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"Theyre home. I told them we needed to talk. "
Mr. and Mrs. Haynes came into the room fast, as if theyd been waiting just around the corner.
Mrs. Haynes stared at Laurens rounded belly.
Mr. Haynes studiously avoided looking at her. He led them into the sunken living room, where everything was the color of heavy cream and nothing was out of place.
Unless, of course, you counted the pregnant girl.
"Well," Mr. Haynes said when theyd all sat down.
"How are you feeling?" Mrs. Haynes asked. Her voice sounded strained, and she seemed unable to meet Laurens gaze.
"Fat but great. My doctor says everything is perfect. "
"She got a full ride to USC," David said to his parents.
"Thats fabulous," Mrs. Haynes said. She glanced at her husband, who leaned forward in his seat.
Lauren reached for Davids hand, held it. She felt surprisingly calm. "Weve decided to give the baby up for adoption. "
"Thank God," Mr. Haynes said, sighing harshly. For the first time, Lauren noticed the tenseness in his jawline, the worry in his eyes. Relief changed his face. He finally smiled.
Mrs. Haynes moved to sit beside Lauren. "That couldnt have been an easy decision for you. "
Lauren was grateful for that. "It wasnt. "
Mrs. Haynes started to reach for her, then withdrew her hand at the last second. Lauren had the strange impression that Davids mother was afraid to touch her. "I think its for the best. You two are so young. Well call the lawyer and--"
"Weve already chosen the parents," Lauren said. "My . . . boss. Angie Malone. "
Mrs. Haynes nodded. Even though she was obviously relieved, she looked sad somehow. She bent forward, picked up her purse, and pulled it onto her lap. She pulled out a checkbook, wrote a check, and ripped it out, then stood up. She handed the check to Lauren.
It was for five thousand dollars.
Lauren looked up. "I cant take this. "
Mrs. Haynes gazed down at her. Lauren saw the wrinkles through her makeup for the first time. "Its for your college fund. Los Angeles is an expensive city. A scholarship wont handle everything. "
"But--"
"Let me do this," she said softly. "Youre a good girl, Lauren. On your way to becoming a good woman. "
Lauren swallowed hard, surprised by how moved she was by that simple compliment. "Thank you. "
Mrs. Haynes started to move away, then stopped and turned back. "Maybe you could give me a photograph of my--of the baby when hes born. "
It was the first time Lauren had thought of the baby as their grandchild. "Sure," she said.
Mrs. Haynes looked down at her. "Do you really think you can do this?"
"I have to. Its the right thing to do. "
After that, there was nothing left to say.
TWENTY-NINE
IT WAS ALMOST MIDNIGHT WHEN LAUREN GOT HOME. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it, letting out a ragged sigh. She couldnt wait to climb into bed and close her eyes. This day had left her wounded.
