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What had the lawyer said to her?
A baby needs one mother.
Angie sat down beside her. Together, they stared down the tangle of overgrown yard to the sandy beach below.
"What happens after?" Lauren asked, leaning forward. She was careful not to look at Angie. "Where will I go?" She heard the fissure in her voice; there was no way she could sound strong.
"Youll come back here. To the house. Then, when youre ready, youll leave. Con and I bought you an airplane ticket to school. And one to come home for Christmas. "
Home.
The word was a dart that pierced deep in her heart. This wouldnt be her home anymore, not once the baby was born.
All her life Lauren had felt alone. Now she knew better. Her mother had been there, and when Mom ran off, Angie stepped in. For these last few months Lauren had felt as if she finally belonged somewhere.
But soon shed know what truly being alone felt like.
"We dont have to follow someone elses rules, Lauren," Angie said. There was a tinny, desperate edge to her voice. "We can create whatever family we want. "
"My counselor doesnt think I should be here after the babys born. She thinks that would be too hard on all of us. "
"It wouldnt be too hard on me," Angie said slowly, drawing back slightly. "But you need to do whats best for you. "
"Yeah," Lauren said. "I guess Ill be looking out for myself from now on. "
"Well always be here for you. "
Lauren thought of the adoption plan theyd come up with--the letters and photographs and consent agreements. It was all designed to keep the two of them at arms length.
"Yeah," Lauren said, knowing it couldnt be true.
THIRTY-ONE
CONLAN, ANGIE, AND LAUREN SAT AT THE SCARRED, old dining table, playing cards. The music of Angies youth pounded through the speakers, forcing them to yell at one another. Right now, Madonna was trying to remember how virginity felt.
"You guys are in trouble now," Lauren said, taking the trick with the eight of diamonds. "Read em and weep. " She slapped down a ten of hearts.
Conlan glanced at Angie. "Can you stop her?"
Angie couldnt help grinning. "Nope. "
"Aw, shit," Conlan said.
Laurens laughter rang above the music. It sounded young and innocent, and at that, Angie felt a catch in her chest.
Lauren shot the moon, then got to her feet and did a little victory dance. It was slow and ponderous, given her stomach, but it made them all laugh.
"Gee. I think I should go to bed now," Lauren said with a wide-eyed innocence.
Conlan laughed. "No way, kiddo. You cant dump us with all those points and then just walk. "
Lauren was halfway across the room when the doorbell rang.
Before theyd even wondered who it was, the door opened.
Mama, Mira, and Livvy stood there. Each of them held a big cardboard box. They rushed into the cottage, already talking, and went straight to the kitchen, where they set down the boxes.
Angie didnt have to go over there to know what was in the boxes.
