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Chapter twenty-three
Sidney
Mybirthdayfindsmeon Michelle’s couch going through the job ads. I have changed my job hunt focus to working from home if possible. It makes no sense to get a job now only to quit in a few months when I need to have the baby. Plus, I’ll have to spend time at home in those first few months. Working online and maybe even with flexible hours would be a good option right now. I feel encouraged in my search as I actually found an apartment two days ago. It is about ten minutes from Michelle’s and in a nice neighborhood. It is a little less than what I was paying, so that is a good thing. But it is a studio rather than a full-fledged apartment with walls separating rooms.
The second Michelle saw it her face lit up.
“This is you, Sidney.”
My smile had been a mile wide. “Yes! I feel it too!”
I’d paid the deposit on the spot and made arrangements to move in by this Friday.
I take a sip of my juice and circle yet another job possibility. I feel oddly optimistic for the coming year. It’s been just a few days, but already I cannot think of myself as an individual. I’m part of a pair.
I place my hand on my stomach. Next week is Christmas. Archer’s birthday is the twenty-third. At the thought of Archer, I wonder what he planned for our birthdays. And I banish the thought immediately. Thinking of Archer will do me no good right now. I take a deep breath and get off the couch.
I’m in the middle of doing the few dishes that are in the sink when Michelle comes in.
“Where’s the birthday girl?”
I turn and smile as I see her holding a cake.
“Michelle! I told you not to make a big deal out of my birthday.”
“Well, that was not your call to make. Now, let’s get this cake cut and some wishes made.”
She places the cake on the counter and I fish out a knife from the utensil drawer. Michelle sticks some candles and light them.
“Blow them out and make a wish.”
I close my eyes and scrunch up my face. Then I take a deep breath and blow the candles out. I also open my eyes and see Michelle across from me with her eyes closed. She is muttering to herself. Then she opens one eye and looks at me. She grins.
“Don’t mind me. I’m just making my own wish.”
I cut into the cake and begin sharing slices. “Oh yeah? What did you wish for?”
“I wished that you wouldn’t kill me.”
“Kill you?” I pick up a fork and dig into the succulent chocolate pastry. “Whatever for?”
“I did something you didn’t want me to do.”
I look up sharply and she looks away. I put down the fork.
“What did you do?” My heart is racing. I’m hoping that it’s not what I think it is.
“I called Archer.”
Shit.
“Please don’t be mad at me, Sid. I had to call him.”
“How could you, Michelle? I told you that I don’t want him to know!”
“I know! I know! And I don’t know why I picked up the phone and called him. I was going to hang up and then he answered. And-and I told him.”
“No!” I place my head in my hands. “Why!?”
