“How long has your libido been crazy?”
“What do you mean? I’m always horny.”
“Has it spiked in the past few weeks?”
“Yeah, but nothing serious. I haven’t been having sex. You know, the whole sexually frustrated for your freedom stuff and all.”
“Hm.” She felt my forehead. “You’re definitely not running a fever. When was your last period?”
“Uhm… I don’t know. A few weeks,” I said. This was getting a little weird.
“Was it heavy?” I shrugged. To be honest, I didn’t remember the exact date, but I had one. It was a little lighter than usual, but it was definitely there.
“What’s with the inquisition?” I was getting annoyed with all the questions. “Can I question you about Desmond? Have you called him yet?”
She was unmoved by my weak attempts to be left alone. “Are you pregnant?”
“No.” I rolled my eyes. “I haven’t had sex in a while, remember?”
She shook her head. “That doesn’t mean anything. You could have gotten pregnant during that last time you guys were together. Were you guys using protection?”
“Yes, we were,” I affirmed my statement with confidence, but paused. “We had condoms for every round but the last round. There wasn’t enough time to go to the store, so we just decided to take a chance. But he pulled out.”
“And you say you’ve gotten your period.”
“Yes.” I nodded. “It was a little shorter than usual, but it was a period.”
Natalia eyed me with a faint suspicion. “Women still get periods when they’re pregnant. Some women never stop getting them during their pregnancy.”
“Throwing up once and feeling like crap the rest of the day doesn’t mean I’m pregnant.”
“No it doesn’t, but I’m looking at your boobs and they’re definitely swelling.” She poked one of them playfully. “And you’ve been complaining of fatigue a few times over the past couple of days.”
“Really?” I wrinkled my lip. I hadn’t realized I’d been so tired lately. “Maybe I need more green juice.” I sat up, pushed the covers off and headed to the kitchen to grab a bottle of cold-pressed green juice I’d gotten from the store. Chugging the spinach, lime, and apple blend was refreshing, but I still wanted to lay down. I closed the cap and brought the bottle back in the room with me.
“See?” I posed, holding the bottle. “All I needed was a little green in my life.”
Natalia shook her head, rolling her eyes at my behavior. I settled into bed and pressed her about Desmond. If she was going to press me about a pregnancy that didn’t exist, and make something out of nothing, I was going to press her about the handsome stranger who paid the bill on our expensive lunch.
“What about him?”
“You’re not going to call him?” I said.
“I’m still a married woman,” Natalia insisted. “I cannot court another man until I’m divorced. Who knows if Hollis will change his mind?”
I sighed. I didn’t want to be a bitch, but the writing was all over the wall. Anytime a man tells your child you’re getting a divorce, sends you packing without a care in the world, and has a mistress, I don’t think he’s changing his mind. But I couldn’t be harsh about it and create any bad blood between us while she was so vulnerable.
“There’s no harm in meeting anyone.” I persisted, emphasizing the finer points of their conection. “Desmond’s not trying to marry you. I’m sure he just wants the opportunity to get to know you. There’s no harm in that. Did you see his business card? He works for a huge real estate firm! He can probably help you find a job if I can’t. Think of this as a networking opportunity.”
Natalia initially resisted, insisting upon the need to remain faithful to Hollis. But when I drove home the fact that she didn’t come here to lose out and live inside the house, she winced. When I reminded her the new connections she would make here - starting with Desmond - were the keys to success in rebuilding her life, she became more and more convinced I was right.
“You could use a little chivalry in your life,” I teased. “I heard that little sigh that escaped when he kissed the top of your hand.”
“I threw away his card.”
“That’s okay, dahhhhlin’.” I motioned for her to grab my purse. “He left another one inside our checkbook.”
“Heifer,” she mumbled, turning beet-faced in defeat.
“It’s okay. You’ll thank me later.”