“That’s all she said?”
“Yeah.She said she would tell me about it later.She was on her way to work, and she didn’t want to be late again.”
“It wasn’t just Chris that was there, Ava.Her damn family was there.”
“Whaaat?No wonder she sounded out of it.They must’ve wrung her dry.”
“They did more than that.Every time I think about it my head starts pounding.”
“What did they do?I hope you didn’t get into a fight with them?”
“Only after I found her in the bathroom crying and she told me her mother suggested she get rid of the babyfor Kate’s well-being.”
“She did what?How dare her!I hope you didn’t hit anyone.Did you?”
“I wanted to.Jay and I almost got into it.”
“Poor thing.No wonder she sounded like that.I know she wanted them to accept the pregnancy like Chris has.”
“As far as I’m concerned, them not being in her life is the best thing for her and my child.”
“I know you think that.”
“No, I know it’s best.”
“They’re not all bad.You spent a lot of time over there growing up, being friends with both Chris and Cat, even Jay.They care about each other.”
“Come on, Ava.So what she said is okay?”
“Hear me out before you cuss me out.I am in no way agreeing with what she said.I’m saying they need time to adjust to this new situation.There is a lot going on, and this is a very unconventional situation.She’s not in a good place with her family, but she loves them.You don’t, but she does.”
“I don’t want them near her, as all they do is hurt and disappoint her.They have had their chance.They don’t have to like me, but telling her daughter she should have an abortion so she doesn’t hurt her other daughter’s feelings is—well, it’s fucked up.They put all the blame on her for things going wrong.Everyone had a part in the unraveling of that family, things they didn’t deal with when they should have, starting with her mother.”
“I’m going to advise you to keep the door open for reconciliation with her family.”
“I didn’t ask for your advice, Ava.”
“You didn’t ask, but I’m giving it anyway because I can stand back from the situation and see it clearer than you, the people who are in it.So I’m giving my unsolicited advice.”
“Whatever.”
“She’s going to be estranged from her family because she chooses to be with you and she loves you.That’s a lot to ask of anyone.The family you have may not be the one you would have chosen, but family is family.When it all comes down at certain points in your life, you’re going to need your family, even the worst of them.Don’t make her choose between you and them.Try to help her find her way back to them, leave the door open for reconciliation or else it might come back to bite you in the ass one day.”
“Her family doesn’t deserve her!Look at how they’re treating her.”
“And you do?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re the man that slept with her sister and got her pregnant then she got pregnant by you the same month.As a matter of fact, if I have my math right, on the same day her sister loses her baby.”She says the last part like it’s a big secret no one should know about.
“That’s not fair, A—”
“What’s not fair?That I’m speaking the truth?This is how her family sees you.To top it off, you dumped Kate and now you’re sleeping and living with her little sister.Wolf in sheep’s clothing, remember that.In their minds you’re going to do the same thing to Cat, you can’t be trusted.”
“I love Cat.I would never do anything to hurt her again, to see the pain and betrayal in her eyes when I told her about Kate and me.”This is why I can’t tell her about Paige.Nothing happened, but I don’t know if she’s going to believe that.I put my arm on the desk and rub my eyes.If her family only knew…
“I know you wouldn’t hurt her, but they don’t.Can you honestly tell me if you were Jay and the rest of her family you wouldn’t feel the same way, Nick?”
