Joan uprighted her posture and tried to walk to the door as non-chalantly as possible. She had no idea how she was going to explain to her teacher how she got 9 months pregnant in less than 3 minutes.
Mrs. Miller followed Joan out the door into the hallway and then quietly closed it behind her.
"Joan..." said Mrs. Miller, who quickly paused to collect her thoughts, "Would you please pull up your shirt so that I may see the pregnancy suit?"
"Um, may I ask why, Mrs. Miller?" asked Joan trying to 'play stupid' as to why she would ask her to do that. "I mean, it's pretty clear that I'm wearing it."
Joan motioned toward her mid-section to illustrate her point.
"Joan, I have given birth to three young boys and a little girl, please do not talk to me like I am some spring chicken. I know plenty about being pregnant and right now your body is screaming it." Mrs. Miller raised an accusing finger at Joan's stomach. "That is no pregnancy suit you are wearing and even if it was it wouldn't explain how you put on at least 8 pounds in your derriere
or how you're bustline has increased several sizes or especially how your mannerisms have changed. All of the other girls who wear the suit act like they are carrying around a sack of potatoes, you, on the other hand, take small, slow strides like you are carrying around your future child. So lets cut to the chase and let me see your stomach."
Joan hesitated and then slowly raised her shirt to reveal enough of her inflated belly to confirm Mrs. Millers' suspicions. The teacher delicately pressed her hand against it to confirm that it was warm flesh.
"Joan, how did you end up like this? You were perfectly normal less than 5 minutes ago," asked the puzzled teacher.
"Well...I.." Joan started not knowing what to tell her.
