Page 40 of Love By The Falls

Jane shakes her head. “No. No, I’m sorry to make you worry. You’re right, it’s not that bad. I’m probably just making a big deal about it.”

“About what, Jane? Tell me, I can’t take another minute thinking the worst.”

What if one of my students was hurt or their parents? What if the school burned down?

My mind conjures the wildest images.

“Jason is in town for his sister’s wedding next weekend.”

“Jason?” My head goes blank and my heart pounds against my chest. “Charlie’s father?”

“Yes.”

My fingers trail to my collarbone, and I stare at a mark on the bedroom wall, as I envision the man who left me pregnant and heartbroken more than ten years ago. “This isn’t the first time he returned. He’s come a couple of times before. I’m sure we’ll avoid each other as we have in the past.”

Jane’s voice is low, as though she can barely get the words out. “He asked to see Charlie.”

I snap my head in her direction. “What? When? Did you let him? You should have called me Jane. I—”

“Calm down, Charlotte.” She places her hands on my shoulders and walks me to the bed. The back of my legs hit the mattress, and I sit. “We didn’t let him. He approached Austin after spotting them in town, but the boys were in the car already. Austin told him you were away and that he wouldn’t allow him to meet with Charlie without your consent.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, as I control my temper and all the emotions rushing through me. I couldn’t even name them all, just that it feels as though something were choking me.

“Why now? Why does he want to meet Charlie now?”

Jane shakes her head. “I don’t know, but I wanted to warn you. I knew this would be shocking, and I hoped to give you some time to sort through it before making your decision.”

I nod, hearing Jane but no longer listening as panic sets in.

Does he want to fight me for custody now? Is he going to take Charlie from me?

“Charlotte, don't do this. Breathe.”

“Shit, Jane. You should have waited until she got some sleep.”

“I’m not tired,” I say. “I’m scared. No, I’m not scared. I’m terrified.”

Jane sits next to me and holds my hand. “We are here for you and Charlie. Jason’s only in town for the wedding. I think he just wants to meet his son. I wouldn’t take it for anything more than that.”

“Charlotte, honey. Jason never wanted to be a father. I don’t think that’s changed,” says Sage.

I didn’t want to be a mother either, but when I held Charlie in my arms, everything changed. I changed.

“Thanks for telling me, Jane. I’m prepared now. There’s no way I’ll let Jason speak to Charlie. He made his choice ten years ago.”

11

Charlotte

After a good night’s sleep, my body is calm, and the blaring sirens in my head are silent. Charlie stands at the door, his backpack, jacket and hat on. “Come on, Mom.”

“We’re not running late, Charlie. There’s no rush.”

“I know. But the first one at school gets to choose which basketball to play with at recess and there’s only one good one.”

“There is?”

“Yeah.”

---