In My Desperate Time

My belly is growing bigger, and I can’t conceal my pregnancy at all when I approach twenty weeks.
I’m glad I left Virginia. Otherwise, Frances would have discovered that I’m pregnant, and the baby should be gone by now.
My old phone is in the suitcase. For several times I want to see if Frances has texted me. I want to know if he cares about my
departure. Even if he feels just a little bit irritated or angry, that counts.
But in the end, I don’t have the courage to turn on the phone. I’m afraid to hear from him, and I’m even more afraid that he hasn’t
texted me at all.
I miss him. I think of him every second, every minute and every night.
However, he is not to be seen on TV in a foreign country. And I don’t dare to read the news online, afraid that it will be all about
him and other women.
My inner conflict almost drives me crazy.
One day I take a short trip to the supermarket. When I come back, I find that my parents are delightful.
During these two months, I find that they are good people, who give me family warmth that I haven’t experienced for a long time.
Mother’s name is Yvonne Bradley, and she is a very gentle woman. She treats me well with maternal love that I lack.
“Dad, Mom, why are you so happy?” Just as I enter the room, Mom walks over and takes the bag from my hand. She helps me
to the table and nags. “Don’t buy so many things if you go to the supermarket alone. What if you’re tired?”
“Okay.” I nod and continue to ask, “What happened? Have you won the lottery? Why are you so happy?”
“No. Someone is coming to see you.” Dad says with a smile.
Someone?
I think of Frances, my heart pounding.
“Who?”
As I speak, I find that my voice is trembling from nervousness.
“Steven of course. Who else could it be?” Mom says.

My heart sinks in disappointment. I smile bitterly, laughing at myself. Who else will come to see me? I miss Frances so much that
I first think of him.
However, how could it be him? I’m thinking too much.
“When?” I force a smile and turn to ask Mom.
“This evening. He is such a thoughtful man. If I were you, I would have married him a long time ago.” Mom smiles.
“What are you talking about? We are just friends, very, very good friends.” I hastily explain.
Every time Steven comes over, Mom teases me. No matter how I explain, she doesn’t believe me.
“What friend? You’re deceiving yourself. Why does a friend care about you so much that he travels from abroad to accompany
you to the antepartum examination?”
I’m lost for words. Mom’s right.
Antepartum examinations in Prague require the presence of the father, so Steven flies in to accompany me to each check-up.
I’ve told him several times that I will just hire a man to go with me, but he insists on accompanying me. I can’t do anything about
him. .
At eight o’clock in the evening, Steven knocks on the door.
“Come on in. We’ve been expecting you for a long time.”
Mom warmly leads him into the room, as if he is her son-in-law.
I heard that my parents had a daughter, but they lost her in a car accident. So when Steven found them and asked them to be
my parents, they readily agreed.
Perhaps they are the same as me. We all need love. That’s why we can get along so well.