"I know. I know it will be." Her face was buried into the hollow of his neck.

"It is now," Mooney said.

She nodded again. "I know. Just… just thank you." She stepped back, a little away, and looked up at him. "I didn't mean to get this way."

"The way you are is fine. I'm just glad you found the courage to tell somebody. Holding that inside can be so hard."

"I figured I could trust you."

"You figured right."

"I know, but… what was that?"

Mooney crossed to the window, looked out to the street. "Nobody. Nothing."

Laura sighed, a deep exhalation. "I didn't think Andrew could be back already. I don't know if I'm ready to face him. He'll be upset if he finds out I told you first. I mean, it's his baby, too. Maybe I can just say I started crying right after he left and you asked what was wrong…"

"Which is exactly what happened."

She nodded. "I know. But Andrew's been a little funny about you and me."

"You and me? What about you and me?"

"Our relationship. Yours and mine. We actually broke up about it once."

Mooney had to suppress a laugh. "About what, exactly?"

"He thought I had a crush on you. I did, in fact."

"You had a crush on me?"

"When we started the play, yeah, rehearsing here. A little. He was just so jealous, and then I got so mad when he accused me."

"Of what?"

"You know. Having a thing with you."

Now Mooney did allow a small chuckle. "Well, by now I hope he knows that didn't happen. And besides, this is about you. It's your body. You get to decide what to do." A pause. "And you know, it might not be the worst idea in the world to talk to your parents."

"No way," she said, shaking her head. "They'd kill me. They wouldn't want to be bothered. Trust me, this I know." Her eyes began to well up again.