AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Jackson…” I turn to him and see him already staring at me. “I don’t want to fight. I don’t want this to be a bad thing.”
“How is giving my baby up for adoption agoodthing?”
I throw my hands up in the air. “It’s not, but I need you right now. This is already hard, why make it harder?”
He sits and stares at me, then says, “Okay.”
“Okay? What does that mean,okay.”
He looks out the window for a moment before glancing back over to me. “Okay means that I won’t try to make this anymore difficult for you. I won’t cause any problems for you, or this family.”
“So… we’re okay?”
He sneers, “Absolutely not.” Then shuts of the truck, hopping out and leaving me all alone.
I sniffle, trying to ignore the burning in my nose and throat. The tears that want to escape and how I have anymore is completely unknown to me. I feel like all I do is cry nowadays and I don’t know how to stop. Part of me feels like I’m doing the right thing and the other part of me feels so conflicted.
All I can hope is that one day Jackson realizes that this is for the best.
Hopping out, I follow Jackson to the front door. Before I can even ring the bell, the door swings open and there stands a younger couple with bright, hopeful looks on their faces. It both reassures me and makes me feel extremely guilty.
Because a part of me doesn’t want this.
They look down at my stomach and their eyes grow wide with delight. They grab onto each other’s hands and look up at me with so much happiness on their faces it throws me through a loop.
“You must be Cara. My name is Amanda.” Mrs. Simmons says, opening her arms for a hug. I stiffen but step forward. She wraps her arms around me as I keep mine to my side, stiff as a rail. Flowers and cookies waft into my nose.
I think she’s too overwhelmed to notice my discomfort, because when she steps back all she does is wipe a tear from her cheek.
Her dark blonde hair is tied into a loose pony at the back of her head. The white and red floral dress she’s wearing ends just above the knee. As I look at this woman in front of me, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone more perfect than Amanda. Rose would seriously approve of her.
“I’m so happy you made it. Was your drive okay?” She touches my arm as she smiles down at me. It’s like she’s making sure I’m real. That I’m standing here and not just a figment of her imagination.
“It was fine.”
“Hi, Cara. Nice to meet you. I’m Colton.” Mr. Simmons steps forward in blue jeans and a collared shirt. His short brown hair is swept to the side, and the glasses on his face match the professor vibe completely. I bet his students at his school fawn over him every day.
“Hi.” I smile, thankful that he just shakes my hand. I don’t think I could go in for another hug.
“And I’m sorry, my name is Amanda. What’s your name?” Amanda turns towards Jackson with her hand out, and he stares at it like it’s a rotting fish at the edge of the shore.
Silence hangs in the air much like Amanda’s hand does. It awkward and tense until Jackson grabs Amanda’s hand.
“Jackson. Thefather.”
Amanda’s eyes flare and Colton shifts from foot to foot with unease. The atmosphere on this front step of the Simmons’ cookie cutter house turns ominous with just the wordfather.
They know. They one hundred percent know that Jackson is not on board with the adoption. It’s in the tone of his voice and the look on his face. It’s in the way his body is tense.
I just hope he sticks to his word and doesn’t ruin this.
“Oh. Oh! Okay, I didn’t realize you were in the picture. It was never mentioned…” Amanda trails off, wringing her hands together and looking up at Colton for help.
He looks down at her like he has no idea what to do. Clearing his throat, he looks back at the both of us. “Well, we’re certainly glad you’re here! Come on in, let’s have a chat and get to know each other a little bit, yeah?”
“Uh, sure.” I give them a stiff smile and follow them inside. I can hear Jackson sigh behind me and can feel his angry presence follow me inside.
Upon entering, a genuine smile breaks free when I see the warm touches everywhere. Even without children currently, their house is meant to feel like a home, and it does just that. I don’t think I’ve ever stepped into a place that has felt this much love in every room. Pictures of family members and vases full of flowers litter the walls. They even have one of those stupid signs that have motivational words in the entryway. The windows are open, letting the fall breeze inside.
