The Secret

Something was different about Brooke.

Larry had noticed it first.

For the past few days, Brooke had been quiet, nervous, and constantly checking her phone. Whenever Larry or Bethany asked where she was going, she suddenly had an excuse.

Larry: “Where are you going?”

Brooke: “Out for a little while.”

Larry: “Where?”

Brooke: “Larry, I don’t know. I just need some air.”

Bethany: “You’ve been saying that a lot lately. Is everything okay?”

Brooke: “Yes. Everything is fine.”

Larry Takes the Keys

Larry stood up and looked directly at Brooke.

Larry: “Then why do you look so nervous?”

Brooke: “I don’t.”

Larry: “You do.”

Brooke reached for the door.

Larry: “Give me your keys.”

Brooke: “Why?”

Larry: “Because you’re not going anywhere right now.”

Brooke: “You can’t tell me where I can go.”

Larry: “I can when I’m worried about you.”

Brooke: “I’m an adult, Larry!”

Larry: “I know. That’s why I’m asking you to tell me what’s going on.”

Brooke finally handed him the keys.

“You’re staying home until Monday.”

Brooke: “Monday? Why Monday?”

Larry: “Maybe by then you’ll be ready to tell us the truth.”

Bethany Sees Brooke

The next afternoon, Brooke stayed mostly in her room.

Then Bethany heard a strange sound from the bathroom.

Bethany: “Brooke?”

There was no answer.

Bethany stopped outside the bathroom door. Then she heard Brooke getting sick.

Bethany slowly looked through the open doorway. Brooke was bent over the sink, looking pale and exhausted.

Bethany froze.

She quietly stepped away, but her mind was racing.

Brooke had been nervous. She had been hiding something. And now she was suddenly sick.

Bethany Tells Larry

Bethany walked downstairs and found Larry.

Bethany: “Larry, I need to tell you something.”

Larry: “What happened?”

Bethany: “I just saw Brooke in the bathroom.”

Larry: “Is she okay?”

Bethany: “She was throwing up.”

Larry immediately stood up.

Larry: “What?”

Bethany: “She looked really sick. But Larry, I have a feeling this isn’t just a stomach problem.”

Larry: “You think she’s pregnant?”

Bethany: “I don’t know. I’m not saying she is. But why else would she be acting like this and hiding so much?”

Larry became quiet.

Larry: “That’s why Monday matters.”

Brooke Knows They Suspect Her

Upstairs, Brooke had heard enough of their conversation.

Brooke: “They think I’m pregnant.”

Her phone buzzed.

“Don’t tell them anything until Monday.”

Brooke stared at the message.

Brooke: “Why are they telling me to wait?”

A knock came at the door.

Bethany: “Brooke? Can I come in?”

Brooke: “I’m tired.”

Bethany: “I’m not here to judge you. I just want you to tell me if something is wrong.”

Brooke: “What if I can’t tell you?”

Bethany: “Then tell me why you can’t.”

Brooke: “Because once I tell you, everything changes.”

Bethany stared at her.

Bethany: “What does that mean?”

Brooke didn’t answer.

One Message Changes Everything

That night, Larry put Brooke’s car keys on the kitchen counter.

Larry: “Monday morning, we sit down together.”

Bethany: “What if she still refuses to talk?”

Larry: “Then we’ll have to figure out why she’s so scared.”

Suddenly, Brooke’s phone buzzed on the table.

The message appeared on the screen:

“Whatever happens, don’t tell them before Monday.”

Larry looked at Bethany.

Larry: “I think we were right.”

Bethany: “So someone knows what she’s hiding.”