Page 17 of Jeremy
Abony finger points in my direction. “You. Do you have any decency whatsoever?That girl has no one, and you’re abandoning her with this responsibility?”
Whatthe hell is she talking about? Maybe she has dementia or something.
“I’mnot sure what you’re talking about.”
“Melissais a sweet, young, trusting woman who has had a hard way to go. She shouldn’thave to raise a baby alone just because she got knocked up by a selfish jerk.”
Herwords slowly sink in, and pure terror grabs hold of me.
Staggeringback to sit on the arm of my couch, I take a deep breath. “She’s pregnant?”
“Nofooling you.” The woman rolls her eyes.
“I—how—”
Hereyebrow cocks. “I’m fairly sure you know how babies are made.”
Onenight. The only night in my entire life that I didn’t use a condom. At least,I’m assuming I didn’t. I can’t remember a thing.
Ababy. I can’t have a baby. I’m barely taking care of myself.
Scrubbingmy hand over my cheek, I ask, “Who are you, again?”
“Myname’s Agnes. I’m a friend of Melissa. I’ve been staying with her, but I’mmoving to Florida with my boyfriend soon and whether she likes it or not, sheneeds someone to look out for her.”
“Shenever told me,” I breathe, still trying to wrap my head around the huge messI’m in. I just saw her yesterday, and she sure didn’t look pregnant. Closing myeyes, I do the math in my head. She’d only be about seven weeks. Women don’tshow that early, do they? Fuck, I don’t know. I should’ve paid more attentionwhen Dare’s wife, Ayda, was pregnant.
Agnesheads toward the door. “I figured as much. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tellher I let the cat out of the bag. She’s a good friend. She’ll tell you whenshe’s ready. I’m just trying to do what’s right for her.” She pauses beforeleaving. “Andyourchild.”
Idon’t know how long I sit there after she leaves. For the first time in my life,I have no idea what to do. Part of me wants to barge into her house and demandshe explain why she didn’t tell me, but really, why would she?
Itreated her like shit, threw her out the morning after we slept together. Idoubt I’m the guy she’d want to father her child. Even if she needs help, I’msure I’m not the one she’d come to. The kid would probably be better offwithout me anyway, and it’s not like anyone else would know. Hell, when my jobhere is done, I could head back to Indy and pretend none of this ever happened.
Maybe.But I’d still have a kid out there, and I couldn’t live without knowing he orshe was taken care of. I need to know more about Melissa. I need to make sureshe’s financially prepared for a baby, but I don’t want to get too involved andhave her expect things from me I’m not capable of providing. Agnes said she hasno one.
Well,she has someone now. She just won’t know it.
Bya stroke of luck, a package addressed to Melissa sits on my porch when I headoutside the next day. Her last name is Sanders. I’d put her age around twenty-threeor so. It shouldn’t be hard to find her information now.
Firstthings first, though, I scoop up the package and walk next door. I’m sure sheisn’t going to be thrilled to see me, but she’ll just have to deal with it ifshe wants her package. The steps leading to her porch have seen better days.They’re half rotted and soft in spots. If I weighed any more, I could’ve put afoot right through. They’re dangerous.
Ittakes her a few moments to come to the door when I knock, and she hesitatesbefore reluctantly opening the door. “What do you want?” she demands.
Yeah,she hates me. Fair enough.
“Thiscame to my place by mistake,” I explain, holding up the box.
Beforeshe has a chance to answer me, a very hyper wiener dog darts through the doorand runs around me in circles, barking his head off.
“Woody!Get back in here!”
Asnort of laughter escapes me. “You named your wiener dog Woody?”
“Ididn’t name him. I just wasn’t going to change it.”
Woodygrowls and bares his teeth when I reach for him, and Melissa smiles, pickinghim up. “At least I know you have good instincts,” she says to the pup, placinghim back inside the door. Taking the package from me, she mumbles, “Thank you.”Before I can say anything, she retreats inside and shuts the door in my face.
Iguess I don’t have to worry about her wanting too much from me. Still, as Iwalk back down those rickety steps, I know I need to do something. She’s littlenow, but once she’s got a big pregnant belly the steps won’t be so easy. Shecould fall and hurt herself or the baby.
