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Lauren followed her out to the back deck. They sat side by side on a wooden bench, both of them resting their feet on the deck railing. Angie tucked the blanket around their bodies.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
The gentleness of the question was Laurens undoing. Her resolve faded, leaving behind a pale gray desperation. She looked at Angie. "You know about love, right?"
"I was in love with Conlan for a long time, and my folks were married for almost fifty years. So, yeah, I know something about love. "
"But youre divorced. So you know it ends, too. "
"Yes. It can end. It can also build a family and last forever. "
Lauren knew nothing about the kind of love that stayed firm in shaky years. She did know how David would react to news of their baby, though. His smile would vanish. He would try to say it didnt matter, that he loved Lauren and that theyd be okay, but neither one of them would believe it.
"Did you love your husband?" Lauren asked.
"Yes. "
Lauren wished she hadnt asked the question; that was how hurt Angie looked right now. But she couldnt stop herself. "So he stopped loving you?"
"Oh, Lauren. " Angie sighed. "The answers arent always so clear when it comes to things like that. Love can get us through the hardest times. It can also be our hardest times. " She looked down at her bare left hand. "I think he loved me for a long time. "
"But your marriage didnt last. "
"We had big issues, Lauren. "
"Your daughter. "
Angie looked up, obviously surprised. Then she smiled sadly. "Not many people dare to bring her up. "
"Im sorry--"
"Dont be. I like talking about her sometimes. Anyway, when she died, it was the beginning of the end for Con and me. But lets talk about you. Have you and David broken up?"
"No. "
"So it must be college-related. You want to talk about it?"
College.
For a second she didnt understand the question. College seemed distant now, not like real life at all.
Not like a girl who was pregnant.
Or a woman who would have given anything for a child.
She looked at Angie, wanting to ask for help so badly the words tasted bitter. But she couldnt do it, couldnt bring this problem to Angie.
"Maybe its more serious than that," Angie said slowly.
Lauren threw back the blanket and got to her feet. Walking toward the railing, she stared out at th
e dark backyard.
Angie came up behind her, touched her shoulder. "Is there some way I can help you?"
Lauren closed her eyes. It felt good to have someone offer.
But there was no way anyone could help. She knew that. It was up to her to take care of it.
