"Thanks for letting me come over," Ally said as the two sat down. "I know you're so busy, I just had no one else to turn to."
Scarlett leaned over and put a hand on Ally's knee with a look of real concern. It made Ally feel even more guilty, but not any less willing.
"What are friends for?" Scarlett said, "Production's winding down anyways. I only wish we could have spoke sooner, it's been so long."
"It has," Ally took a deep sigh. She would do the same thing Heather had done, just trick Scarlett into saying she'll accept whatever troubles she was having. Ally felt so stupid for falling for that now. Even then she thought Heather was phrasing things in a really weird, awkward manner.
"Scarlett, I have a problem."
"You're pregnant?" Scarlett asked. Ally was surprised, then realized that of course Scarlett could tell. Ally might be able to hide the so far subtle changes to her body from most people but her friend was somebody that was obsessed with her own figure, and so of course would notice that Ally was thicker in the middle than before.
"Oh, uh, no, it's not that. I have a, um, a burden . . ." Ally paused, feeling stupid in how she was saying this but not knowing any other way, "and I don't know who to turn to."
"Ally, you can talk to me about anything."
"I just need to unload this on somebody, you know?"
"Sure, I know, just let it all out. I'm here."
Ally got frustrated. She couldn't exactly ask Scarlett, "Hey, will you take this burden from me?" She'd sound like an idiot.
Scarlett saw her distress. "Hey, it's okay. Just tell me what's wrong. We'll figure it out together. Your problem is my problem."
Ally sat up straight as a unsettling, whirling feeling went through her stomach. Without thinking she gulped and grabbed her midsection. She felt it shrink down, felt the weight leave her, her jeans growing loose again, her body returning to its old self. The change was not nearly as dramatic as with Heather, though to Ally it was just as relieving. Apparently, Scarlett had stumbled onto a way to say "I accept your curse" as well as anything.
Scarlett looked confused by Ally's reaction.
"Ally, are you okay?"
"Oh, it's just, um, hearing you say that, really takes the weight off my shoulders," she said, smiling brightly. She understood why Heather was so gleefully pleased when she passed the curse onto Ally. Ally felt like she could just leave and be done with, she was so relieved. Even her friend's genuine concern for her seemed inconsequential.
Scarlett placed a hand over her stomach as it gurgled. Ally knew what she was feeling. Some queasiness, nothing big right now, but it would probably get worse soon. All Ally knew was that, at least nominally, this was Scarlett's problem now.
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