Page 52 of Words Unspoken

Ann barely waited for the hello. “Elle? Have you seen today’s papers?”

“Max and Piaget mentioned we made the Times,” replied Elle. “Noah went out to buy one.”

Ann had a panicked laugh. She could imagine Noah when he saw the tabloids at the newspaper stands.

“Ann, are you okay? Max didn’t think it was that bad,” a concerned Elle said.

Ann groaned. “We made more than the Times.”

“I am sure the Journal has followed suit. You know how newspapers all print nearly the same thing,” Ann could hear one of the twins babbling in the background. “Ethan, let go of the phone. Sorry about that.”

“We made the tabloids. It is lurid and trashy, and it is front page,” Ann repeated the headline.

Elle was silent for a moment. “This isn’t good.”

“No,” she could not bring herself to tell Elle about the baby bump speculation. Her phone vibrated. “Geanie is on the other line. I will add her to our call.”

Ann punched in the necessary buttons, “Hi Geanie.”

“On my aunt Viola’s grave, are you preggers with Michael’s baby?!”

“What?” demanded Elle.

“No!” Ann sat down abruptly on a street bench that was meant for people waiting for the bus. An old man looked at her and kept feeding the pigeons.

“Then it is George’s,” Geanie sounded so disappointed.

“There is no baby,” clarified Ann. “Apparently I just was fat in the dress.”

“The one you wore yesterday? You looked beautiful in that dress,” protested Elle.

“Yeah, well tell it to the press,” Ann had a bitter laugh. “They think you are pregnant with a second set of twins.”

Elle was silent.

“Elle?” Geanie drew out her name. “Is there something you would like to share?”

“I just went to the doctor this past week. I am expecting. I haven’t even told Noah yet!”

“Is it twins?” gushed Geanie.

“It is far too early to tell that sort of thing. Besides, the chances of having twins twice is unlikely. How did they know?” wondered Elle, bewildered.

“Congratulations,” said Ann. She was happy for her friend. She was also a little sad she had no baby bump of her own. “How was Michael this morning?”

“Good. He slept through most of our visit, but the nurses said that was normal. They expect he will be more awake this afternoon,” Elle was kind with her next question. “Are you going to go see him?”

“Yes,” Ann could not imagine not seeing him.

“Are you certain, Ann?” Geanie is voice was gentle. “You will get sucked into his life again.”

“I love him,” Ann replied simply. She was already sucked into his life. She didn’t want to live without him. “I am going home to eat a pint of ice cream since I am fat anyways. I will let you know what I decide to do.”

There was a loud noise in the background of the phone. Elle’s voice came through, dryly. “Noah is home with five tabloids and two newspapers. He looks fit to be tied. I will call back later.”

“Good luck,” Ann said before Elle disconnected.

“Honey, did you really throw that ring or did they photoshop that?” asked a curious Geanie.