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"Okay, Syd," Luke said. "Just go in there and, well, you know, do what you have to do."

"Can't you come with me?" Sydney welded herself to his arm.

"No!"

She blinked quickly.

He shook his head. "Sorry, babe. I'm not going into a women's bathroom. You'll be okay. It'll be over before you know it."

Luke steered her toward the restroom. Sydney pushed the door open, walked inside, turned around and walked right back to Luke's arms.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's so dirty in there," she whispered against his chest. “And it smells funny.”

He smiled. "It'll be all right. Line the toilet and wash your hands after." He gave her another nudge. "Come on, let's get this over with."

Her head snapped up. "Get this over with?"

"Come on, Syd. I can't stand waiting any longer."

"But, but..." She gnawed on the inside of her cheek. "What if it's positive?"

"Negative or positive, I'll be here. We'll be together." He hugged her, then guided her back to the bathroom door.

Sydney somehow found the resolve to leave his side and enter the bathroom.

She lined the toilet seat with paper. Wasting no time, she ripped the cover off the test Luke had purchased a few minutes ago. She knew exactly what to do. They'd read the instructions four times. She peed on the white plastic strip.

Wrapping the test with the scratchy paper, she rested it on the counter. She pumped soap into her hands, washed, rinsed, then scrubbed again. She felt tainted and the gross bathroom was only partially to blame.

Sydney stared at the test. She didn't want to pick it up, this inanimate object that would determine her destiny. She pinched it, terrified of the piece of plastic wedged between her forefinger and thumb. Looking up, she glimpsed her dim reflection in the smudged mirror. The tears came then. She swiped and swallowed, but couldn’t clear her vision.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the foul restroom air. Her stomach churned. She gulped back the acrid taste, praying she wouldn't vomit.

Was this really happening? Had she actually urinated on a pregnancy test in the restroom of a truck stop?

The door swung in, she glimpsed dark, wavy hair.

"You okay, Syd?" Luke called.

"Couldn't be better."

"Sorry, that was a stupid question."

He edged out. The door closed. She was left alone once again.

What was she doing here? They told her parents they were traveling the thirty miles to the Flag's West truck stop because of the great cinnamon rolls in the restaurant. A lie. They both knew the truth. They were here for a $12.99 pregnancy test and the assurance that no one from home would see them.

How did this happen? How does a nice, shy girl like me get herself into a mess like this?

She studied the cheap test in her hand. Waiting was torture. One line or two? The difference changed her life. One line and she could beg the Lord for forgiveness, then proceed with her carefree life. Two lines. Wow. Two lines. A baby. Two lines and she rewrote her future.

The lines slowly become visible. The ticking of Sydney's heart paused for a two-count. Her vision blurred again.

"Luke?" she whispered.

No response.

"Luke?" she called a bit louder.

Still nothing.

"Luke!" she yelled, frantic now.

Had he deserted her when she needed him most?

"What?"

His head came in the bathroom. At the sight of her blanched face he disregarded the protocol against entering a women's restroom.

"What?" he asked again as he arrived at her side.

She couldn't find her tongue. She shoved the test at him. She wanted to throw it against the wall. He recoiled as if it could bite him.

"Take it," she begged.

Slowly, Luke extended his hand. His eyes wide with shock.

"Holy crap!" Luke said. "Holy crap! You're pregnant? Those two lines means yes. Right?"

Sydney nodded. She bit her lip to stop the quiver. Tears were coming. Luke tossed the test on the counter, wiping his hand on his pants.

"You're pregnant." He shook his head. "Wow. I can't believe it."

He actually had the nerve to look pleased.

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