Even though they’d been raised by the same parents in the same household, Nikki and Trish had never been close. They’d just never seen eye to eye and were not as close as sisters should be.
But the fear she saw in her little sister’s eyes melted away years of indifference. “Trish,” she said softly, walking over to her. “What happened?
Their mother sat gently on the edge of the sofa, her hands placed in her lap, and a sorrowful look on her face like someone had died.
“Will someone please answer me?” Nikki pleaded as she looked from one to the other. None seemed willing to reply.
“Okay, sinceTrishdoesn’t want to say it, I will,” her father said in a booming voice. His gray hair seemed even more pronounced like he had aged since the last time she’d seen him. “Your sister got herself pregnant! There! Are you happy? You both seem intent on destroying my reputation and sending me to an early grave,” he spat dramatically.
Nikki gasped and turned to Trish, who stared a hole into the floor. Her long blond hair hung in front of her, hiding her face, but Nikki could still make out the glistening tears on her cheeks.
“Oh, Trish,” she said softly.
“Don’t coddle her!” her father snapped. “She should have known better. She was supposed to go to Seattle University and get her degree in journalism, not get knocked up by some loser. What will everyone think?”
“Oh, come on, Stew,” her mother finally spoke up. “I don’t see what this has to do with you.”
“Are you kidding me?” he asked and walked back to stand in front of his wife. “See, this is the problem right here. You let them get away with too much. Not this time. I will not stand for this.”
“I don’t get it,” Nikki said as her brows dipped. “If she is already pregnant…” The thoughts formed quickly in her mind as she realized what her father was demanding. “Dad, what’s going on?”
“She’s not having that child is what’s happening,” he barked.
“What?” Nikki replied. “What do you mean not having it? Do you really want her to get an abortion? Wouldn’t that be a worse feature in a gossip column than her being pregnant at all?”
“I don’t want an abortion,” Trish said weakly.
“Well then, how are you going to support the child? Huh?” Stew asked coldly like he wasn’t talking about a human being or talking to his daughter. “Is that good-for-nothing going to marry you? Where is he, by the way? Oh right! He walked out on you and this kid. You’re only nineteen, and I certainly am not going to take that on. Not at my age. And neither is Sophia. So where does that leave you?”
“What are you going to do?” Nikki wanted to know as her heart started to race. She was torn, considering she couldn’t have a child, and there she was, caught up in a conversation with her family over an unwanted child.
“He wants to send me to Arlington because he’s embarrassed. And then I must give up the baby for adoption,” Trish replied sadly.
“That’s right,” Stew murmured. “That’s the only solution at this point.”
“I have another idea.” All eyes stared expectantly at Nikki. “What if I adopt the baby?”
A tense silence descended upon the room just then, and Nikki looked around, hoping they would agree. She couldn’t have a child of her own, and her sister couldn’t keep the baby. It was perfect, and she was hopeful again for the first time in months.
Josh was adamant he didn’t want to adopt a child, but maybe he’d think differently if he knew the baby was Trish’s and not a stranger.
“Are you insane?” Stew finally spoke.
“Dad, think about it,” Nikki said excitedly. “That’s one of the reasons I came today. I found out that I can’t have children. I have this condition that prevents it, but this,” she said, turning to Trish. “This is a chance for Josh and me to have the family we won’t be able to have. It’s a blessing.”
“No,” her mother whispered. “That can’t happen.”
“What?” Nikki asked in dismay. “Why? You already plan on putting the baby up for adoption. Why can’t I adopt her or him?”
“Because what’s the sense in that?” Stew asked and circled her like a vulture. “Why do you think we’re sending her to Arlington? So that you can come back here with the child after?”
“Dad, I already live in Arlington. No one would know. If you’re worried about your reputation, no one has to know my connection to you or Trish. Just please, do this for me. Trish,” she said, turning to her sister. She took both of her hands in hers and squeezed them. “I know we haven’t always been the best of sisters, but don’t deny me this one thing. I’ve never asked you for anything.”
Trish hung her head. “I can’t do it, Nikki.” She sniffled. “If I have to give up this baby, I don’t want to know anything about her or him. How do you think I’d feel if you came over? I’d know it’s my child.”
“Then we won’t come over. We’ll stay over there. Away from everyone.”
Trish shook her head. “I can’t.”
