But today neither laughed at the shtick on television. God, it couldn't be them, could it? That just doesn't make sense. "Um, guys, it's time. I need to scan you."
Robyn looked at Norm, and he nodded. "Before you begin, there's something we want to tell you."
My skin turned cold and clammy. This was it. Were they about to tell me what happened to my daughter? Oh God. I clutched the list of names in my hand so hard it tore.
Robyn burst into tears. "We're pregnant!"
My shoulders slumped and my body released all the tension it had been carrying. Relief and disappointment battled for control of my heart. On the one hand, I was glad my friends hadn't betrayed me. On the other, if they'd known something, I might be closer to getting my daughter back. Damnit! I'm getting nowhere.
Robyn bit her lip and had a hard time looking me in the eye. Of course, she'd just revealed something huge.
"Wow." I hesitated. "Sorry, it's just a lot to take in. How long have you known?"
Norm took Robyn's hand. "About a week. We didn't plan it. We were careful and everything. It just—"
Happened. Oh, the irony. I'd never even had sex and gotten pregnant. Rent-A-Kid students had gotten knocked up before, but then they'd disappeared. We were told they'd withdrawn from the program for their own safety and the safety of their babies. I now suspected Rent-A-Kid just considered them breeding bonuses.
"What are you going to do?"
"We don't know yet," Norm said. "You're the first person we've told."
Which explained the serious case of nerves they'd sported all day. They knew I'd find out when I probed their minds. "You might want to tell Father Patrick. He could help you figure things out."
Norm nodded, but Robyn continued biting her lip, even as she spoke. "I'm just so scared. What are people going to think?"
Didn't that very question worry me, but for different reasons? "Honestly, people are going to think whatever they think. You can't control it. Just do what's best for you guys, and the baby."
"I'm sorry," Robyn said. "I should have told you earlier. I hated acting all secret-ish around you."
I patted her hand. "Don't be. I understand. It's a difficult thing."
Norm nodded. "Yeah, I'm not even sure if I can be a father."
Becoming a parent had also scared me. Still did, but the bond I felt with my daughter trumped any of those insecurities. "If you decide to have this baby and raise it, your love for him or her will take over. It's not easy and I'm certainly no expert, obviously." Since I lost my baby shortly after giving birth. "But the parenting instinct does kick in. The rest you learn as you go, from trial and error, from those who know more than you, from books."
They settled back into the couch, their tension dissipating. Norm smiled. "I think we're ready for the scan now."
The scan revealed the same gaps as everyone else, and nothing relevant to finding Ana.
I stood to leave. "You can always talk to me, guys. I'm here for you."
***
The last name on my list was the person I wanted to scan least: Darren. He obviously hadn't taken the baby because he was with me when she disappeared, but he might know something, and no one else remained.
After asking around, I found him sitting on the porch, watching the rain and using his telekinetic powers to float a handful of leaves around in the air.
He scooted over to give me room to sit with him. "I didn't think you'd scan me, since we were together when it happened."
"I know, but I can't leave any stone unturned. Are you mad?"
He shrugged but didn't look at me. "Maybe I should be offended. After all, how could I have had anything to do with this? But, nah, I'm not. I get it."
Unbidden, his thoughts started flowing into me. Snippets of memories, bits of conversation, an idea he'd been contemplating.
"You should do it," I said.
"Do what?"
"Sorry, I heard what you were thinking about. You should start the club. People need to share their feelings and talk about what's going on, and you can make it a bully-free zone for anyone who wants to be there. It's a great idea. How come you haven't told anyone about it?"
"I just wasn't sure if it mattered, really. I'm not going to run the club, though. I don't want to be in charge of people."
His fear of leadership would be his downfall. Darren had a lot to offer, but he needed to speak up more. "I can relate to that. I'm the same way, but sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zones to really make a difference. You could be a great leader if you let yourself."
"Hmm... maybe." He didn't look convinced.
"It's true. You have good ideas, Darren. Don't be afraid to speak your mind. If you don't, who else will? I bet Greg and Gary would really love your club, and others would as well. Everyone feels disconnected and lonely, but something like this club could bring people together in a powerful way."