Life hadn’t always been fair for Katherine Lynn Summers, but she had always managed to keep a positive attitude. After her mother died when she was twelve, she mourned but was positive everything would work out living with her grandmother. At fourteen she had fallen out of the treehouse at her friend’s house and the pain was excruciating but she was positive it would give her more time to concentrate on her studies and she’d get into Harvard like she had dreamed. When she was sixteen and found out her boyfriend had cheated on her with a blonde bimbette cheerleader she had decided that she was positive that she never wanted to date again, and she kept that going until college. Living with her grandmother had given her the freedom to be herself, eight weeks in a cast had given her time to bring up her grades, and Bradley turned out to be a pot smoking slaker who would have dragged her down into the gutter with him. Today, however, she wasn’t sure if the positive was going to be a good or bad thing.

  Katie sat in the quiet of her safe little VW bug and stared at the hundred-year-old Victorian house with its wraparound porch and beautiful bay windows. As a teenager Katie loved sitting on the cushioned bench and reading in the living room bay window. These days the intricate stained-glass design which framed the top pains annoyed her to no end. They were difficult to keep clean and the sun cast odd creepy colors on the walls of the living room. There were many things she loved about the old house, but many more she had hated. Mostly she stayed there because it was where she grew up and her grandmother had given it to her in her will.

  Her gaze drifted to the old oak tree in the front yard, the one she had climbed countless times as a child. Now, its branches seemed to reach out to her like comforting arms, reminding her of simpler times. With a deep breath, Katie opened the car door and stepped out, the cold air biting at her cheeks. She made her way up the cobblestone path, each step feeling heavier than the last.

  Katie pushed the button on her speed dial to call her best friend, Cheri. Looking at the pharmacy bag leaning against her old brown leather purse on the passenger seat.

  “Hey, can you come over? I don’t think I can do this by myself.”

  “I’m already sitting in your kitchen waiting for you,” Cheri stated emphatically. “You didn’t see my truck parked in front?”

  “Nope,” Katie gave a nervous laugh. “I guess I was just a bit preoccupied. I’ll be in in a second.”Katie turned to see the custom iridescent purple Chevy Silverado parked on the street. Cheri loved that thing. Katie just considered it ostentatious. She had lifted it so high getting in was a bitch. However, she had to admit it was fun when they adventured into the mountains and lakes. They had taken that thing most drivers wouldn’t even dare think about going, and they did it without fear of getting stuck.

  Katie grabbed her purse, and the bag, and headed into the house.

  As she reached the porch, she paused, her hand hovering over the brass doorknob. The weight of what she was about to do settled on her shoulders. She had always been positive, always found the silver lining in every situation, but this was different. This was life-changing.

  Katie pushed the door open and was greeted by the familiar creak of the floorboards. The house smelled of aged wood and lavender, a scent that always reminded her of her grandmother. She closed the door behind her and took a moment to steady herself. This wasn’t just any house; this was her sanctuary, a place filled with memories both good and bad.

  Her steps echoed in the hallway as she made her way to the kitchen, her heart pounding in her chest. The pharmacy bag felt like it weighed a ton as she clutched it tightly. She knew Cheri would be there for her, just as she always had been, but that didn’t make this any easier.

  Katie entered the kitchen and saw Cheri sitting at the table, her face lighting up with a reassuring smile. She took a deep breath and tried to muster the courage she needed.

  Cheri sat at the kitchen table with two bottles in front of her, one sparkling apple cider and the other Jose Cuervo tequila. Katie raised an eyebrow at Cheri.

  “Either way we are going to celebrate. What took you so long? I’ve been watching you sit in your car for at least fifteen minutes.”

  Katie pulled the little blue and white box out of the bag and felt like she was going to puke, not for the first time that day.

  Her hands trembled slightly as she placed the box on the table. Cheri's eyes widened with a mix of curiosity and concern. Katie took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. This moment felt surreal, a pivotal point that could change her life forever.

  Cheri reached over and gave Katie's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together," she said softly.

  Katie nodded, appreciating the support but still feeling a knot of anxiety in her stomach. She tore open the box and took out the pregnancy test, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. What if it was positive? What if it wasn't? Each scenario seemed equally daunting.

  “I’m a bit nervous. I’m just not sure what I’m going to do if it comes back positive.”

  “In todays day and age you have plenty of options. You don’t have to actually have it.”

  “I could never!” Katie was almost offended, but she knew that Cheri was just trying to be supportive.

  “I know. I was just saying.”

  Katie sat down next to Cheri and gently took her hand.

  “I remember what you went through. For you it was the right choice. You were only seventeen and Richard would have been a horrible father. For me, now, even if Jacob disappeared, I am perfectly capable of raising this baby with a good stable life.”

  “You are more than capable, having a family has always been a dream for you, and I’d be a fabulous aunt.”

  “How come you're not doing this with Jacob?”

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  “We really haven’t talked about it.”

  “Not at all? He already asked you to marry him.”

  “Well, we’ve talked about it as a fantasy, it a more far off sense. I do know he wants kids. But we haven’t talked about it as in making plans. There is a difference.”

  “Well let’s get this done and see if there is actually anything to plan for.” Cheri grabbed a red solo cup from the cupboard and headed towards Katies bedroom. “Why haven’t you moved into Grams room yet? She’s been gone for almost a year now.”

  “I don’t know, it just feels like she’s still in there. I always feel like she’s watching me.”

  Once at Katie’s bedroom door Cheri stopped and turned as if thinking.

  “What?”

  “Let’s do this in Gram’s room. It’ll be a way of having her a part of it.”

  “OK,” Katie smile, but was a bit hesitant since she hadn’t stepped foot in the room since the day of the funeral.

  Katie opened Gram’s bedroom door. The hot stale air whooshed out at them. Everything was covered in a years’ worth of dust, the bed was still mussed up from the morning Katie walked in to find her grandmother had passed away from a heart attack during the night, and there were still tire tracks in the carpet from the gurney the paramedics had brought up to take her away in. Katie hesitated for a moment, taking in the sight and the memories flooding back. Cheri gently nudged her forward.

  “Come on, Katie, let’s do this with Grams,” Cheri encouraged softly. Katie took a deep breath and stepped inside. The air was thick, filled with the scent of age and loss. It was as if time had frozen in this room.

  “I can’t believe it’s been a year,” Katie whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She walked over to the bed and ran her fingers over the dusty quilt, remembering the warmth and love her grandmother had always provided.

  Cheri, sensing Katie’s hesitation, took charge. “Alright, let’s make this place a little more presentable,” she said, grabbing a red solo cup from her bag. She handed it to Katie with a reassuring smile. “This will be good for both of us.”

  Katie nodded, her resolve strengthening. Together, they began the task of reclaiming the room from the clutches of time, each movement a silent tribute to the woman who had meant so much to them both.

  “Grams would’ve be do disappoint in the state of this room,” Cheri laughed as she plopped down on the stripped bed. “Here, take this cup and go fill it while I do a little more straightening up in here.”

  “I never understood why Gram’s had cleaning supplies in every room of the house, but I’m glad she did. I didn’t even have go searching for stuff. It was all in the closet.”

  “Grams was lazy. She didn’t want to carry stuff up and down stairs and from room to room. But she didn't want to live in filth either.” Katie laughed. “That’s also why she had the old dumbwaiter upgraded. She just put stuff in it, push the up button, and then she didn’t have to drag laundry baskets up and down the stairs.”

  “Did you dip that stick yet?”

  “Yeah, this is going to be the longest three minutes of my life.”

  Cheri picked up a small wooden locked box.

  “Did you ever find out what was in this thing?”

  “Nope, Gram’s just always said it was a special inheritance I’d get when she died. I really hadn’t even thought about it.”

  “It sounds like paper, might be money,” Cheri shook the box. “Where’s the key?”

  Katie pulled a small silver key out of a drawer on the bedside table and plopped down on the bed.

  “Let’s see what Gram’s special inheritance is.” Katie laughed.

  No matter how down and depressed Katie was Cheri was always able to get her out of her own head and laugh. Cheri had been her best friend since elementary school. They had been through everything from hurtful rumors to family deaths together.

  Cheri slipped the thin sliver key into the lock and opened the box. Inside she found her mom’s wedding rings, a stack of $2.00 bills, and a small envelope with a letter written on her Gram’s personal stationery addressed to her.

  “Do you want me to leave while you read it, or stay?”

  “Stay.” Katie began to read it aloud.

  Dearest Katie,

  If you’re reading this letter I must have passed away. I can only hope it was a quiet peaceful passing, either way I’ve left you.

  Since the day you were born you have been the light of my life. Every moment of every day of your life I have been thankful to God for bringing you into my family. I’ve watched you struggle, and I’ve watched you succeed. I’ve watched you in your loneliest days and I’ve watched you build a long and lasting relationship with Cherly. I’ve watched you mourn the deaths of both your parents, and I’ve celebrated your life’s achievements. I have no doubt that you will get through this time with grace and love.

  I need you to do one last thing for me, before you clean out the house to sell. I know at some point you will sell it. It’s not really your style. Before you do, please contact Ms. Shayla Well’s. The last time I heard she lived in Sharon Hills. She has information you need to know about. I probably should have told you, but I never wanted you to be burdened with this. There just isn't anyone else.

  I love you, never forget that.

  Grams

  Katie dropped the letter on the bed with the rest of the stuff from the box and sat quietly for a moment before forcing herself to perk up.

  “Ok, it’s got to have been three minutes by now!” Katie announced a little too brightly.”

  “Let’s see what the outcome is.”

  Katie pulled the pregnancy test out of the box only to see two blue lines. A soft small smile formed on her face.

  Her breath hitched as she stared at the result. It was a moment of realization, a future suddenly painted in hues of anticipation and joy. She felt a rush of emotions, a quiet resolve settling in her heart.

  “Looks like its sparkling cider to celebrate!” Katie laughed.

  “WOOT!” Cheri jumped up on the bed and screamed. “I’m going to be an aunt!”

  “How do you know I’m going to keep it?” Katie laughed as Cheri’s jumping bounced her up and down on the bed.

  “After all these years I know what you’re going to do before you do. Besides, the smile said it all. So now how to tell Jacob he’s going to be a daddy.”

  “I want to confirm it with a doctor first. I can call now and see how fast I can get in.”

  Katie made a quick call as Cheri continued to clean the dust off the dresser and end tables.

  Katie’s voice was calm and collected as she spoke to the receptionist, explaining her situation and arranging the appointment. Cheri's movements were rhythmic and soothing, providing a backdrop of normalcy to the whirlwind of thoughts in Katie's mind. Once the call was finished, Katie slipped her phone into her pocket and took a deep breath.

  “Alright, it’s set. Tomorrow morning, and the lab today,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with excitement.

  Cheri turned around, a duster in hand, and gave a triumphant grin. “Well then, let's not waste any time. Ready to go?”

  Katie nodded, and the two friends shared a moment of silent understanding before heading out the door.

  Within a few minutes the two girls were in Cheri’s truck on the way to the lab.

  The ride was filled with a mixture of excited chatter and comfortable silence. Cheri's truck hummed along the familiar roads, the early morning sunlight casting a golden hue on the passing scenery. Katie stared out the window, her mind racing with the possibilities of the future, while Cheri occasionally glanced over, offering a reassuring smile.

  "So, how are you feeling about all this?" Cheri finally asked, breaking the silence.

  Katie sighed, a soft smile playing on her lips. "A bit nervous, to be honest. But also excited, you know? It's a huge change, but I think I'm ready for it."

  Cheri nodded, her eyes focused on the road ahead. "You'll be an amazing mom, Katie. And you know I'll be here every step of the way."

  Katie reached over and squeezed Cheri's hand, grateful for her unwavering support. As they approached the lab, the reality of the situation began to sink in even more. Today was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one filled with challenges and joys she had yet to experience.

  They pulled into the parking lot, and Cheri found a spot near the entrance. Katie took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. "Here we go," she said, her voice filled with determination.

  Together, they walked into the lab, ready to face whatever the future held.