looked between Jacob and his cousin. "Only now at least. Listen, Jake...if you don't want to–"

"No, I do. When do we start?"

Bella gave him a small smile. "Now, if you have time."

Talise sighed. "Jacob, remember to clean your room." As she began to walk away, Jacob stopped her.

"Wait, aren't you going to help me?" He leaned over closer to his cousin. "It's a mess in there."

Talise chuckled. "I have to get home and make dinner, my dad is coming over to my place tonight. Maybe tomorrow." Jacob kissed her forehead before walking back over to grab the bike and taking it to the shed.

In that moment, Bella and Talise were alone. "Listen, Bella, Jacob is like my little puppy. He's very loyal. Don't hurt him.."

Bella looked offended. "I-I wouldn't hurt him...ever. We're only friends."

Talise shook her head as she began to walk away. "We'll see."

•Where The Wild Things Grow•

Two weeks later

"In," Paul read from a book he had in hand titled "Pregnancy Tips" by some middle age lady who has NO children. The soon to be father was instructing his girlfriend to inhale for a moment. "Out." She exhaled. "They say this will help you when the kid gets here, can't believe it'll soon."