ETHAN
I knewsomething was wrong as soon as Gabby practically tore the front door off its hinges and threw herself at me before I was inside. I held her tight as I tried to look behind her into the interior to see if Belle was there. I thought probably not, what with the way Gabby was clinging to me as she rubbed her tear-stained face back and forth across my shirt.
When she realized that she was wetting the fabric with her tears and probably snot, she pulled away. “Sorry. Fuck, I haven’t even let you inside yet.” She stepped aside for me to enter, then closed the door behind us.
Their home was a small bungalow so after only a few steps, Gabby was at a settee in the intimate living room. She plopped down and plucked a tissue from the cardboard box. She must’ve been crying for a while because the coffee table was strewn with wet wads of discarded tissues.
I sat next to her and waited until she was ready to talk.
After she wiped her eyes and blew her nose, she said, “Belle’s not here. We had a huge fight and she left.”
I rubbed her arm and asked gently, “Left to where, Gabby?”
Gabby shrugged amid another onslaught of crying. “She went to her sister’s place.”
I got up and went to the kitchen for a bottle of water and then settled close to her. Twisting the cap off, I held the bottle out. “Drink, Gabby. You’ll be dehydrated.”
After she gulped down half, I asked, “Do you want a shot of something to ease your nerves?”
“Yes, please, and get one for your yourself, too.” Alcohol must’ve made her remember the scene we were supposed to have, since drinking was off-limits before and after. “Sorry again, Ethan. I could never do a scene now.”
“I wouldn’t let you, Gabby,” I said, rising up and heading into the kitchen again. I found tequila, poured three shots, and carried them to the table, setting one down on a beach-themed tile square used for coasters. “Two for you and one for me.” Handing her a glass, we tossed back the amber liquid. I handed her a second, then said, “After this, do you want to talk about it?”
She nodded shakily and then polished off the second. “Will you hold me? I’m a mess.”
I smiled and opened my arms. “Of course.”
We were quiet only for a beat when Gabby blurted, “It was my fault. I wanted to talk to her about our appointment tomorrow with the sperm donor.” Swiping the wetness on her face, she said, “And because it had been on my mind practically all week since she’d been away, I hit her with it on our way back from the airport. Who does that, Ethan?”
I was lost. “I’m not following.”
“She’s been away for five days, working. She was tired and just wanted to get home and relax. But she asked me how my week was and my feelings just tumbled out.”
“Ah,” I said, understanding. “Yeah, waiting might’ve been better. But more importantly, what kind of feelings?”
“I told her…” Her voice trembled and she paused. She inhaled and then her words came out fast, one word on the tail of another. “I told her that I wanted to take our name off the donor list. I wasn’t going to like anyone because I didn’t know them.”
I didn’t mean to but my gasp stopped her. “Sorry, go on. I’m just imagining Belle’s reaction.”
“Not good. And when she pushed me for more information, I told her that having a baby was going to be hard enough without knowing the sperm donor’s real personality. Everyone fakes their real personality in an interview. And then the baby’s here and he’s a fucking moron. And the baby inherited the fucking moron’s genes. Then we’re stuck.” When she finished, she dragged in a lungful of air, as if she hadn’t breathed the whole time she’d been talking.
I was speechless by Gabby’s admission. I’d been neglected as a child because my parents had been disappointed in my decision to pursue a profession in automotive engineering and work with my hands rather than devote myself to something in academia. The thought made me angry at Gabby. “You realize that your logic is faulty, right? How could you not love your child unconditionally? No matter what kind of traits or intelligence they have. No matter if you like them or not. You love all their qualities no matter what they are. Unconditionally,” I repeated emphatically.
Then it was Gabby’s turn to be stunned. “Ethan,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking… I totally forgot about your history with your parents.”
I got up and walked to the bay window overlooking the quaint side street. Flowering trees on each side were tall enough to meet halfway, creating a canopy. The homes were painted in pastel colors and most of their front yards were embellished with stone fairy figurines or metal sculptures in the shape of animals or birds. Turning to her, I asked, “What happened next?”
“She accused me of leading her along the last two years.”
“Which you have been,” I confirmed, my arms crossed over my chest.
Gabby waved her hand in defense. “I know… I know. All right? I confess.”
I softened seeing Gabby’s tortured expression and her red swollen eyes. “And then?”
“And then she left with her backpack and suitcase in tow. She dumped everything in her car and took off. A short time later, she sent a text not to contact her.”
“But I’m assuming that you tried to get in touch anyway,” I said, affectionately. “Am I right?”
