“What do you really want this baby to be? A boy or a girl?” Jody asked.

“I’m not saying because I’m afraid I’ll jinx it,” Paula said. “I know nothing about boys and very little about raising a child at all, so I suppose I should say the old thing about ‘as long as it’s healthy,’ but in my heart I really want . . .” She hesitated. “I can’t say it out loud. What if I say a boy and it’s a girl, and somehow she hears that I said that when she’s about fifteen and thinks I didn’t want her at all? Or if I say I want a girl, and it’s a boy and he does the same?”

“Whatever it is, we’ll learn as we go,” Mitzi said.

“Yes, we will,” Jody agreed.

Paula was the only one in the ultrasound waiting room that afternoon until Ellie Mae came in. Heat started on Paula’s neck and crept around to her cheeks. She tried not to look at Ellie Mae, but there were only so many ceiling and floor tiles that she could study.

Ellie Mae finally broke the awkward silence. “Guess we’ve both got a little secret, unless you’re here with Jody.”

“What makes you think that Jody is pregnant?” Paula asked.

“That’s the gossip around town. That Lyle left her because she’s been cheating on him and got herself pregnant,” Ellie Mae answered.

Paula lowered her chin, inhaled deeply, and let it out slowly. “Lyle left her because he was cheating and his baby mama is also practically a baby. He’s probably the one spreading that rumor to cover his own guilt.”

“Sorry bastard,” Ellie Mae muttered. “Then it must be you. When are you getting married?”

“I’m not. Is this your first ultrasound?”

Ellie Mae nodded. “Yes, and no one knows about the baby except me and Darrin. So please, please keep my secret. My mama is going to stroke out over the wedding dress. If she knew I was pregnant, she’d lay down and die from the embarrassment. So why aren’t you getting married?”

“I don’t want to marry the guy. I found out that he’s as big a bastard as Lyle,” Paula answered. “When are you due?”

“The end of October. Being a big girl does have its advantages, doesn’t it? We don’t look like we’ve swallowed a watermelon,” Ellie Mae said. “How about you?”

“First of September. I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine,” Paula said.

“You got a deal. When are you tellin’ your mama?” Ellie Mae asked.

“Tonight,” Paula answered.

Ellie Mae chuckled. “Looks like I get the best end of the deal. We’re not tellin’ anyone until we get home from the honeymoon. Honeymoon babies cook fast!”

A lady in green scrubs opened a door and said, “Paula, are you ready?”