Page 85 of Love By The Falls

“I thought those downtown types preferred big hotel chains.”

“Well, we don’t have any of those here.”

“No, we don’t. And proud of it, too.”

“Have you two discussed if Caleb will be a part of the baby’s life?” my father asks.

I nod. “We’re taking it slowly. We still have some time left to work it out.”

My mother’s face scrunches. “I don’t know. I don’t trust them, New Yorkers.”

“Mom, we’re New Yorkers.”

“You know what I mean.” She shrugs. “It’s a good thing Jason isn’t around. That could be awfully awkward if he was in town.”

My back stiffens at the mention of my ex’s name. It’s a visceral reaction I can hardly control. “Why would it be awkward?”

“Honey, do you really think Jason would care to meet this man?”

“I don’t really care what Jason thinks.”

“You don’t mean that.”

When Jason left, my mother was just as angry and devastated as I was. I find it strange that she’s considering his feelings now.

“I couldn’t care less if Jason is in town or not. It just so happens that I prefer when he’s not.”

“When are you going to tell Charlie that Jason’s his father?”

“Shh,” I glance out the backdoor, but Charlie is piling rocks near the end of the yard. “I’ll tell him when it’s the right time. Jason’s only now, after eleven years, taken an interest in his son. I’ve waited this long. He can wait a little bit longer. What if Jason doesn’t come back?”

My mother crosses her arms again and purses her lips. “He will. Especially now that there’s another man in your life.”

*

On my way into town Friday evening, I drive by the Cedar Brook Mill. It’s just after six and most employees are walking back to their cars. Some live close enough to walk home on a clear evening like this one. My father used to work at the Mill, like almost all the men in this town at some point in their lives. Billy, one of our high school friends, is the owner’s son, but he hasn’t taken much interest in the Mill. He's too busy dating Debbie, the pretty waitress at McDougal’s Pub.

Mmm. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea asking Caleb to meet me here for a drink. I shake my head, dismissing the idea. Caleb is free to check out whomever he wants to check out. It’s none of my business.

“Hey Charlotte,” Debbie greets me when I walk in. “Is Charlie joining you?”

“No, I’m meeting a friend.”

“Okay, take whichever table you like. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

She winks and returns to the bar, shouting her previous order to the bartender.

As I walk toward the table, I catch the eye of a few patrons and hear whispers behind my back.

Since telling my parents, I’ve stopped trying to hide my bump.

You’d think I’d be used to the whispers by now, but they still bother me. I feel their curiosity, theirjudgement, and their pity. I roll it up into a ball and toss it over my shoulder.

I sit with my back straight in the booth, even though my lower back is killing me, but I won’t slouch, not while their eyes are still on me.

Everyone knows, or at least suspects, who Charlie’s father is, but this pregnancy has been making the gossip rounds in all the neighborhood kitchens and porches.

When Caleb walks into the bar, the room quiets down. Even Debbie stops to stare. He is impeccably dressed, wearing a fine tailored light gray suit, a crisp baby blue shirt underneath, and brown leather shoes to match his belt. He looks as though he stepped off a high-fashion runway. My stomach flutters and I rub my bump instinctively. The baby isn’t kicking yet, but there’s movement, especially at night when I lay down or if my heart starts racing. Obviously, the latter caused the latest flutters.

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