Page 235 of The Baby Twist
“I didn’t want to have to remember to take a pill every day!” she shouted back. “The shot is easier.”
“Obviously, not for you!”
“Stop yelling at me!” she shouted.
I put both my hands up and tried to calm the fuck down.
“Okay, I’m sorry. But you really caught me off guard,” I said.
“You? You’re caught off guard? How the hell do you think I feel?”
“Well, you have options. There’s always an?—”
She held up her finger. “Say it, and your balls will be hurting for weeks. I am not having an abortion.”
“Okay, Marley. What the hell do you want me to do? Because if you’re asking me to be a father to that kid, the answer is no. I don’t want kids. Fuck,” I rubbed the back of my neck, “I can’t even commit to a relationship with a woman, let alone be a father. No. Absolutely the fuck not. I’m sorry, but if that’s what you’re looking for, it won’t happen.”
She stood there and stared at me as tears streamed down her face.
“This—this is all your fault! You and those little sperms of yours! Do you think I want this any more than you do?”
“You’re a strong woman, Marley. You’ll figure it out. If you keep the baby, I’ll support you financially. But a kid doesn’t fit into my lifestyle.”
“Really, Charlie?” She cocked her head. “You’re basically a kid yourself, sitting around playing video games all day!”
“It’s my job!” I shouted. “My business. A business that makes me a hell of a lot of money! A company I started and grew to the top. How many thirty-year-old men can say that?”
“Ladies and gentlemen. The award for the biggest douchebag in the world goes to Charlie Stone.” She began clapping.
“Like I said. You have options. If you choose not to explore those options, that’s on you.” I pointed at her.
“Enjoy the rest of your life, asshole!” She stormed past me and to the elevator. “By the way. Everything that happened between us never did. We never met, slept together, nothing. Keep walking when and if you see me on the street because I know I will. You’re nothing but a stranger. And do yourself a favor. Go get a vasectomy if you don’t want kids.”
“I most likely will now,” I said.
She shook her head as she stepped into the elevator. The doors shut, and I stood there trying to catch my breath.
Chapter Thirteen
Marley
I stepped into my apartment, sobbing. Olivia ran over and hooked her arm around me.
“I assume it didn’t go well with Charlie.” She led me to my bedroom.
“He doesn’t want to take responsibility,” I cried. “A kid doesn’t fit into his lifestyle.”
“He said that?”
“Yep, and other hurtful things. He kept telling me I have options.”
“Did you tell him you’re not getting an abortion?”
“Yep. He said he’d help financially, and that’s it. What am I going to do, Olivia? I can’t raise this kid on my own.”
We heard the apartment door open.
“We’re in Marley’s room,” Olivia shouted.
