Serious Moonlight(94)

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was embarrassed. And terrified. And . . . I don’t know. I wanted to, but you were starting work at the hotel, and then Daniel happened, and I didn’t want to ruin any of that for you.”

She was going through all this, and I was prancing around with hearts in my eyes? My anger suddenly fizzled out. “We’re not supposed to keep secrets from each other. We made a pact. We’re gutsy gals.”

“I know, I know,” she said, eyes glossing over. “I was just scared is all. But I’m telling you now.”

“Are you keeping it?”

She nodded. “I’m due in early December. I haven’t even told my parents. Obviously Leon knows, and my doctor. But, you know, as far as friends and family, you’re the first person I’ve told.”

My head swam with all this new information. I was stunned. Stunned. I also felt ridiculous that I didn’t figure this out on my own. I’d known she wasn’t telling me something, but now that I thought back to all our conversations, it made sense. The signs were all there. I should have seen them:

Suspect: Mona Rivera

Age: 36

Occupation: Professional painter/artist; unprofessional costume designer

Motto: Glitter makes everything better.

Medical conditions: (1) Ambidextrous. (2) Broke her leg when she was 22. (3) Gives great hugs. (4) Obsessed with changing her appearance.

(5) Addicted to spicy food and pastries. [Not a period craving, but a pregnancy craving.]

Personality traits: Cheerful. Dramatic. Original. Loyal. Supportive. Risk-taker. Good sense of humor. Great sense of style. Recently guarded. [Worried about telling me she was pregnant.]

Background: Born on Bainbridge Island to Carlos and Iris Rivera, who managed a local theatrical playhouse before recently moving out of state. No siblings. Became best friend of Lily Lindberg when they were ten years old. Dated Leon Snodgrass twice, her only serious boyfriend; after second time, said she was done with relationships and would never marry or settle down, never have kids of her own. [Come to think of it, every time she says she’ll “never” do something, she almost always does it: i.e., now pregnant.]

Additional notes: Made excuses when Leon showed up this summer, saying they weren’t dating, yet acting weird and avoiding my questions [because she was secretly pregnant], and then Leon hugged me and said nothing would change [because he knew she was pregnant].

And, oh yeah: MONA IS GD PREGNANT.

My mouth tried to make words, but nothing came out for several moments. When I finally found my voice, I asked, “And Leon . . . This is why he came back? Because of the baby?”

“Yes and no? He was planning to come back anyway. He hates Austin. But yeah. He wants to be involved. And I’ve been trying to decide how I feel about that . . . and about him. We aren’t getting married or anything. That’s why I saw a lawyer. I wanted to know what options I had. Like, what if we don’t get along and he wants custody in a couple of years?”

“Good grief.”

“It’s not like I expect that to happen or anything. I just . . . God, Birdie. I just don’t know. I’m old and set in my ways. Look at me! I’m a fucking mess. My income is erratic, and I don’t keep normal hours. I’m completely irresponsible—I just stole a painting in broad daylight!”

“It was your painting.”

“I know, but responsible adults are supposed to behave, and I’m a terrible behaver.” She sighed heavily. “The scariest part about it is trying to figure out how I feel about Leon. He’s completely my opposite, and we’ve never been able to stay together for longer than a year or two. I mean, we’re friends. Good friends. Great in bed together.”

“Ugh,” I complained. “I don’t want to think about that.”

“But the most important thing is that he seems completely committed. He’s offering financial support—which I desperately need—and he bought a new condo in Winslow, less than ten minutes from here. He wants to change diapers and all that. He’s a good guy, and I like him—I know you don’t.”

“I don’t dislike him.”

She lightly shoved my shoulder. “Liar.”

“I don’t like how he treated you, that’s all.”

“It wasn’t just him. It was how we treated each other. Trust me, I’m not wife material. I’m not even mother material—look around! Can you see me raising a kid in here?”

“Well, yeah,” I said, choking up. “You already did.”

Tears pooled in her eyes. She reached for me, and I reached for her, and we held each other, both sobbing our eyes out. And then she cradled my face and said, “Nothing is going to happen to me. I’m healthy. The baby’s healthy. I’ve already had an ultrasound, and everything’s how it should be. And I’ll take every single test the doctor offers me, and I’ll go to all my appointments. I’m not Lily.”

“I know that.”

“I will never leave you.”

“But I’m so scared you will,” I admitted in a whisper.

“Birdie, when I say I won’t, I mean it. I’m not moving away, and I will never desert you. Ever,” she said, swiping beneath her eyes. “Besides, I may need you more than you need me.”