Page 32 of Everything We Left Unsaid

Abby sobers at the sight of Ethan’s scowl. “No offense, Ethan, but I don’t owe you anything. This is my life, and I’m a grown woman. It’s none of your business who I choose to be with,” Abby declares. “Besides,” she continues, “shouldn’t you be getting ready for your set?”

The tick in Ethan’s jaw gives away his irritation, but he knows he can’t argue with her. “You’re right. Who you’re with is none of my business. But this time when he knocks you up and breaks your heart, find another shoulder to cry on.” He turns and stomps away before she can respond.

Her chin quivers a bit and I pull her in for a hug. “We’ve never fought like that.” She sniffs and swipes at her cheeks.

“He’s just in shock,” I offer to lessen the blow. “He still believes I’m the guy from that letter.” Even though he just threatened me and cussed me out, he did it for Abby. I can’t help but defend him. He just needs the chance to get to know me.

“You’re probably right.”

“We’ll talk to him later once everyone’s had a chance to cool down.”

“I shouldn’t have talked to him that way. I know he has a temper and all I did was add fuel to the fire. I’m usually better at handling his outbursts than that.”

I hate that she blames herself for his actions, but he’s her baby brother. She’ll always feel responsible for him.

We make our way toward the stage and find a few empty seats in the crowd. Abby’s grandma finds us ten minutes later. She’s huffing and puffing by the time she makes it to her seat.

“Enisi, are you okay?” Abby asks.

“I’m fine.” She waves her off. “I just got to walking too fast, afraid I’d miss the show if I didn’t hurry up.”

Abby shoots me a worried look, not at all believing her explanation. But before she can question her grandma further, the lights on the stage begin to flash and Ethan’s band comes out. The crowd erupts into raucous cheers as the music starts to play. They were pretty good when I heard them at The Barn, but tonight they’re phenomenal. If it weren’t for Ethan holding the microphone out and letting the audience sing parts of the song, I’d think they were lip-syncing. The band plays a few original songs before shifting gears and playing something everyone sings along to.

Chloe starts to fuss and rub her eyes as Ethan croons the opening line of “Twenty-one Summer” into the mic. We hold out as long as we can, but when she starts throwing herself on the ground and screaming, it’s time to go. She fights Abby as she tries to strap her into her car seat, arching her back and grunting, her face turning beet red. It looks like a scene out of an exorcism movie. I slide into the back seat on the opposite side and talk to her in a quiet, soothing voice. She stops fighting and her screams of fury turn into whimpering cries. Her pudgy hand shoots out as she reaches for me. I let her grab onto my thumb, and she holds onto it until she falls asleep.

“We’ll have to start calling you the baby whisperer,” Ama jokes from the passenger seat. Abby’s mouth turns up in a smile, and I don’t know if it’s because she’s amused by her grandma’s comment, or because I was able to calm our wailing daughter.

“She’s not going to do that when we try to get her out, is she?” I don’t think I have what it takes to do that again, but I’ll give it my best shot.

“No, she’s down for the count,” Abby assures me. “We just have to be careful getting her back out. No sudden movements,” she quips.

Abby drives us home and I watch transfixed as she carefully unbuckles and scoops Chloe out of her car seat with nary a whimper. I follow Abby into her room and stand next to her as she lays our sleeping child in her crib. When she turns toward me, I place a gentle kiss on her forehead. She sighs and rests her head against my chest.

“Long day,” I offer. No explanations, no questions, just an acknowledgment.

“The longest,” she responds in agreement.

I return to their house late the next morning and find Abby alone. “Hey, where is everybody?”

“Church,” Abby responds hurriedly as she wipes down the kitchen counters. Cleaning supplies are strewn about the kitchen, the vacuum cleaner standing abandoned in the corner of the living room. She’s in a frenzy, her body buzzing with nervous energy as she cleans their house from top to bottom in preparation for Sunday dinner, which her brother and Tiff, her best friend, are attending since they’re both in town. She hasn’t told Tiff yet that I’m back, and her brother hates my guts. I’ll be surprised if he even shows up.

I walk up behind her and slide my arms around her waist, pulling her back against my chest. She stills and drops her rag before turning in my arms. “Why don’t you take a little break and I’ll help you finish cleaning?”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. This is supposed to be the day of rest, and you’re working your fingers to the bone.” I lift her hand and rub her palm with my thumb before gently touching her fingertips to mine. Pulling her into my arms, I press a gentle kiss to her lips.

“Thank you.”

We sit at the table and drink sweet tea as she updates me on everything that’s happened since I left. Tiff moved to Nashville to live with her father and attend school a few months after Abby found out she was pregnant. Ethan and his band moved there the following spring to try to get their foot in the door in the music industry. They landed a record deal earlier this year, so he hasn’t been home much since.

Abby finished school but couldn’t find a job right away, so she stayed at Rosie’s, and with her bachelor’s degree was able to get a substitute teacher certificate. That’s how she met Gavin. My face remains impassive when she mentions her very recent ex-boyfriend, but inside my jealousy and possessiveness flare to life. I tuck those feelings away, certain my role in her and Chloe’s life is secured.

When our tea is finished and break time is over, we tackle the rest of the cleaning tasks and have it finished up before Ama and Chloe return. Abby is setting out her supplies for dinner when they walk through the door. Chloe runs to her and clings to her leg.

“Hi, Chloe Bug.” Scooping her up, she places a kiss on the tip of her nose.

“The house looks great, Abigail,” Ama praises.

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