Page 47 of Storm

He hesitates before asking, “Is there something I can do to ease the burden? Do you need money?”

“No,” I seethe. “I don’t want your pity money. I make enough for?—”

His head whips toward me, then immediately he turns back to face the road. “It’snotpity money. I’m trying to figure out how I can meet some of your needs right now. I assume you don’t want all of us descending on you in your home quite yet, and if I can’t help you there, I’m offering to supplement your financial needs so you can cut back on your hours at work.”

I grind my teeth together because he’s being reasonable, but I want to be stubborn and still insist I don’t need his help. Crossing my arms, I glare at the passing scenery, battling my anger.I fucking hate all of this.

“Would you look at me for a minute?” His voice is gentle, drawing my eyes to him. “Will you please believe me that my offer wasn’t an insult to your ability to provide or that I think you’re looking for a handout? It’s not. It’s purely from a practical standpoint. While you have been capable of holding your current schedule before, and I admire that, it’s just not feasible in your current condition.”

My eyes begin to water, and I blink them away.Goddamn hormones fucking me all up. “I’m not… I don’t…” I trail off, not sure what I’m trying to say.

“How about this? For now we’ll table it, but will you let me help in other ways? I can have some meals prepared and sent to your place, so when you’re home, you don’t have to worry about cooking. Or you could give me a list of items you need on a regular basis and let me set up a reoccurring order to have it delivered. What about your schooling? Have you talked with your professors about what your schedule is going to look like moving forward?”

Not wanting to agree to the first part of his offer, I respond to the less intrusive questions. “I only have a few weeks of classes this semester before finals and holiday break. I’ve already had a meeting with my advisor and we’ve decided that for the next year, I’ll cut my credits in half until I have a better idea of my availability. We also discussed online options so I can take classes remotely and not in the evenings. As long as I speak with the professors and let them know I’ll watch the recorded lectures, I won’t have to attend classes in the late evenings.”

He nods the entire I explain, clearly pleased with the obstacle of my school having been dealt with. “Have you considered pausing until the timing is better suited for seeking a degree?”

“Papí,” I say sarcastically. “I can always find reasons to delay, but I refuse to go down that path. Getting my certification will open up my career opportunities, which will increase my pay. That’s the most important thing to consider, and I won’t live paycheck to paycheck as a single mom. Been there and done that. It’s miserable.”

Side-eyeing me, he sighs. “Understood. Just want you to consider all your options. You won’t be a single mom, though. Don’t forget that, Miriam.”

“That’s not guaranteed.” I’m defensive, but he has to know that I can’t operate on maybes and little promises.

“It is. You don’t have to believe me now, but I’ve known these men for years, and I know myself. No matter what happens, you’ll have support in every way you’ll accept from us.”

We’re silent for a while, me unable to respond because Idon’tbelieve him. Beating a dead horse does us no good. The drive remains somewhat awkward until Kevin asks me a question out of left field.

“Did Tito like the tinsel?”

It breaks the ice, and I start laughing. “How the hell do you even remember his name? But no, I didn’t even get the chance to set it up. My dad hadn’t pulled out the tree yet, so I’ll have to plan for the next visit over. I did see this craft idea where you make tinsel pompoms. I’m considering it because it’ll be less for me to clean up after the holidays.”

I’m grinning at him, but his face grows solemn the longer I speak.

“What’s with the face?”

He quickly schools his features. “Nothing. Don’t forget to give me your appointment information so I can pass it along toeveryone else. If you’re still comfortable with us attending, that is.”

See, this is the part that’s fucking with my head. Why in the world would they possibly want to go?Yes, one of them is the father, but the baby is months away from being here. Right now, the appointments are centered around me and my health.

“Now I’m going to ask you the same question. What’s with the face?” His tone is teasing, if not slightly unsure.

“I guess I just don’t understand. You seriously want to go? I can get information on testing for paternity, then just let you all know when and where to go.” I fiddle with the edge of my seatbelt, running the pad of my finger along its edge nervously.

Lifting his foot off the gas, the car slows down as he merges to the right lane, then signals for the next exit. “I’m going to fill up before we finish our drive. I’m not sure what you don’t understand. We all told you we want to go. What’s confusing you about that?”

“Capitán, I was nothing but a warm body for you all to fuck. I’d say whore, but I refused the money, so I guess that’s a win. The baby will have no idea if any of you show up before he or she is born. So, I don’t understand what the point of going is? You’d have nothing to do with me if it weren’t for this pregnancy, so what’s the point? I refuse to be an inconvenience.”

It kills me to admit it, but being viewed as a burden is repulsive to me. I can’t stand the thought of misplaced duty directed toward me. I’ll end up having a co-parenting relationship with someone who resents me. That’s how my mother felt for years with my dad. And that’s why she left.

“You’re wrong.”

“I’mright, and you know it,papí.”

“Why do you call me that?” Another question from left field, and I glare at him as we pull up to a gas pump. Turning off the engine, he turns to face me, waiting for an answer.

Mirroring his position, I jab a finger in his direction. “You know exactly why I call you that,papí. Do you really need me to explain? Besides, I was just being sarcastic.”

This time when he smiles, it’s a full-blown grin. “Idoknow why you call me that, and I doubt it was entirely sarcastic. I think you’re very aware of that side of me, and since you are, you have your answer.”

---