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Laurens legs almost buckled; her relief was so big. "Thank you. "
Mrs. Mauk led her into the apartments living/dining room.
For a split second, Lauren felt her past and present collide. It looked so much like her old apartment; same Formica dining set, same shag carpeting. A rose floral sofa was flanked by two blue La-Z-Boy recliners. A small black-and-white television showed an old episode of I Dream of Jeannie.
Mrs. Mauk went into the kitchen.
Lauren sat down on the sofa and eased Johnny out of the pack. He immediately started to cry. She changed his little diaper and rewrapped him, but he wouldnt quit crying. His stuttering shrieks filled the tiny apartment.
"Please," Lauren whispered, rubbing his back and rocking him. "I know youre not hungry. "
It wasnt until Mrs. Mauk returned, holding two cups of tea and saying, "Are you okay?" that Lauren realized she was crying.
She wiped her eyes, tried to smile. "Im just tired, thats all. "
Mrs. Mauk set the mug on the coffee table and sat in one of the recliners. "He sure is tiny. "
"Hes only two days old. "
"And youre here, looking for your mommy or a place to stay. Oh, Lauren. " Mrs. Mauk gave her one of those poor girl looks she knew so well.
They stared at each other. Behind them, the sitcoms laugh track roared.
"What are you going to do?"
Lauren looked down at Johnny. "I dont know. I was all set to give him up for adoption, but . . . I couldnt do it. "
"I can see how much you love him," Mrs. Mauk said, her voice softening. "And the father?"
"I love him, too. Thats why Im here. "
"All alone. "
Lauren looked up. She felt her mouth tremble and tears fill her eyes. Again. "Im sorry. Its the hormones. I cry all the time. "
"Where have you been, Lauren?"
"What do you mean?"
"I remember the woman who came for you that day. I stood at my kitchen window and watched you get into her car and drive away, and I thought, Good for you, Lauren Ribido. "
"Angie Malone. " It hurt to say her name.
"I know Im just an old woman who sits at home all day talking to her cats and watching reruns, but it looked like she loved you. "
"I ruined that. "
"How?"
"I promised her the baby and then I ran in the middle of the night. Shell hate me now. "
"So you didnt talk to her about it? You just ran off?"
"I couldnt face her. "
Mrs. Mauk leaned back in her chair, studying Lauren through narrowed eyes. Finally, she said, "Close your eyes. "
"But--"
