"I'm pregnant," she said, the words coming out flat and emotionless because if she let any feeling in, she'd start crying and never stop.

Cletus went completely still, his eyes widening. "You're... pregnant?"

"Six weeks and two days, according to the ultrasound I had on Tuesday," Aryyah continued, forcing herself to maintain eye contact. "I took three home tests last week, and they were all positive, and then I saw a doctor to confirm."

"Six weeks," Cletus repeated, and she could see him ...