Forgetting - Part 7

I walk into the clinic moments after Kim, but all she's doing is standing there in the middle of the office. I tap her on the shoulder and point to the reception desk. She takes a breath and walks up to the desk.



"Do you have an appointment?" The chick behind the desk asks skeptically.



"Um," Kim looks at me. "Yes."



"Name?" She stares at Kim. She seems to melt under the glance.



"Kimberly Brook." She says without thinking.



I nudge her and give her a look as if to say aloud, "Don't you remember your fake name?"



"I'm sorry, that name isn't here. You can make an appointment to come in another time if you want."



"No thank you. I think I will go home and never come back." She says and she books it out of the office like she was in mortal danger.



I run after her and catch her in the parking lot. This time I have the upper hand, the keys.



"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"



"Home."



"What about this?"



"This? What this?" She has a crazed, frantic look in her eye.



I put my hand on her stomach and say very slowly, "This."



"Oh, that."



"It wont magically go away Kim."



"I know but, well..."



"Well what?"



She takes a breath. "Well you were right! I'm running away when it should be my responsibility. I'm the one who got into this mess in the first place and it does have a beating heart after all." She puts her hands on her stomach and breaths deeply. "It's mine."

I put my hand on her shoulder and she looks at me. She actually has the balls to smile right now. Just another reason for me to admire her. Thanks.

"So when will you tell Jesse?"

The smile vanishes. "When it feels right."

"Kim, come on. You have to tell him soon. It's his too."

"You're right."

"And what about mom and dad?"

"I'll tell them if they notice."

"Kim."

"Or when it feels right." I shoot her a look. "Or when they get home."

"Are you sure you can do this? We can go back inside and get it done."

"No. I almost made a huge mistake Jules. I need to do this, I can feel it. Something is going to happen, just wait and see. It's going to be huge."

I believe it, but for some reason I am terrified of what will happen.