AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m trying.”
We hang up. I drive the last few miles to my last stop and think about what it’s going to be like when I get home. Obviously, Beckett will have to be in my life to some extent. He’s the father of my child. Like I’ve done with Declan for so many years, I’m hopeful that we can at least peacefully co-parent. I certainly want Andie and Glinda in Baby L’s life. I’m just so uncertain what’s in store for us.
I pull into the address I had researched at Dr. Pearl’s urging. The road is gravely and uneven. I look around. This trailer park is even shittier than the one I grew up in.
I knock on the door. The woman who answers makes my stomach turn. I suppose I look like her, though it’s clear life hasn’t been kind. She appears forty years older than me, even though she’s only seventeen years older. Her skin is leathery, and her teeth are decaying, likely from decades of drug abuse. This so easily could have been me if Jade didn’t save me.
She scowls. “I was wondering if you’d ever show up here. Hurry inside before anyone sees you.”
“Good to see you too,Mom.”
She scoffs. “Mom? I’m no mother.”
“I suppose we can agree on that.”
She opens the door wider and then quickly closes it when I’m inside. I walk in and nearly puke at what I see. It’s a disgusting, smelly mess. Expired food, dirty dishes, and soiled clothing are all over. There’s drug paraphernalia everywhere. I need to make this quick.
“Elphie, I just came by to meet you and to thank you for staying out of my life.”
She practically spits out, “Yeah, well, I wasn’t good for anyone. You’re very welcome.”
“I want to tell you that I’m nothing like you.”
She picks her tooth and then fiddles with whatever came out with her tongue. “Is that so? I happened to see something on the television about you being an addict. I guess the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree after all.”
“I haven’t touched drugs since the day I found out I was pregnant with my daughter twenty-four years ago. That’s what you do for your child. You do whatever it takes to make them safe and happy. Maybe my daughter didn’t have a picture-perfect childhood, but she never once doubted that she was loved. She never doubted that I would always be there for her in her times of need. IknowI was and am a good mother.”
“Listen, I don’t need this bullshit. Are you here with my monthly allowance or not? I’m not supposed to be around you. Tell Daddy Warbucks that I didn’t come to you. You came to me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your rich boyfriend.”
“What about him?”
“His henchman showed up here months ago, right after I gave that interview.”
“Henchman?”
“Some big, bald, scary guy in a black suit.” Nico. “He said if I promised to never speak of you or contact you, an envelope of cash would show up here each month. And it has. It’s the gift that keeps giving. Thank you for spreading your legs for a rich guy.”
What? Why would Beckett do that?
I don’t want to be here anymore. I make my way to the door. “I said what I came to say. Have a good life.”
After a stopat the gallery to drop my work off to an exceedingly happy Norma, I’m finally on my way home.
I pull down my street and notice a familiar black Suburban in front of my house. As I pull into my driveway, I see Beckett sitting on my front step in his blue suit pants, shirt, and tie. The sleeves are rolled up. I don’t need the vision of his forearms with my pregnancy hormones working on overdrive right now.
He stands as I pull in. I see tears welling in his eyes.
I walk to the back of my car to open the truck for my bags, but Nico is there. “I’ve got them. Go talk to him.”
“Thanks, Nico.”
He nods before whispering, “No need to beat him up. He’s already done it to himself.”
I give him a small smile before making my way to the front door. Beckett flashes me his crooked smile. He holds out flowers and chocolate-covered cherries. The flowers are kaleidoscope roses. I once mentioned how much I like them. He remembered.
