Page 34 of Not the Bodyguard's Widow
“How do you kind of get married?” asked Mom.
Alex explained the events of the day, including the Beachy Amish dress and the ultrasound results.
“Do you remember all the lectures you gave me about Preston last year? I was only pretending to be his fiancée. You married your principal.” Abbie hung up and immediately called back on video call.
Alex’s thumb hovered over the answer button for a moment. Not taking the call would be a mistake. “Yes?”
Both his mother’s and sister’s faces appeared on the screen. “Son, marriage isn’t a thing to play with.”
“I know, Mom. But it felt like the right thing to do. Kimberly kept telling me not to, and she had good reasons, but it felt right.” How lame was that? But it was the truth.
Mom grew quiet. “You’re sure about this?”
“Yes.” There was no question in his mind. For better or worse or only fifteen weeks, this was the right thing.
“Are you planning on a divorce?”
“Or an annulment.”
Mom shook her head, and her face left the screen.
“Where did Mom go?”
“She went in the other room.”
“How upset is she?”
“Do you have to ask? I think you topped the list of stupid things done by her children. But she is torn. On the one hand, you say it felt right, and they’ve always told you to follow your gut. On the other hand, Mom and Dad have worked hard to show us what marriage can be like, and you get married in some sham.”
“I know, but, Abbie, you’ve got to believe me. I’d do it again if everything were the same.”
“I do, Alex, I do. But I am not sure how I feel about this. You didn’t even tellmeuntil after. I need to go.”
The screen went dark.
Alex leaned back and stared at the ceiling. For the first time, he doubted his choice.
* * *
“Idiot!” A man’s voice roused Kimberly.
“Calm down. So help me...” a female voice responded.
“Both of you quiet down before you wake her.” Alex’s voice was only a decibel or so quieter than the other two.
“I haven’t seen Mom so upset—”
“Hush!” said the woman.
Kimberly rubbed her eyes. Not another bad dream and not the television. Curiosity pulled her down the hallway and to the front room.
“Alan, Mrs. Hastings said no fighting.” The woman sounded desperate.
Crash!
Kimberly hurried the last few feet. A man lay on his back on the floor, the coffee table on its side. A woman not much taller than Kimberly stood with her hands on her hips. Alex stood near the door, unsuccessfully holding back a laugh. His eyes met hers, and he bounded across the room to her side.
The man on the floor sat up and glared at the woman. “Who taught you that?”
