Faster We Burn

stomach.
    “Right there.” Katie pointed to an invisible bump that only she could see.
    “If it’s any consolation, I can’t see anything,” I said as Kayla smoothed her hands over the invisible bump.
    “I told her that, but she’s been paranoid,” Adam said. “I’m telling you, sweetie, you can’t see anything.” He put his hands around her and kissed the side of her face.
    “Well, congratulations anyway,” I said, poking Katie, who was still gaping at Kayla.
    “Thanks,” Adam said. “We didn’t plan it, but then some of the best things are unplanned, aren’t they?”
    “Amen to that,” I said.
    Katie still seemed like she was in shock.
    “You’re pregnant?” she whispered, looking at Kayla.
    “Yeah, I am.” Kayla said, starting to cry. “You’re gonna be an auntie.”
    Then Katie burst into tears and they hugged and cried and laughed. Adam and I just looked at each other. Sometimes there was no understanding the Hallman women. Didn’t mean we wouldn’t try.
    The front door opened and Mrs. Hallman poked her head out.
    “What are you all doing out here? What’s wrong?” She was immediately alarmed because of the tears.
    Kayla sighed and looked at Adam.
    “Well, I was going to wait until Christmas, but I guess now is a good a time as any.” She took Adam’s hand and pulled him close. “We’re going to have a baby.” She beamed and waited for the reaction.
    “You’re pregnant?” Mrs. Hallman clutched her chest and looked like she was going to faint. Katie reached out and grabbed her so she didn’t fall. “Oh my God, you’re pregnant ?” Like daughters, like mother, she burst into tears and threw herself at Kayla and at Adam. Lots more tears and hugging ensued.
    “So you’re happy?” Kayla said. “I know we’re not married…”
    “Oh, who cares?! I’m going to be a grandmother. Oh, Kayla! Come on, let’s get you into the house.”
    “Mom, I’m fine.”
    “The cold isn’t good for you, come on.” Rolling her eyes behind her mother’s back, Kayla let herself be led inside and the rest of us followed.
    Unlike Thanksgiving, the house was nearly bare of decorations. There was an undecorated tree, and not much else, which surprised me. Or maybe it wasn’t surprising, giving the absence of Mr. Hallman.
    Mrs. Hallman led Kayla into the kitchen and forced her to sit down and have some tea, before slamming her with questions about the baby and how far along she was and everything else. Katie and I slipped away so I could get my things and put them in her room. She’d said that it would be okay for me to stay in her room, but I wasn’t going to hold my breath. I could always bunk down in the basement if I had to.
    “Kayla’s a big one for the surprises, isn’t she? First it was the engagement, now this.”
    “Yeah, I can’t believe it. I knew she wanted kids, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t this soon.” She sat down on her bed, lay back and closed her eyes. “I wonder if this means she’s going to come home. That would be good.”
    “Yeah, it would take some of the pressure off you.”
    “I shouldn’t even think of it as pressure. I shouldn’t think of it that way. I should want to do it. She’s my mom, Stryker.”
    “I know, I know.” I lay down next her, squishing myself against her on the twin bed. “Listen, I have a present for you, but I wanted to give it to you when it was just the two of us. I know it’s not Christmas, but I want to give it to you now, if that’s ok.”
    She turned on her side to face me, smiling.
    “Okay. Give it to me.”
    “Geez, demanding much?” I bit her shoulder as I got up and fished in my bag. I’d pre-wrapped her presents in paper I’d drawn on myself.
    “Stryker. It’s so pretty.” I’d duplicated a lot of the drawings I’d made on her body. “I almost don’t want to unwrap it. Almost.”
    I sat down beside her and tried not to freak out as she slowly unpeeled the wrapping from her present.
    “Oh, Stryker.” She revealed a wooden box that I’d painted on. Then she turned it and saw what the painting was. “Oh my God.”
    “I may or may not have stolen that picture from your house last time I was here.”
    I’d painted a picture of her father on the top of the box, from a photograph that I’d commandeered from an album last time I was at her house. I had the feeling I’d need it at some point, even if it was just to give to her. Mr. Hallman sat on the recliner and smiled, waving at the camera.