38. Closure

5 days later
It’s the end of the week, which means Wesley needs an answer from me. And I think I finally made up my mind.

So I call him.
“Evi, hi.”
“Hi,”
“I hope you have some good news for me?”
“I can’t take the job.” I say immediately.

He doesn’t reply for a few seconds. “That’s.. unfortunate.”
“It’s just not the right time.” I explain myself.
“I understand.”

Silence follows, unsure of what I should say.

“Take care, Evi. And if you ever change your mind.. call me.”
“I will. Take care, Wesley.”

He hangs up the phone. And for a few seconds I just stare at the screen.
Even when we broke up months ago, this feels like some type of closure.

We never really had that. We just broke up and that was it.

I rub my back, then my belly. Both have been aching for a few days now.

I make a painful face and turn around. Maybe I need to lay down.

I took an hour long nap, and wake up even more uncomfortable than before. I ignore it and call Bill to distract myself.

He picks up after a few rings. “Tom, stop it! Tom, give it back!”

“Hi, stranger.”
“Hi, Tom.” I say with a smile on my face. “How’s everything going?”
“Guess who just finished the album?”

“Tom! Give my phone back!”

Tom laughs. "In a minute."

A quick series of footsteps echoes through the line.

"I was going to tell her that!”

"You'll survive."

There was a sharp jolt, as though the phone had been grabbed for and pulled away at the last second.

"Tom—"

Another laugh. "Oh, nice try."

A breathless grunt. "Stop moving."

"No."

The line fills with laughter, quick footsteps and overlapping voices until I can't tell who's saying what anymore.

Then Bill finally snaps. “Tom, enough!"

A brief pause.

Another grab.

Then Bill's voice comes through, slightly winded.

"Sorry about that."

“That’s okay.” I chuckle. “You guys finished the album?”
“Yeah, we finished the last song 30 minutes ago. I wanted to call you after I left the studio.”

“That’s great.” I say. “Does that mean you’ll come back?”
“I already bought the plane ticket.”
I smile. “I can’t wait to see you.”

“Just one more day. My plane leaves in a few hours.”
I sigh with relieve. “When does your plane land?”
“Tomorrow around 12 pm. So I’ll be with you around 3, I hope.”

“You sound tired.”

Of course he noticed.

“I am tired.”
“Is your back still hurting?”
“Yeah, and I also have these cramps since a few days.”
“You have cramps? Why didn’t you tell me? Did you tell your doctor?” He rambles.

“Bill, calm down. It’s probably very normal and I have an ultrasound in two days. I’ll tell my doctor during the appointment.”
“I am calm, just worried.”
“I know. But I promise, me and the baby are fine.”

“Okay,” he sighs. “but this is exactly why I don’t won’t you to work right now.”
“About that..” I start. “I actually just got off the phone with Wes.”
“Oh,” is all he says. “Uhm.. what did you tell him?” He asks carefully.

“I didn’t take the job.”
“You didn’t?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “It just didn’t feel right.”
He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds.
"Evi.. I know I told you not to take the job..." He exhales quietly. "But I don't want to be the reason you said no."

“You aren’t the reason.” I say. “Not the only reason anyway.”

“What are the other reasons?” Bill asks, his voice softening.
I lean my head back against the sofa cushions “It’s just… it doesn’t feel like the right time to get a job. And honestly? My body is telling me to slow down. I can barely get through the day without needing a nap. Taking this job offer is probably not the best idea.”

It stays quiet on the other side of the line.
“It’s a little scary tho. Not having a job. Not having.. you know, pay check at the end of every month.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.” He says immediately.
“I know.” I say softly.
“But Evi, about those cramps… are they getting any worse?”

“I’m not sure.” I admit.
“Evi.. are you sure you don’t have to see a doctor?”
“If it’s not better by tomorrow morning, I’ll call my gynaecologist.”
“Okay..” he sighs. And I can hear how worried he is. “I should leave to the airport soon.” Another sigh.

“Text me when you’re boarding, okay? And call me when you’re in a cap.”
“I will. I can’t wait to be with you again.”
“Me too.”

We end the phone call and another sharp pain shoots through my lower belly. This is probably the worst one so far.

I press call on my phone again. And my call gets answered almost instantly.
“Hi Evi, how—“
“Can you come over?” I interrupt her. “I think something is wrong..”