Page 60 of Single Mom's Undoing
I check my phone, sifting through the calendar to see when I had my last period. To say that I’m late would be an understatement.
“No… no.”
I’ll need a test to confirm, but it tracks. The symptoms track. They have been tracking for a couple of weeks now, come to think of it. The sluggishness, the tender breasts, the bloating, the nausea.
What the hell am I going to do?
“That’s a positive, isn’t it?”
Jodie’s voice pulls me out of the daze I’ve been in. Matty is halfway through his afternoon nap in his room, while Jodie has been kind enough to stay with me while I process.
I nod once. “Yes.”
Tears fill my eyes, quick to overflow and roll down my cheeks. She comes over and places a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. We both sit on the sofa, staring at the test on the coffee table in front of us.
“I should’ve expected this. We never took precautions. I mean, everything with the guys has been so beautifully intense,” I manage, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.
“How do you feel about it?”
“I don’t know. I feel…confused. Scared. Elated. So much all at once.”
“Do they know?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell them. I’m not sure I can stay here now; it’s too complicated. Worst possible timing, that’s for sure.”
“Don’t think that way,” Jodie gently cajoles me. “Babies never show up with Swiss precision.”
“I know; Matty confirmed that.”
“And has he not been your greatest joy?”
“I love my son with every fiber of my being, Jodie, but I am nowhere near ready to have another child. I’d like to keep the one I have alive, first.”
She hugs me tightly. “It’s a tough situation, I get it, but you’re not alone, Clara. You’ve got three wonderful men beside you who are more than willing to pitch in and see you through it. Hell, I know Carter won’t even let you spend a penny of Stephan’s trust for Matty’s surgery. He’d rather pay for the whole thing himself.”
“It’s more complicated than that, Jodie.”
I wish I could tell the whole truth, but the shame burns so hot, so powerful, I can’t even look her in the eyes.
“Then explain it to me, Clara. Because from where I’m standing, the solution to your problem seems pretty simple.”
“I wish I could but?—”
A knock on the door causes me to freeze.
“Are you okay?” Jodie asks, giving me a curious look.
“Yes, I’m…I’m just not expecting anybody.”
She stands, ready to answer the door for me, but I jump up and beat her to it.
“It’s probably just a courier—” I freeze in the open doorway as I find Bill Lockwood standing on my porch.
“Miss Barnes, how lovely to see you again.”
17
CLARA
