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"Tru, is everything okay?" My ’s fine Great, in fact" I run ue over my dry lips "Is Dad still there?"

"I’m here," he says

"Okay Jake’s here too, and, u a baby"

There’s utter silence For a really long tireat news, honey Really, really great news Isn’t it, Eva?" I can practically feel hi my mum to respond

"Cómo pudiste permitir que esto suceda?"

My face heats and prickles

"Que esto suceda? Let this happen, Ma about this conversation froet pregnant, obviously But it’s so that has happened, and we are both extre you would be too"

"We are happy," my dad insists

"Maive the band up, Jake?" she asks hiets a chance to speak

She sighs loudly "So he will be on the road touring, and you will be home alone in America with a baby"

"No," Jake butts in before I get another chance to speak

Probably a good thing because I’ht now

"We haven’t worked out the fine details yet, Eva, but Tru won’t be hoest part of our baby’s life I won’t have my child raised the way I was" The harshness of his tone surprises me, but I can’t blame him "I see your concern, really I do, but it won’t be that way I will always be here for them both I don’t want you and Billy to worry"

My mum is silent for a tense moment

"I want you to be happy about this, Mama This isn’t like you and Dad on the road Jake’s life is different--"

"Yes, it’s bigger than your father’s ever was Jake is busy and in demand, and his life is pressured Look at what happened the last tis and you found that girl in his bed You were brokenhearted"

"Ma that back up

"Enough, now, Eva," my dad says "You knohat happened"

It’s another tense moment of silence, as tears make their way down my cheeks

"I know I’ve screwed up in the past and let Tru down," Jake says, breaking the silence "Trust me, no one knows that better than I do" His voice is hoarse and it hurts ain I knohat I stand to lose, believeto me, and I want her happiness as much as you do"

I reach out and caress his cheek

I turn back to the phone "I thought you of all people would understand this, Mama" I rub the tears from my face "That you would be onthis baby"

I hear her sharp intake of breath "I am on your side, Tru I’m always on your side"

"So then be happy for randdaddy"

The moment of silence is soft, not sullen That’s when I know I have her

"How far along are you?" she asks, her voice wavering a little

"Six weeks" A smile bites my lips "I have some pictures I can scan one into the laptop and e-mail it to you"

"I’d love that"

"Okay," I say, wrapping the call up "I’ll scan it in soon and e-mail it over"

"Tru" She pauses "I’m happy for you…for you both"

Tears prick my eyes "Thanks, Mama I love you"

"Love you," Mama says

"And me!" Dad calls in

I chuckle past the lump in my throat "Love you too, Daddy"

"Oh, and nant," Ma prenatal vitaot it covered, Mama" I smile "Don’t worry"

"Okay, we’ll see you soon"

We all say our good-byes, and Jake ends the call I fall back against the sofa

"Bloody hell, that was stressful," Iscalp