Free Redeeming by Gabrielle Demonico Page B

purse slung over her shoulder and her car keys in her hand.
    “Feeling better?” She asked.
    “A little, yeah…” Daniella began. “Are you leaving?”
    “Yes.” Tricia replied. “Get your things, you are coming with me.”
    “What?”
    “Come on, we’re going to settle this once and for all.”
    “No.” Daniella said as she placed her hands on her hips. “I’m not going to buy a test so just drop it.”
    “What’s the difference, Daniella?” Tricia said. “You think you aren’t pregnant, right?”
    “Yeah.” She said. “So what’s your point?”
    My point is that you should just confirm it.” Tricia replied. “Do it and I won’t bother you about it anymore.”
    “Oh my God…” Daniel la groaned as she looked towards the ceiling for a moment. “Seriously?”
    The expression on Tricia’s face told Daniella everything she needed to know. There was no way she would drop it. Tricia raised her right hand and pointed to an imaginary wristwatch.
    “Fifteen minutes to the drug store.” She said. “We’re in, out and back here. In less than a couple of hours, you’ll know.”
    Daniella shook her head in frustration. She hesitated for several seconds in the hopes a brilliant counter-argument might pop into her head. Nothing materialized. Drained and uninterested in debate, she at last relented.
    “Ugh, alright…” Daniella replied. “Let me grab my purse.”
    ***
    At almost fifteen minutes to the second, the women pulled into the parking lot of the drug store. They got out of the car and started to head inside.
    “Okay,” Tricia said. “While you are getting the test, I’m going to pick up a few things.”
    “Alright , but don’t take forever.” Daniella began. “I want to get this thing and get out of here as fast as I can.”
    “I won’t.” Tricia said with a reassuring smile. “I’ll meet you up front by the exit.”
    Daniella agreed and they entered the store. Tricia headed towards the household section while Daniella tracked down the nearest store employee. A middle-aged man in a red smock walked past her.
    “Excuse me, sir?” Daniella said. “Where can I find the pregnancy tests?”
    The man looked past her right shoulder and nodded. “Aisle eight, ma’am.”
    “Thanks.”
    “My pleasure. Do you need any assistance?”
    “No, I’ll be fine. Thank you though.”
    He smiled, nodded, and continued on his way.
    Daniella turned and headed towards the area he pointed out. As she rounded the corner of the aisle, she noticed a section of them at the far end. Once she neared, Daniella saw four shelves full of tests. Unfortunately, they locked them under a panel of plexiglass.
    “Damn… Seriously?” S he muttered as she tugged on a handle attached to the plastic doors. “Do people really steal these or something?”
    As she peered through the clear plastic to get a look, another employee passed by in her peripheral vision.
    “Hello?” Daniella whispered. “Can I get someone to help me with these pregnancy tests?”
    The woman nodded. “Yes, of course. One second.”
    She walked a few feet away from Daniella and picked up the receiver from a phone on the wall. The store intercom screeched to life.
    “Good evening shoppers…” the woman began. “Attention associates… Guest needs assistance in aisle eight. Pregnancy test key is required. Thank you.”
    Daniella lowered her head. “Oh man…” she muttered.
    The woman hung up the phone and with a pleasant smile on her face she said, “Someone will be right with you.”
    “Um, okay…” Daniella replied. “Thank you.”
    Even though only less than thirty seconds ticked by, it felt like forever. While she waited for someone to come and pry open the fortification around the tests, she clutched at her bag with a nervous, tense grip. She wanted to get this over with and the sooner, the better.
    “Daniella?” A voice said from behind her. It was familiar in a vague way but not one she recognized at first. That is,