Free Red Serpent: The Falsifier by Delson Armstrong

said Alex. “So, what’s been happening?”
    She looked apprehensive and sighed. “I really don’t know how to say this to you.”
    “Just say it, Angel.” Alex said. “I asked you last night as well and you didn’t tell me anything.”
    “You walked away from me,” she said.
    “You weren’t saying anything! You know you were like this a while back too.”
    “When?”
    “Two weeks before the graduation. You had to say something about our life together while I was busy working on my speech.”
    “See! It’s always about you. You never ask how I am or what’s wrong with me.”
    “I’m asking you right now.” Alex protested.
    “You ask it as if you don’t care.”
    “Oh! Should I say it like this?” He patronized her, “Oh, honey, what’s the matter?” He scoffed, “I mean, really! You can at least tell me so I can help you out. But, no! Alexander Howe isn’t the right type of guy for you, is he?” He raised his voice. The waiter who had just arrived at the table with their food turned a little pink.
    “Alex, keep your voice down. People are looking at us,” said Angel, feeling the spectators’ funny looks on her.
    “I don’t care, Angel! I really don’t care.”
    “What do you mean you don’t care? Is this whole relationship just a joke for you?”
    “Now you’re talking like your parents. I hope you remember that I did publicly announce, almost in front of the entire population and on live television, that I want to get married to you. Wait...” Alex felt something click. “Is that what it is? You don’t want to get married, do you?”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “So then?” He dug his fork into the gooey cheese and shoved some into his mouth. “Eat your sandwich,” he eyed her plate, “It’s getting cold.”
    She took a fairly large bite out it, surprising him.
    “You know,” he said, “you really aren’t yourself today.”
    “Oh,” Angel muttered with her mouth full. “And what exactly is myself?”
    “I really don’t know anymore,” he sighed, “You know, even I had something to tell you. But I don’t know how to say it.”
    “So then we’re in the same predicament, aren’t we? What is all this, Alex? I mean I don’t know why we’ve been fighting so much.”
    “Me neither,” Alex said, sipping his iced tea. “Maybe your parents are right.”
    “No, they’re not.”
    “Okay, look.” He faced her eye-to-eye. “Just tell me what is it that you have to tell me.”
    “I’m pregnant.”
    For a second he thought he’d misheard. But then he saw how serious she was and realized she was speaking the truth. For a moment the world stopped. He should have been happy but his face didn’t show it. He had no idea what to do and felt the heavy burden of sacrifice. “Well,” he started slowly, forcing a smile, “this is wonderful!” His eyes welled up with tears and he held Angel’s hand in his. “I’m really happy, darling.”
    “It doesn’t look like it,” she said.
    “Are you kidding? This news is just what I needed. The last two days have really been something else but nothing compares to this.” He laughed and let go of his fears. Now his mind and heart floated in the happiness of this news.
    He took Angel into his arms and hugged her. Any sense of negativity vanished in that one embrace. He saw surprise in her face.
    “I haven’t seen you like this in a long time, Alex! And I...I like it!” She kissed him. After they finished their food, Alex left money for the bill and a large tip. They walked hand-in-hand together towards the Monolith. The waiter, who had served the two lovers for years, watched them walk away and smiled. He hadn’t seen the couple so happy together since the beginning of their relationship.
    “Angel, you really don’t know how happy you’ve made me today. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to understand you before. Now I know nothing can separate us.”
I’m going to be a father!
But what would Uncle John say? What about