Page 22 of Mr. Kelly

My mom comes into the room and laughs at the sight in front of her.

“What’s going on here?”

“Dad is giving me a hard time so I sat on him.”

She giggles and swats my shoulder. “Use your powers for good, River.”

I join them laughing and kiss my dad’s forehead before I move to the couch and lie down like my world is ending.

“Just call him or take a trip to see him, honey.” I look at my mom, wishing it was my sister who gave who advice so I could throw a pillow at her. “Don’t look at me like that. I can still spank you. There is nothing like closure, you can’t hide from him forever.”

Of course I can’t tell my parents that I’m sad over a married man. “I might go back for a bit. I miss my job. The money was so much better.”

“And so was your drink knowledge,” my dad points out while he goes back to his puzzle. I think he needs a pillow as well.

“Maybe,” I mumble so they’ll drop it. As I scroll through social media on my phone, the toast is forgotten. I still follow Helena because I want to be nosy and in the business. I’ve seen him at some of her events since I left, and it does look like they stayed together. I can’t tell if he’s happy because the few pictures he’s in, I can’t really see his eyes. He still has a poker face, but I’ve learned a few things since spending time with him.

I stare at him in the tuxedo. He looks so good it hurts. The caption of the next post catches my eye. Helena is dressed up and holding Theodore’s hand as he’s walking away. She smiles at the camera, and the caption reads:We’re excited to interview surrogates.

I sit up so fast, I choke on air, scaring the hell out of my parents.

“Sorry.”Cough. Cough.“Spit went the wrong way,” I croak to keep them from being alarmed.

“Surrogates” means that they’re trying again, but Helena cannot have babies for one reason or another. Despite the radio silence, I can’t help but feel bad for Theodore. A kid is all he wants from her. Standing, I make a snap decision, and this time I hope it doesn’t end in doom.

“I’m going to pack. You’re right. I should face my problems head on. I’m done hiding.”

My parents clap at my little speech, but do not move to help me get ready. I check my airline app and find a redeye nonstop ticket for cheap. I can’t believe I’m going back into the belly of the beast, but I need answers, and I just might have explanations of my own to hand out.

I strip for my shower and stare at myself in the mirror as I put my hair in a messy bun. I look tired. I’ll need to apply some concealer once I leave, but everything else is all good. As I lookmyself in the eyes, I give a pep talk necessary for me to get on the plane and follow through with my plan.

“You must do this, River. It’s only right.”

Turning to the side, I stare at my naked abdomen and run my hand over the soft swell. I know it’s in there, but I can’t feel it move yet. That’s the part I’m waiting for, although I adore the times I get to hear the heartbeat. The issue is, pregnancy is expensive, and even if we didn’t part well, Theodore needs to know that he’s closer to his dream than he thinks.

Helena is what gives me pause, but I’m willing to turn the baby over to Theodore if that means it’ll have a good life. I’m just not sure if it’s possible with a mother like Helena.

The city looks the same,but the scents are more enhanced due to my now sensitive nose. My rideshare is taking me to a hotel near Theodore’s bar so I zone out and call the number I’ve stared at what feels like a thousand times.

“Simon and Jones Law Firm, how may I direct your call?”

“Hi, I need to speak to the lawyer handling the surrogate search for the Kellys?”

“Hold while I send you to Melody Sanchez.” The hold music makes me nervous, but my pressure spikes once she answers.

“Sanchez, how may I help you?”

“Hi, I know the Kellys are looking for surrogates who are also willing to use their own eggs, but can you check to see if they’d consider adopting a baby. It’s due in five months.”

The lawyer sighs like I’m slow to understand the assignment. “Mr. Kelly is clear that he wants a surrogate.”

“I know, just hear me out. He knows me, so can you please just pass the message and ask?”

“Ma’am, if he knows you, why can’t you ask him yourself?”

“I’m trying to do it through the proper channels. I know this is a delicate process, and I don’t want to flood them with more information. Please. Just ask him if he’s willing to adopt, make sure to use my name, River Dupont’s child.”

I give her my phone number and hang up the phone. Dropping my head back, I take a deep breath to calm my emotions. That was harder than I thought. We stop in front of a hotel I’ve walked past several times. It’s hard to come back to a city where you once lived as a visitor. I want to walk to the penthouse or my old apartment, but both of those places are off limits. Instead, I check in, grab a sandwich from the onsite restaurant, and go to my room. All will be right after a shower and a nap. My little passenger makes me tired more often, but it’s all worth it. The love I feel for him or her outweighs the inconveniences.

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