“Lately, you do.”
“The only issue I have is you accusing me of having issues.” He’s being obtuse and pissing me off.
“Kayne. In three months, we are bringing a child into this world. I want him to know his real father, not this watered-down version who can’t even look at me.”
“Are you saying I’m not the real father?”
I sigh exaggeratedly. “I’m saying you’re an asshole who won’t face what’s bothering him.”
Kayne finally turns around, anger burning in his eyes. Good. Finally, a reaction other than just aloof.
“Did you just call me an asshole?”
“I did. Do want me to repeat myself so you can hear it again?”
“That isn’t a very nice thing to say.”
“WelI, I had to get your attention somehow.”
“You have it. What do you want to talk about, Ellie?” His tone is menacing.
“What’s bothering you.”
“I told you, nothing is bothering me.”
“I call bullshit. Your mother is bothering you. Your past is bothering you. Becoming a father is bothering you.”
“Becoming a father isn’t bothering me.”
“But thoughts of your mother are?”
Kayne remains quiet.
“Maybe it’s time you found out what happened to her,” I suggest.
“Maybe not,” he seethes. I know this is a gaping wound for Kayne, a painful buckshot right to the gut. But he has to face it and now is the time.
“I can’t keep living like this. I need my husband back. I feel alone and scared and I don’t want to do this by myself.”
His expression softens but not enough to give me hope.
“I can’t, Ellie.”
“You have to,” I push.
“I don’t have to do anything,” he argues.
“Yes, you do! For me! For our child!”
“Let me remind you of something, kitten,” he snaps and I jump. “Iownyou,so that meansItellyouwhat to do, not the other way around. And if I say no, it’s no!”
“Kayne!”
“Enough!” he shouts at me. “Go find a corner to curl up in and leave me alone!”
“You condescending cocksucker!” I hiss. Outraged, I pick up the remote control off the coffee table and hurl it at him as hard as I can, missing his head by a half inch. It smashes into the window behind him, creating a starburst crack.
“What the fuck, Ellie!”
