“I don’t want to abort but I’m not sure I want or can be a mom.”
“You want to adopt it out?”
Nauseated at the thought of a kid of mine in the system, I take a seat at the picnic table, hanging my head in my hands.
“Adoption would be a last resort. I’m here to see if you would want full custody?”
It’s a lot to take in but I know myself, I couldn’t live with myself knowing I had a kid out there being raised by strangers.
“I’ll take him… or her. What do you need?”
She moves closer to me. “I just need you to cover the hospital bills and look after me till I give birth. I don’t want to do it alone.”
Nodding, I say, “I can do that.”
Running on adrenaline, I stand and pick up her case and take hold of her hand. “You’ll have to stay with me until I can find you a place in town.”
“I don’t mind.”
The brothers in the bar don’t miss the new arrival on our way up to my room. Once I’ve got my door unlocked and put her case down, I ask, “So, how are you feeling? Have you seen a doctor?”
She nods. “I’m suffering from a little morning sickness, it comes and goes. I’ll need to find a new doctor here in town.”
“I’ll help you. I want you to know I’ll be here for you, and the baby when it’s born.”
Her smile is as beautiful as it was when I first met her. “Thanks. Apart from covering the medical costs, I don’t expect anything from you. I just don’t want to be alone.”
“I hear ya. Can I get you anything now?”
“Is there a bookstore in town?”
I sigh. “I have no fuckin’ idea but we can check it out.”
Her smile returns and she leaves her case on the bed. I guess we’re checking it out now.
I go to offer her a ride on my bike when I remember why she’s here in the first place. The drive into town is quiet. She stares out of the window, taking in the town as it passes us by. Now her news is sinking in I wonder how it’s possible not to want your baby. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who has given up their kid before, but then again, I don’t pay much notice to other people’s lives.
I park on Main Street and thankfully there is a bookstore next to Kristen’s shop.
“I’ll wait out here for you.”
“I won’t be long.”
I lean against the truck and light a cigarette as she disappears into the store. I have next to no time to figure out what the fuck I’m going to do. I can’t make her my old lady just because we’re having a baby. The only things I know about her is her name, first name only, and that she feels great on my dick. It’s not a great start to a relationship. Besides, she doesn’t even want anything to do with the kid, it wouldn’t make for a happy home.I smoke my way through two cigarettes before she steps out with an armful of books.
“So you like to read?”
What a stupid fucking question. She has just brought eight books.
“It takes me away from reality,” is all she says.
So now I know three things about her. Still, it’s not enough to make a relationship work. I dash the thought away, she hasn’t hinted at wanting anything with me.
She briefly flicks through her haul while I drive back to the club, and I carry her books up to my room for her.
“I’ll be down in the bar if you need me.”
“Thanks, I’m going to rest.”
