Boyfriend: A Narrative Fiction

Brian remained surprisingly calm throughout her phone call.
"The child is yours," she said. "I'm sure of it. Which means you're going to be a dad soon, because I'm having this baby, Brian."
"I know the child is mine," he said. "And I intend to take care of it. Any help you need, I'm here for you. What are you going to tell Drew?"
"I'm not sure it's his business anymore."
"He's still your husband. He has rights. And I will respect that, Ariel. I don't have any expectations from you in that regard."
"Brian, I'm going to divorce him. I was planning to even before I found out. I'm not the kind of person who sleeps around. Not that I'm judging, I'm just saying I don't believe in that kind of thing. Which I know sounds rich coming from me."
"Me either,"
The truth began to sink in when she read the wedding announcement, tastefully compiled , announcing that they would be taking the bride's surname, her maiden name, becoming Mr. & Mrs. Brian and Ariel Thorne. That's right. Her wedding might be taking place in a quiet, undisclosed location with only a handful of close friends, but there was no avoiding the truth. She was now the start of a whole new matriarchy: the Thornes.
On her way back from yet another wedding planning meeting, the one where she got to see the announcement for the first time, she happened to pass a park where two girls were playing on the swings, giggling as they pushed each other to go higher. Another memory came to her, a dim one.
"We'll be friends forever," Donna had said. "Promise."
"Friends forever," Ariel had said then, and she whispered the same words now. "Friends forever. Thank you for giving me your brother, Donna. Thanks for giving me everything." Standing in front of the swings, a single tear dripped down her face. "Wherever you are, I know you can hear me. I promise to take care of your brother and to live our happily ever after, for the both of