Page 42 of Floodgates

“And when did you know she was having your child.”

“Well, the next morning, after we….” He trailed off again, shifting uncomfortably in the chair.

“Had sex,” I offered, giving him the word he seemed incapable of saying.

“The day after, we had breakfast and she asked me what I wanted to do.”

“Damn considerate of her,” I snapped, finding my voice.

“She said she would be whatever I needed. I told her I didn’t need her in my life. I told her it was a mistake. I told her how much I love you.”

“Did she laugh?”

“No, she didn’t laugh,” he said crossly, defensive and annoyed. “She knows I love you.”

“Oh, I’m sure she does.”

“I can do without the sarcasm.”

“And I could do without the cheating, but what are we gonna do?”

He scowled darkly. “She promised me I would never hear from her again.”

“But? I hear a but coming.”

“A month later she came to the hospital and told me she was pregnant.”

“And you said?”

“I offered to give her money for the abortion.”

“You don’t believe in abortion.”

“I did that day.”

“And now?”

“And now even more,” he confessed gloomily. “Because I know this is going to haunt my life forever.”

“And you’re sure it’s your child?”

“I had a DNA test done.”

“Wow,” I remarked, my voice hollow. “You did want to be sure, didn’t you?”

“I was hopeful.”

“But?”

“But there is no doubt. He’s mine.”

“He?” I said shakily, my breath stuttering.

“She had an amnio done, and it’s definitely a boy.”

“Your son,” I said breathlessly. I heard the chair scrape on the floor as he leaped to his feet and overturned the chair in the process. He wrapped around me, and I couldn’t move. “Get off me.”

He tightened his grip and buried his face in my hair. “Trace… Tracy,” he chanted, on the verge of tears. “Please forgive me. Please, please forgive me. I’ll do anything.”