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"You tired?"

"A little" I’m always tired now I don’t kno someone so tiny can wear me down sosure I’ me do much around the house And even with all that, I can’t keepthe worst of it My breasts hurt And I have cra This is only nine weeks in I still have thirty-one more weeks of this and I don’t knohat to expect next

It has to get better, though, right?

I haven’t brought a guy hoe In my twenty years, I’ve only ever had two serious boyfriends outside of Park So it shouldn’t have surprised me when my parents fawned all over him to the point of embarrassment

We sit down for lunch and before Park can take the seat next toPark to sit across from me instead

"Are you in school with Lulu?" Dad asks

Park nods "I’ on an acadeure it’s better to point out Park’s attributes before I tell the his baby Maybe I should wait Maybe I shouldn’t tell the I shouldn’t ruin this by igniting a nuclear bomb

Yeah I should probably wait I have plenty of ti to know Park

Yeah That sounds like a good idea

"How are classes going, Lu?" Moood"

"And your professors? You like theuess?" Mom sets her fork down and focuses her full attention on ood Everything is good"

Moether as she continues to watch htly and she clears her throat "So everything’s good That’s good"

"Park," Dad begins and I hear the silent laughter in his voice "Has Lucy told you about her co her preschool years?"

I roll o…

"Couldn’t keep clothes on her for anything," Mooes on

Moht up "Poor Sister Marie was nearly hospitalized froh the halls in her birthday suit"

Park releases a bark of laughter and I sigh audibly Every single time They live for my humiliation

"We aren’t Catholic," I remind Mom "And I never went to preschool That was Jere," Jeremy corrects "Just preschool"

"No," Dad muses "I’m pretty sure it was Lucy"

"I haven’t heard that story," Park announces "But I understand she had an unusual addiction to toilet water…?"

I cupfood Mo in hysterics

"Oh, I like you," Morins "He’s a keeper"

Dad leans over and slaps Park on the shoulder "Quickest gah a phase where she hated clothing," Mom says "She o and every ti off her clothes"

Park nods "I’d say it was more than a phase Nonaked every chance she gets"

My mouth pops open in shock and the entire table quiets

"Did…" Dad looks at Moame on us?"

I close my mouth as Park’s lips twist up in a superior s a bite of his pasta

"Kudos, Mr Reed" Molass of wine "Like I said, keep this one"

"Coffee’s ready," Molass into the dishwasher

"Oh, no thanks" I press the button, starting the cycle and straighten up to Mo at me over her cup

"You always have coffee"

I press ether as I try to coh my mind is caffeine is bad for the baby "I just don’t want any"

She sips frolued toto the sink I grab the dishrag and start wiping the counters down just to giveto do Some reason to not have to look at her

"Are you sure everything’s all right?"

"I’’s--"

"Good?"

"Exactly," I whisper

"Fine" She pivots on her heel, her long, dark hair swinging behind her as she leaves me in the kitchen I blow out a breath and lean over the countertop I dropthearound the doorway "Ride with me on an ice cream run?"

I could use the break away from Mom for a little bit I hesitate as I conte old There are only so many trips to the freezer section left inin "Okay, let’s go"

40

Park