And now they were teasing her about not being able to keep secrets. She almost blurted it out just to show them, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out. Then she figured that she’d get back at them, since they thought they were so funny.

“That’s it. I’ve got a secret boyfriend. Graham and I’ve been seeing each other for a month. That’s why he moved here,” she finally said.

Mitzi looked like she was about to cry.

Jody stared at her like she had an extra eye right in the middle of her forehead.

“Are you telling the truth?” Mitzi’s eyes swam in unshed tears.

“I don’t believe you,” Jody whispered.

“I’m so sorry. I was trying to be funny, but that was mean,” Paula hurriedly apologized. “But after that shock, what I do have to say won’t be near as dramatic. Here’s the truth.” Paula took a deep breath and laid her hand on her stomach, which she concentrated hard on settling with a few sips of sweet tea.

“You’re turning a little green around the mouth,” Jody said. “Do you, are you . . . I can’t even say the words.”

“Do you have something incurable?” Mitzi whispered.

“No, it’ll be cured in about three months,” Paula whispered.

Fresh tears flowed down Jody’s face. “I’ve been selfish thinking only about me and my heartache. How long have you had this?”

“Six months, but I only found out about it three months ago. I’m not dying—I’m pregnant,” Paula spit it out.

The whole house went silent. Not a single tree limb brushed against a window. The refrigerator motor wasn’t running, and the ceiling fan didn’t even squeak like normal. Paula wished she had a tigereye stone tucked away in her bra. Those brought courage.

“You’re kiddin’ again, right?” Jody finally whispered. “We’d have known if . . .”

“This is huge. When? Where? Who’s the father? Are you getting married and leaving us?” Questions poured from Mitzi.

Paula shook her head. “Slow down and listen to me. At first I was in denial. You know I’ve never been regular. I didn’t even know until three months ago. Then the doctor said that there was a possibility I’d have a miscarriage, so . . .” Paula hesitated a minute before she continued. “But when I went for my checkup this week, I’d passed the second trimester and she says she thinks the baby is going to be fine now. I didn’t want to worry y’all.”

“B-but you don’t look . . .” Jody stammered.

“Us big girls don’t always get the popular baby bump.” Paula laid a hand on her stomach.

“Or people think we’re pregnant when we aren’t,” Mitzi said. “Who, what, when?”

“Long version or short?”

“Every single word,” Jody said.

“Okay, here goes. I was seeing a man in Tulia,” Paula said.