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“Ed and I care about one another,” I manage in an enviably steady voice. “We dated like any other couple, albeit in secret, and the gap in our ages is our issue to deal with, and no one else’s. In fact, I don’t think it’s an issue at all, but that’s just my opinion.”
Doug Roundtree stares at me.
“Thank you, Miss Talbot. Anything else?”
I take a deep breath, getting ready to drop my bomb.
“Well, actually yes. I wanted to let you know that I’m dropping out of Cedar Toms High School, effective immediately, and will complete my high school education through a GED program instead. As a result, the school board no longer has jurisdiction over me, and does not need to address this issue anymore. Needless to say, Ed will never set foot in the high school again. All that we ask is for you to allow Corey Sterling to graduate. He had no knowledge of my relationship with his father, and we would appreciate it if you granted a graduating senior this courtesy.”
The townspeople burst into loud murmurs.
“Is she for real? A GED?”
“That man has her brainwashed,” one woman whispers. “She’s too young to know the difference between right and wrong.”
But then Ed gets up and wraps an arm around my shoulder before taking the microphone himself.
“This is the woman I love,” he proclaims in a low voice. “Maggie has never made me more proud than this day by getting up and saying her piece in front of all of you. That takes courage, and I thank the Lord above for giving me such a brave and courageous woman to carry my child.”
The crowd gasps, but Ed and I are done. He takes my hand and we leave the gymnasium as the crowd buzzes in our wake. But I don’t care. When I step outside, a heavy weight lifts from my shoulders as I stare at the handsome man next to me.
“Thanks for saying all that,” I manage in a choked voice. “It meant a lot to me.”
Ed leans in and pulls me close for a kiss before escorting me to his car.
“It’s all true, Maggie. I love you, I adore you, and I will never let those people hurt you.”
With that, I’m ensconced in the passenger seat as Ed pulls the strap carefully over my belly. Then he gives me another kiss and looks into my eyes.
“Always, Maggie. You belong to me.”
I smile with tears in my eyes and nod because it’s true. Ed Sterling is my future, and I can no longer deny what’s patently obvious: we belong together, come hell or high water.
12
Ed
We zip off in the car, but then Maggie turns to me.
"I can’t go home,” she says in an unsteady voice. “Not after what happened, and I don’t want to stay at your house because of Corey, so I need to find a new place.”
I nod, frowning.
"Of course, honey. We’ll look at apartments first thing tomorrow because I agree, you shouldn’t stay with your parents. How about your sister’s place? Can you crash there for a few days while we find an apartment for you? Or I can put you up in a hotel. You know I have plenty of money, so that’s not a problem, but maybe having Primrose close by will be a comfort.”
Maggie nods.
“Yes, I’ll ask Prim,” she says while pulling out her phone. “Let me text her right now.”
Within seconds, she looks up.
“Prim says yes, and she says Huxley will be happy to have his aunt around. So let’s go to Manhattan,” she says in a tone of relief.
I nod.
"Yeah, let’s make this happen. But before we head to Prim’s place, what about your stuff? Do you need to pick up some things from your parents’ house?”
Maggie chews her lip. “Yes, and maybe we should do it now because they’re probably still at the assembly.”
"Ok," I say. “Let’s swing by now, and just grab a couple items, honey. No need to move the world at this very moment. Meanwhile, I’m going to make a list of things you’ll need in the apartment, like towels, pots and pans, and furniture. We’ll set you up real nice.”
Maggie smiles but then sighs a bit dejectedly. "I appreciate it but this is happening so fast. Do you think we’ll have a furnished apartment to live in three days from now?"
My expression is determined.
"No, but we’ll have the essentials at least, like a bed to sleep in. The stuff we need to shower. Things we use to cook meals. Dishes to put the meals on."
She smiles.
"Okay, but what about Corey?”
“What about him?” I ask.
She takes a deep breath.
“Well, are you planning to live with him at your house, or with me at the new apartment? Either way is fine,” she says quickly. “I’m just wondering how much to buy.”
