The acid in my stomach swished from side to side. “I have a lot on my plate, Mom.” I steeled my voice. “Kaylee and I wanted to see you before they moved you to the state jail. Do you need anything? I’m packing up the house and will talk to the landlord about breaking the lease.”
She kept silent as she continued to sweep her gaze over my face.
“Mom has that look that you two are about to fight,” Kaylee said.
I gave my sister a sidelong glance. “We’re not.” Then I took inventory of the people at other tables.
I could hear one lady arguing with a man.
Mom’s lips were mashed into a thin line, her attention never wavering from me. “You’re hiding something.”
“I have nothing to hide.” Liar. “Can we talk about you? When are they moving you to the state jail?”
The longer I sat here, the quicker she would figure it out. My mom couldn’t read a man’s intentions to save her life, but when it came to Kaylee and me, her perceptiveness got five gold stars.
“I know you’re not upset about me. And if it’s not your tuition payment, then did the football player break up with you?” She was going to keep probing until she found out.
“He didn’t,” Kaylee said then regarded me. “Or did you break up and lie to me?”
For the love of God. “No, Lucas and I are fine.” I couldn’t lie to my sister.
My mom angled her head. “Then unless you’re dying… Mazzie, I’m going to ask you this once.”
The air in my lungs dissipated. “Don’t.”
“Are you pregnant?” Mom hissed, her voice low enough only Kaylee and I could hear.
I jerked my head at my sister. This wasn’t how I wanted to break the news to her.
“You are?” Kaylee asked, her eyes wide as could be. “That’s why you’re sad. You’re trying to work it out?”
“I didn’t want you to find out like this,” I said to my sister, blinking one tear away then two.
“Jesus Christ, Mazzie.” Mom slumped back in her chair, her newfound lease on life evaporating. “After watching me struggle your entire life?”
I couldn’t argue with her. I’d told her many times that the only way I would ever get pregnant was if I was married.
Disappointment colored Mom’s face. “A football player, of all people? You’re smarter than this. What about medical school? Being a doctor? A future? Not diapers and day care while this guy chases his NFL dreams.”
“I didn’t plan this.” I kept my voice as low as I could. “My implant expired. I didn’t get the first notice they mailed me, which I could blame on you. You always got the mail.”
She wagged her forefinger. “No, you don’t. You’re not putting the blame on me.”
Our voices sounded loud in the visitors’ room, but others were absorbed in their own problems. Even if they weren’t, my mother was not about to ignore this.
“I didn’t get the first notice,” I continued. “I got the second one, but it was too late. And don’t you dare start in on me about protection.” I waved my hand between Kaylee and me. “We’re products of your poor decisions.” I wasn’t trying to be mean, but she didn’t have any right to judge me.
Kaylee scooted her chair closer to me and snaked her hand in mine, as if to say I got you.
I wanted to bawl my eyes out, but I refused to in front of my mother. I was stronger than her.
“I don’t want this for you.” Mom came closer but didn’t touch me—rules and all. “Look at me.”
My eyes filled with tears.
Kaylee squeezed my hand. “I’m happy for you, Maze. You and Lucas are going to be great parents. And I will be the best aunt.”
My steel armor cracked, and I couldn’t keep the tears at bay any longer.
