Haunted Tales by Terri Reid

she admitted. “But when I think about what I can do, like
dashing up stairs, I forget that I’m carrying a little person along with me and
that’s going to slow me down.   And, I
forget that I’m risking for two, not just one. I scared Bradley to death.”
    He stared at her for a long moment. “Do you think that
Bradley’s reaction would have been any less…” he searched for a word and then
smiled at her, “volatile, if you had not been pregnant?”
    “Well…” she began.
    “You do!” he interrupted. “You think that he was scared to
death for you because you’re pregnant.”
    “Well I am a trained law
enforcement professional,” she argued.
    “Who Bradley adores,” he returned softly. “And
who he worries about constantly.”
    She sat up in the couch. “What? He worries?”
    Mike rolled his eyes. “Not just about your work,” he said. “Although he does worry about that. But he worries that
you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re not eating properly, you’re not getting
enough down time, you’re not laughing as much as you used to or several dozen
more things that flash through his mind throughout the day.”
    “Why?” Mary asked.
    “Because he feels that when you agreed to marry him, you
didn’t agree to the package deal,” he replied. “Suddenly you’re not just
married, you’re a mom and you’re going through your first pregnancy while you
are taking on the responsibilities that a young wife shouldn’t have to take on.
You didn’t really get a honeymoon stage; you just got blasted with the cold
reality of life.”
    “But I like the cold reality of life,” she argued and then
she shook her head. “I mean, it’s not a cold reality. I love my life.”
    “Do you?” Mike asked. “Do you really love it? And don’t just
answer ‘yes’ because it’s the proper thing to do.   It’s just you and me, kid. Do you really love
your life?”
    Mary picked up her cup again, took a sip and thought about
her answer. She thought about restless nights, padding back and forth to the
bathroom instead of sleeping, aching body parts, upset stomachs and stretch
marks.   She thought about dirty dishes,
dusty shelves and unfolded laundry.   She
thought about saving money, minivans instead of Roadsters, and flats instead of
heels.
    She took another sip of tea and then the little person
inside of her moved. That was all it took for her to know her answer. Looking
up at Mike, tears shining in her eyes, she smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I really
love my life.”
    “I thought so,” he replied. “But sometimes it’s a good idea
to do inventory and make sure.”
    She wiped away one stray tear and nodded. “So, how can I
make sure Bradley knows I love this life?”
    “Get enough sleep, eat properly, allow yourself some down
time and laugh, a lot,” he replied.
    She grinned. “Does dark chocolate ice cream count as eating
properly?” she asked.
    He nodded. “Hey, it’s dairy ,
right?”
    “Right,” she replied. “Thank you, Mike. You’re the best
friend I ever had.”
    He smiled at her. “Same here, kid,” he replied as he slowly
faded away. “Same here.”
    She placed her cup on the kitchen counter and walked
upstairs to her bedroom.   Standing next
to the bed, she studied Bradley for a few moments. Even in sleep, his face
seemed tense tonight and she knew she was the cause.   She tried to climb into bed carefully, so as not
to wake him, but failed miserably.
    “Mary?” Bradley asked , his voice
laced with sleep. “Are you okay?”
    “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m just coming back to bed. Go to
sleep.”
    “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again. This time his
voice sounded more awake.
    She leaned over and kissed him. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just tired. Goodnight.”
    He lay quietly on the bed, feigning sleep, and waited for
several minutes until he heard the soft, rhythmic sound of her breathing as she
slept. Cautiously slipping out of the bed, he unknowingly