Imperfect Love, Chapter 1, Part 3

Lauren sat at one of the staff lunch tables looking forward to some quiet time while she considered different ways she could tell Paul the amazing news. She could write a poem or send him on a treasure hunt or give him a box with baby formula inside. She needed something creative.

"Mind if I sit with you?" JoAnn, one of the math teachers, asked.

Lauren mentally rolled her eyes. Everyone knew that JoAnn was a talker and shared intimate details of people’s personal lives. The last person Lauren wanted to sit with was JoAnn, but she didn’t want to be rude. Lauren motioned with her hand, convinced she’d regret it. "Sure."

JoAnn flopped onto the chair, making a loud creak. "I’m on a diet. Doctor said I need to lose 90 pounds. I don’t agree, but my husband made me promise to eat this rabbit food." She started poking her small salad. "You’re lucky to be so tiny. I bet you’ve never worried about having to lose weight."

"Running helps me stay in shape." She probably wouldn’t be able to do much running in the coming months, though. The corners of her mouth lifted.

"Exercise? Yeah, the doctor said I needed to do that, too. I think he’s trying to kill me instead of make me healthy. Besides, it’s common knowledge that menopause makes you gain weight." She looked at Lauren.

"But you’ve got years before you have to worry about that. Are you going to start having your family soon? I mean, it’s none of my business, you see, but time keeps marching on. I had my babies back in my twenties. Course, they’re all grown now. I keep hoping they’ll make me a grandma soon. Kids these days don’t like to get married or have kids ‘til they’re older." JoAnn finally stopped talking and took a bite of her salad.
Lauren hoped they could enjoy the rest of the lunch period in silence.

Several minutes later, JoAnn began again. "Did you hear about Mr. Thompson?" JoAnn leaned in closer. "His classroom computer was loaded with porn." JoAnn nodded. "Yep. He had all sorts of disgusting things on it. I hear he’s going to be fired. And that new secretary in the front office—she has a stalker who keeps coming by the school. I heard he’s left her flowers and candy and notes even after she told him to get lost."

Lauren didn’t know Mr. Thompson well, but she was uncomfortable being involved in a conversation with such serious accusations. Besides, she didn’t want to be associated with any disparaging remarks about her coworkers. She preferred to mind her own business and didn’t want to be pulled into anyone else’s. "How were your classes today?"

"The same as they always are."

Before JoAnn could launch into any other gossip, Lauren said, "We’re beginning our study of the Holocaust."

"Oh. I’m glad I only have to teach numbers. I’d never be able to teach kids about why a madman killed so many people. Numbers I understand. People? Not so much."

"And numbers make my head implode." Lauren smiled.

"You know what else I heard about—"

"I’d love to stay and chat, but I need to prepare for my next class." Lauren stood. "It was good talking to you, JoAnn."

"You too. We should do it more often." JoAnn had a spot of ranch salad dressing on her chin, but Lauren was too embarrassed to tell her.

"Have a good day," Lauren said as she left.

Since the lunch period was almost over, Lauren would have to wait until after school to think of a special way to tell Paul.

Thank you for reading the first chapter of Imperfect Love. I hope you enjoyed it. You can purchase Imperfect Love here.

Imperfect Love, Chapter 1, Part 1

A plus sign.

Lauren Wilson blinked the hopeful tears back. Was she seeing it right? She flicked on the bathroom light for a better look and scrutinized the pregnancy test wand.

Definitely a plus sign.

She leaned against the wall. A baby.

Some moments are milestones, and some milestones are moments. Lauren gazed at the wand again. This is definitely both.

After trying for over two years—well, she seemed to be more intent on conceiving than her husband, Paul, but that didn’t matter now. The wondering, hoping, then crying, month after month, didn’t matter. Nothing mattered now. She was pregnant. Excitement bubbled up inside her. She’d finally have a baby and the happily-ever-after she’d dreamed about since she was a little girl.

Lauren rested her hand across her stomach, her fingers tingling. After all this time, it was finally her turn.

Finally.

She rushed into the bedroom to find her cell phone and call Paul with the news. Her anxious fingers stumbled over the keypad, searching for his speed dial number. What if he’s in a meeting? What if he can’t take the call? I don’t want to leave this on his voicemail. 

She ended the call before it could go through and sat on the bed. This wasn’t something she wanted to tell him over the phone. It was too momentous. Too amazing. Too wonderful.

A photo caught her eye. She handled the delicate metal frame, memories of her wedding flooding her mind. What a perfect day it had been at the church on Third Avenue in Durango, her hometown. It was such a beautiful beginning to their life together, and now they’d move to the next step—adding a baby to their family.

Ideas of how to tell Paul swirled around her head. She wanted to make it special for him, so she decided to take some time to come up with just the right way to let him know he was going to be a daddy. Daddy. The word felt sweet and satisfying on her tongue.

Lauren glanced at the clock on the light green wall opposite the bed. Seven thirty. She’d have to hurry—she didn’t want to be late for her first class.

Her hands stroked her stomach. I’m going to have a baby. I can’t wait to tell Paul. He’ll be as thrilled as I am.

Stay tuned for the next installment.

You can purchase Imperfect Love here.

Special Announcement

I would've gotten dressed, put on make-up, and fixed my hair if only I'd known this would be posted on the internet. Oh well, the super exciting and fantastic news is worth looking a little shabby. I still get teary when I watch this.