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“Hello, I’m with HomeRes Realty. May I help you?”
“I’m Val, and I live here.”
“Valentina Carlucci? You own the other half of this duplex, don’t you? I’m Jeannie. Carol Watkins is the realtor for the owner of this apartment. She asked me to stop by and get some measurements.”
“Measurements? Is the apartment up for sale?”
Jeannie nods, “Yes, it will be put up for sale soon.”
“I see,” my head swims, “Is the listing for the entire duplex or just this apartment?”
She looks at the listing. “Only this apartment. So, no worries. It shouldn’t affect you at all.”
Jeannie explains, “There’s a note that states each side has its own title, so each side can be sold separately--”
“Are you sure it's going up for sale?” I interrupt, “Chase would have told me if he was thinking of selling the apartment.”
She just gives me a sympathetic look, “It only has the one side listed. If you’re that close, I’m surprised you didn’t know the apartment was going up for sale.”
“I need to get back to the office. You said you’re with HomeRes Realty?”
“Yes, here’s my card.”
“Thank you.”
I turn and walk out the door, feeling blindsided, confused, and numb.
Once I’m in my car, I drive blindly. My mind is a blur. I can’t even think right now. It’s like my mind is shutting down from overload. I see a park with a river view. I pull in, roll down the window, and turn off the engine.
I close my eyes and lean my head back against the seat.
Chase is putting his apartment up for sale. What does that mean? In a few months? In a year? Our agreement was for one year. Is he already feeling restless? Hemmed in? He hasn’t mentioned that in a while. I thought he was fine with our arrangement— because I am.
Maybe he’s met someone— No. No. I know he hasn’t. He wouldn’t do that to me, anyway. I trust Chase. Besides, we discuss almost everything— If that's true, then why didn’t he tell me he was putting his apartment up for sale?
Maybe he wants me to sell too, for both of us to move. Then why didn’t he discuss this with me? At the very least, mention it. He’s already seen a realtor and listed it for heaven's sake.
I put my hand on my head as I feel a tension headache coming on. I truly can’t think right now.
What about my uncle? I realize I don’t even care what happens to my uncle. Right now, I’m more concerned about losing what I have with Chase—my best friend, my husband.
I grimace. It took this to get my priorities straight? I lean my head back against the seat again, but my eyes remain open as I stare at the ceiling of my car.
All of a sudden, my head swims, and I feel nauseous. I quickly open my car door and lean out just in time as I get sick. When I’m done, I pull a napkin out of my glove compartment and wipe my mouth. I lean my head weakly on the steering wheel. Am I coming down with something?
That’s when it hits me. I count back over the months and realize it’s possible. My periods have always been irregular. I could be pregnant.
I’m on the pill. I do the math again. I decide I need to confirm it by taking a pregnancy test.
I drive to a nearby store and buy two pregnancy kits. When I pull into the driveway, I’m relieved that Jeannie is gone and that Chase isn’t home.
I let myself into my apartment and make my way to the bathroom. My hands shake as I wait for the results of the tests. I feel lightheaded again when I look and see two dark pink lines. I check the second test. Same pink lines.
I’m pregnant.
I sit down on the toilet lid and just sit there for a while. My head spins again, probably because I haven’t eaten anything today. I wash my hands and throw the tests in the trash can.
My first instinct is to call Chase and tell him everything. Tell him about the baby and also ask him why he put his apartment up for sale. After all, he is still my best friend.
