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“I’m sorry about that. I don’t want to put bad vibes on Cindy. I hope I didn’t do that.”
“You didn’t. Don’t worry about Cindy. But she told me Elizabeth told her and the boys about you getting pregnant with Stevie at the first meeting with Steve.”
“Oh my God,” Annie said, her hand flying to her mouth. “Why in the hell would she repeat that? To your wife and kids, of all people?”
“I don’t know, but evidently Cindy defended you, said she had a headache, and they left before dinner.”
Mortified, Annie heard what he said, but it didn’t fully register.
“I’m not sure what I need to do now, if anything.”
“What can you do? I explained my relationship with Val and she got upset that she stirred the pot. She probably owes us an apology.”
Annie stood there, not knowing her next move.
“Get dressed and I’ll make coffee.”
“Okay, although I feel like going back to bed now.”
She disappeared into the bathroom while Chris went to the kitchen. He was filling the pot when someone knocked on the outside door, hard. Going to the door and looking out the window, he saw Steve Casson, Annie’s ex, holding a screaming toddler who thrashed around in his father’s arms.
Grabbing a dish towel, Chris stuffed one end of it in the front of his underpants and opened the door. Steve looked at his massive chest and arms, and the towel that looked like a loin cloth, and smirked.
“Sorry, Annie’s in the shower.”
At the same time, Stevie saw Chris and held his arms out, yelling, “Chritopher.”
The child flew to his outstretched arms, immediately resting his head on Chris’s shoulders, his little body heaving, he was so upset.
At a loss, Steve just shook his head.
“Great. It’s clear he likes it better here. Sorry to disturb you but my kid has been screaming like this since last night. I hate to cut my weekend visitation short, but it can’t be good for him.”
“Look, I don’t want to get in the middle of anything, but don’t hesitate to call if you need a break.”
“If it happens again, I’ll remember that,” Steve said. “Thanks. Tell Annie I’m sorry.”
Chris let him have the last word and shut the door, patting the little guy’s back.
“Stevie, what’s wrong?”
“I want Mommy,” he said, gulping for air.
At the same time, Annie came into the kitchen, frowning.
“What’s going on?”
“Mommy!” Stevie cried, sobbing renewed.
“Steve said he’s been crying all night.”
Annie looked at the dish towel printed with a faded rooster, hiding Chris’s bulges. Covering her mouth, she laughed, pointing. “Is that how you answered the door?”
“It is. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, it’s fine, I’m sure Steve will have a new respect for you now.”
“I told him if this happens again to call,” Chris replied. “Poor guy looked like he hadn’t slept yet.”
