“What’s the matter, pumpkin?”
“Daddy, can I come home?” Ruth sniffled some more.
“Why? Did something happen with you and Gordon?”
“Yes. He said he doesn’t want children. And he walked out on me.”
“Are you kidding? And he didn’t tell you until now?”
“Yes. I’m eight months pregnant, and now he tells me he doesn’t want a family. So he finally decided he was not going to stay with me and be forced into having one.”
“Oh, honey. It would’ve been nice of him to tell you this sooner.”
“Yeah, no kidding. But there’s something else. I finally told him I’m a witch. He laughed and called me delusional.”
“Oh dear. Was he going to leave before or after you told him?”
“Before. I’ve been trying to tell him for months. He called me deceitful—about the baby—so I thought I’d better come clean about the one secret I’d been hiding, in case we got back together. But if he can’t accept the real me, we shouldn’t be together anyway.”
“Do you think a memory-loss spell is in order?”
“I already did it. I didn’t want to take any chances.”
“Good girl.”
“But now I don’t know what to do. I’m just panicking at the thought of being a single mother and losing the man I loved at the same time.”
Gaia heard Aaron grinding his teeth.
“I’m so sorry. Of course you can come home. I want you to.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“You don’t have to call me Daddy. I know when you’re feeling vulnerable and need my help. But you’re a strong woman. You’ll get through this.”
“I know. I guess I just feel like a scared little girl suddenly and need to be taken care of for a short while. Soon enough, I’ll be taking care of my own child.”
“I understand. When do you think you’ll get here?”
“To Puerto Rico?”
“I mean to our home in Brookline.”
“I’ve already started packing. I can pick up most of it later, but I can get there with a small suitcase in about an hour.”
“Okay. You have your key, right?”
“Yes. I’ll let myself in. When are you coming home?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Do you need me to pick up anything on my way? Some extra food maybe?”
“Just get whatever you need and want. Mrs. Rivera is on vacation, so the refrigerator is pretty empty. I’ll shop later.”
They said their goodbyes, and Aaron rejoined Gaia in the kitchen.
“I hate to impose upon you…”
