CHAPTER FOUR

 

My co-workers keep giving me those sideways quizzical glances—you know, the ones where they don’t want you to know that they’re looking at you, wondering what’s going on with you, but they’re too afraid to ask in case they embarrass themselves?  Yeah, that’s the way they have been looking at me for the past two weeks.  The reason is because I haven’t told anyone at work, except Maria, that I’m pregnant, and at four months along, I’m at that stage where I kind of look pregnant, but more so like I’ve put on a bunch of weight in my mid-section.  No one wants to congratulate me on the pregnancy in case I’m just bloated or eating too much all of a sudden.  It is kind of amusing to see their minds ticking over by the expressions on their faces.  I think I will tell the colleagues I’m closest to within the next month, but right now I just don’t feel ready to announce it.  In the back of my mind, I think I’m still waiting to tell Dek before the people outside my closest family knows.

“Olive, Doctor Michaels is requesting you.”

“Thanks, Elizabeth.”  I finish sliding the final two patient files into their respective pigeon holes and make my way down to the diagnostic room where Doctor Michaels is.

The door is open, so I enter, immediately spotting Eligh Michaels reviewing the images on the computer system.

“Good afternoon, Eligh.  Elizabeth said you wanted to see me?”

He looks up and smiles.  “Hello, Olive.  Yes, I wanted to let you know I’ve scheduled an emergency appointment for a client with you this afternoon.  She had a previous scan four weeks ago and the ultrasound results, combined with her blood tests, showed some abnormalities with her foetus.  Since you’re our best technician, I’d like you to complete the secondary scan today.”

“That’s fine.  What time is she coming in?”

“Four p.m.  You have a client scheduled, but I’d appreciate it if you could pass that client onto someone else.”

“No problem. I’ll check who is available.”

“I appreciate that, Olive.”

“Is that all?”

He nods swiftly, turning his attention back to his screen.  I leave the room and busy myself finding a technician who will be available, before continuing on with my client list for the day.

The afternoon hours fly by quickly, and before I know it, I’m waving off my last client for the day.  My feet are aching and my eyes are tired, but I’m also pumped to go with Aubree to the Devil’s Dust clubhouse.  I hope she can get at least get somewhere. Lord knows I haven’t been able to gain any information.  If I weren’t pregnant, I’d be starting to believe the entire night, especially parts that involved Dek, were a dream.  But I know he existed because I’m pregnant with his child.  I never imagined finding a person would be so damn difficult.

“Ready?” Aubree asks, turning the ignition key to the off position.

“As I’ll ever be.”  We climb out and walk toward the young kid standing by the bikes.  He looks bored, but hearing our footfalls on the gravel, his eyes find us and he straightens.  Suspicion and awareness overtake his boyish features.

“You lost?” he asks gruffly.

“We’re here to see Tokka. Let him know Aubree’s here.”

His eyes narrow as he scans our faces before trailing down our bodies to our feet and back up again.  Without even touching me, he has left me feeling slimy. I resist the urge to shudder and wait for him to reply.  He doesn’t.  Reply, that is.  Instead, still giving us a shifty look, he tugs a mobile phone from his jean pocket, punches in some numbers, and brings it to his ear.

“Girl named Aubree’s here.  Said she wants to see ya.  Gotcha.”  He tucks the phone back in his pocket before addressing us.  “Go on in.”

“Thank you,” Aubree replies, a note of unmissable sarcasm in her tone.

The clubhouse looks a whole lot different this time around.  It’s actually quiet.  And normal-looking.  Somewhat tidy, too.  Tokka greets us, giving Aubree a big hug and me a friendly smile.  After they spend a minute catching up, Aubree launches right in, not wasting a second.

“There was a biker named Dek at the trailer trash party and we need to get in contact with him.  Any idea where he is?”

“Don’t know no Dek, girlie,” he replies almost instantly.

“Sure you do.  He’s one of your guys.”  Aubree looks to me.

“He’s really tall, dark eyes, dark hair… wears a lot of black.  I think I remember him saying he was a nomad for the Devil’s Dust.”

Tokka shakes his head.  “Sorry you girls had to waste your arvo, but I can’t help you.  Don’t know anyone named Dek, and your description could be any one of hundreds of guys.  None of ‘em named Dek.”

“Are you sure?” My voice is pleading.

“My advice, move on, forget him.  I’m guessing he gave you a good time and you want more.  It ain’t gonna happen, so enjoy the memories you made with him and try to find that spark with someone else.”

“It’s not like that,” I respond quietly.

Dejected, Aubree and I drive back into town.  She pulls up in front of my apartment and gives me a sad smile.

“Sorry, Ol.”

“It’s okay.” I sigh.  “I’ll find a way to find him eventually.”

“If you need any help, you know I’m here.  You want me to come in for a bit?”

I shake my head.  “No, I’ll be fine.  I think I’m going to make a date with my tub.”

Aubree grins.  “Sounds like bliss.  Talk to you tomorrow.”  She gives me a side hug in the car and then I climb out and go inside.

Being met with constant brick walls is frustrating.  I don’t expect anything from Dek; I’m financially stable and I can provide for this baby myself.  However, I would like to give him the opportunity to step up and be in his child’s life.  He deserves to know, and I would prefer to tell him before everyone else in my life finds out.  The only problem is, as fast as I’m running out of ways to locate him, my stomach is growing just as quick.