Page 18 of The Doctor's Surprise Family

CHAPTER 8

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Isat in the car for what felt like forever, parked by the gates to Claire’s parents’ place. The gates stood wide open, but going in felt wrong. Like stalking, almost. I wasn’t invited. But I’d leave if they told me to, so maybe that helped? All I needed to do was hand off my message, and then I’d clear off, simple as that.

Hello, Mr. Everett. I’m sorry to bother you in your home. I came to ask you to pass on a message to Claire. I’ve written this note, and I’d be much obliged?—

Much obligedorI’d appreciate?Or something more forceful, to make him see it was urgent?It’s important she gets this, so if you don’t mind…

I’d tried emailing already, but her address had bounced. Her number was disconnected, and Sam wouldn’t give me her new one. That left her parents, so Ihadto try, right? If Oli was mine, I owed child support. I owed a lot more than that, but I had to start somewhere.

I got out of my car and walked up the drive, past the guesthouse where I’d spent my first night with Claire. Hairs rose on my neck as I came in sight of the big house, and I ducked my head, feeling exposed. I couldn’t see anyone, but I knew they were home — lights on in the kitchen, along with a couple upstairs.

I’ve written this note, and it’s essential she gets it, so please, if you would…

I clumped up the porch steps, braced myself, and knocked. Footsteps came tripping and the front door flew open, then just as quickly it slammed in my face.

“Claire! Please, I brought?—”

“Go away.”

“Honey? Who is it?”

I cleared my throat. The door cracked again and Claire’s mother peeked out. She pursed her lips at the sight of me, then shut me out again.

“Just a minute,” she called.

I stood on the porch feeling sad and too tall, some lonely giant come knocking on doors. The thing with Claire’s house was, its bones were old, built for an era when “tall” meant five-six. At well over six feet, I had to stoop through the door. Now I stood towering over it, awkwardly huge. I could hear Claire and her mother on the other side, Sharon’s voice low, Claire’s loud and angry.

“I want him gone. Call the cops if you have to.”

“Call the police? Honey?—”

“Fine, I will.”

I held my note up so they could see through the peephole.

“I’m leaving,” I said. “I didn’t come here to scare you. I just brought this note, and I’m leaving it in your mailbox, and Claire, if you’d read it?—”

The door cracked again and Sharon glared out.

“Just wait there, would you? Sit over there.” She pointed me to the porch swing, then ducked back inside. I sat on the swing and tried my best not to eavesdrop, but I got the sense Claire was halfway yelling at me.

“That manabandonedme! And you want me to, what?”

Sharon said something, too soft to hear. Claire laughed.

“Are you kidding? No way. Noway.”

“Don’t you think you deserve, at least, for your peace of mind?—”

They moved away from the door, and their voices died down. I sat and watched the birds on the feeder, squabbling over the last scraps of their morning seed. After a while, the door opened again. Claire stepped out this time, tensed for a fight. She frowned at me, sighed, and glanced back inside.

“Mom thinks we should talk.” Her upper lip twitched. “I have nothing to say to you, but fine. Where’s your car?”

“Up there,” I said. “Out by the gate.”

“Then I’ll walk you back. That gives you three minutes.”

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