Page 70 of A Secret Chance
Lauren glanced at her watch; it was just past eight. “You know that’s got a lot of sugar in it and it’s late.”
“Please.” Tabitha’s eyes were huge behind her glasses. “I’m still not feeling good.”
Lauren knew that wasn’t the case but took the glass and headed into the kitchen. “Only because you’re sick,” she shouted.
The doorbell rang, it’s loud mechanical chime startling Lauren so much that she spilled the soda on the counter. “Shit,” she muttered.
“I’ll get it,” Tabitha jumped up from the sofa.
“No,” Lauren shouted and dropped the can of soda into the sink. For someone who only minutes earlier couldn’t walk to the kitchen, Tabitha was surprisingly fast.
Lauren stood frozen at the entrance to the living room, the glass in her hand, and the door opening in slow motion. She held her breath, knowing exactly who was waiting on the other side.
It was him. Baxter turned as the door opened. He smiled at Tabitha and Lauren swore her heart stopped.
“Hi,” Tabitha said.
“Hi. It’s Tabitha, right?” Baxter said.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“What are you doing here?” Tabitha asked. Lauren had managed to unglue her feet and walked to hold the door open over her daughter.
“I heard that your aunt wasn’t feeling good, so I brought her some soup.” Baxter held out a jar of broth.
“My aunt?” Tabitha said. Lauren’s stomach lurched. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go. She reached down and grabbed onto Tabitha’s shoulders to steer her away from the door, but she wasn’t fast enough.
“Auntie Charlotte isn’t here.”
Baxter tilted his head and Tabitha turned to face Lauren. “Mom, what’s he talking about?”
“Go to your room,” Lauren whispered to Tabitha. She shrugged in the way that pre-teens do and headed into her bedroom. Lauren stepped out onto the porch and pulled the door closed behind her.
“I can explain,” she whispered.
“You’re not sick,” he said. “Your... daughter is sick?” It was both a statement and a question.
“Yes.” She hung her head and kicked at the piece of ice on her front step with the toe of her slipper.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you had a kid?” Baxter handed her the soup.
“I-I-I...” As much as Lauren had practiced her speech to Baxter, the words weren’t coming.
“You lied.” He took a step back.
“I didn’t lie exactly.” Lauren reached for Baxter’s hand, but he pulled it away. “I just didn’t tell you the truth.”
“And there’s a difference?” Baxter’s voice grew louder. Lauren raised her finger, ready to retort, but as the redness spread from the collar of his jacket up his neck couldn’t find the words. “I thought that she was your sister’s kid, and both of you let me believe it.” His eyes flashed and he crossed his arms across his chest.
“It wasn’t a lie,” Lauren repeated.
“Classic lawyer speak.” Baxter’s voice was cold. “But why?” he shook his head. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“I couldn’t,” Lauren whispered.
“Why the hell not?” Baxter’s voice was hard and angry as he backed away from her. Lauren glanced back to the house and then followed him down the stairs. She grabbed Baxter by the elbow and led him to the sidewalk. “I never told you that she was Charlotte’s daughter. You assumed,” she hissed.
“And I assumed wrong.”
