Free A Life Unplanned by Rose Von Barnsley Page A

up, helping me down as well.
    "Are you okay to walk?" he asked.
    I just nodded and started waddling after them.
    Trent helped her up the steps of her home and then me as well. She walked us into a hallway with a broken light. I noticed a golf ball just a little ways down away from the broken glass. I had a feeling she had done this on purpose. I guess the tramps weren't kidding when they said it was a small town, and they all knew he wasn't getting around.
    "Come into the kitchen with me, dear. We don't want you getting cut on the glass."
    Trent pulled a stepladder out of a hall closet, which made me realize he most likely did this often.
    "So, how do you know our Trent? He's a nice boy, isn't he?"
    "Yes, he seems to be." I looked back down the hallway.
    "Are you a patient of his? I haven't seen you around before."
    "No, actually, I live in Waco."
    "Waco, bigger place than Livingston, probably lots of hoodlums. Didn't our Trent go to school up there?"
    "Yes, actually, we were in college together."
    "Oh, how nice, so you came down to visit with him?" I nodded yes and saw her chance a glance at my hand, looking for a ring. "Is there anyone missing you back in Waco?"
    "No, I don't think so." I shifted in the uncomfortable chair.
    "You know, Trent is a woman's doctor. I hear he's a very good one. You should have him see about your little one there," she pointed at my belly. "He's safe to have around your womanhood. There are rumors going around that he's a little fruity," she flopped her hand like a gay person might, and I snickered and looked down the hall, where Trent was sweeping up the glass. "You can't get a safer person than a fruity man looking down there," she nodded at me.
    "That's very true," I smirked. "I'm pretty sure he's not gay, though."
    She actually pouted a little. "That Vera better not be right. He's not going into the priesthood, is he?"
    "Why would you think that?"
    "Well, dear, he's been here for nearly three years and hasn't once taken a lady on a date. A man has needs you know," she nodded at me like it was a fact.
    I giggled a little. "Oh, I know all about his needs."
    She got a big grin on her face and leaned forward. "Do you now? He has been spending a lot of time up in Waco. We all just assumed it was to help out his brother with the new baby."
    "Yes, that's what he's been doing."
    She actually pouted. "He's a sweet man like that."
    I wondered if I should tell her about Katie. The tramps knew, and so did everyone at the hospital. Trent came walking in. "All done. What have you ladies been chatting about?"
    "Oh, I was just telling Ms. Thelma that you're not gay or going into the priesthood."
    He started coughing, shocked. "Uh, no, no, I'm not."
    "Yes, I know, I have proof." I patted my belly, and her whole face lit up.
    "Really?"
    Trent put his hand on my shoulder, and I saw him smiling widely. "Yes, actually, Clara is carrying my little girl." He smiled down at me. "We have a son as well."
    "Oh, my, you're not gay then?"
    "No, not gay," he said pulling me out of the chair. Then he did the cutest thing. He handed her the golf ball with a grin. "Tell Ms. Vera I said hi."
    She giggled and waved at him. "Can't pull a fast one on you."
    We weren't even all the way out the door yet, when I heard Thelma talking excitedly into the phone. "Vera, I have some great news on our Trent!"
    I giggled, as he helped me down the step. "So, you're her Trent?"
    He shrugged. "I'm pretty sure all the old ladies claim me as theirs. They all seem to have light bulbs that need changing and leaky faucets. I clean the occasional gutter as well, while they pry, looking for something on me. I'm just really boring. I guess they didn't realize that, until you told them I'm not gay or a priest." He grinned to himself. "I should've come up with something exciting, like I was a newt, because I had to take care of the queen of England's health."
    I started laughing, but slowed my steps when a contraction hit. They weren't uncommon when I