Page 154 of One Good Reason

“That isn’t fair, Law and you know it.”

“Fair would’ve been you telling me when you found out. Fair would’ve been you realizing that I’ve been here!” I roared. “Fair would’ve been giving… Get out, Talitha.” I pointed to the door. “Just go.”

Folding my arms across my chest, I stared at her waiting for her to move. There was so much I wanted to say, so much I needed to get off my chest. Not like this. She was already going through a lot, and I was man enough to put my shit to the side while she continued to grieve. At least I could find comfort in the fact that she planned on keeping the baby. Talitha stared at me for the longest begging me with her eyes to say something to her and I fucking refused. When she finally gave up, she grabbed her purse and slipped out the back of the truck.

As soon as the door closed, I grabbed my phone and dialed the number of the one person I knew could put my mind at ease.

“Law,” she mumbled.

“She’s pregnant.”

“She who?”

“Talitha,” I sighed.

“Damn Harvey. I’m on my way.”

Walking through the halls of the school, I explained every room to William and outlined what our plans were. After seeing that we had indeed taken the time to set everything up properly, he assured me that once the rest of the board saw the facility, our accreditation would be approved.

With Talitha and I being in this gray area, I had a feeling we wouldn’t be up and running by the intended deadline so I decided we should just wait until the fall semester rolled around. That way it would give us the extra time to employ the proper staff and whatever else we would need.

I’d spoken with Baker this morning and after he confirmed that he would be going back to Warner Robins in the morning to pick up Talitha, I told him to let me know once he’d gottenher back safely. Once I wrapped up my meeting with William, I hopped in my truck and headed up to the Heights. I needed to sit down with my mother.

“I’m surprised you came up here,” Preme said when he pulled the door opened.

“Yeah. Came to holla at Mama.”

“Oh this must be bad.”

“You have no idea. Where is she?”

“In the study.”

I nodded and took the path down the hall to her study. Knocking on the door, I pushed it opened.

“Lawton, what are you doing here?”

“Did you hate me because he made you have me? Was it because you wasn’t ready to be a mother?”

“I didn’t hate you, Lawton.” She sighed. “I wasn’t ready to be a mother. When we learned of my pregnancy, your father was barely around. He spent the majority of his time working or out there cheating. I didn’t want to bring a child into this world and have to raise it alone. He knew that and promised he would be around if I went through with it. Even went as far as promising that he would stop cheating.”

“Did he?”

“Sincere’s here, isn’t he.”

Tossing my body down on the couch, I leaned my head back. “Talitha’s pregnant.”

“Oh my God!” she squealed. “I’m getting my first grandchild.”

“I don’t know. I don’t know what to expect.”

“What you mean?”

“She didn’t tell me. She’s known for weeks, and she kept it from me.”

“Why would she do such a thing?”

“I don’t know. We talked. In the beginning. We agreed neither of us wanted kids. She’s dealt with things in her past that had her questioning if she would make a good mother.”

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