Page 123 of Badges
Yes, she is twelve now, going on twenty.
But I remember when she was born. And then how fiercely I had to fight to protect her from the creeps Mom brought around.
Not to mention the shit I did once she was gone.
It makes my stomach roll.
Crap.
Bile forces its way up, gagging me.
Scrambling for the garbage, I narrowly make it before I’m heaving up my meager lunch onto some discarded latex gloves.
“Elena?” Dixon stands next to me. “Are you okay?”
Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I glance up to see his worried expression.
“This just is a lot,” I croak, waving my arm in a general circle.
His jaw tics. “Are you prone to vomiting when you’re stressed?”
I shake my head, worried I’m going to hurl again.
He squats his huge frame next to me. “Are you pregnant?” he asks quietly.
I freeze, wide eyed, and stare at him.
“I don’t know.” There’s definitely a chance.
It’s not like Wade and I have used any protection.
He curls his finger, gesturing me to follow.
When he reaches the counter, he grabs a plastic cup with a lid. “Go pee. We’ll check while she’s in x-ray.”
This is crazy.
Dixon ducks to catch my eyes. “I won’t tell. It’s up to you.”
I can’t say anything for fear I’m going to puke again.
Wordlessly, I go into the sterile hospital bathroom and open the top of the small container.
This can’t be real.
Somehow, I manage to get almost half an inch in it before I dribble on my fingers.
Gross.
As I’m cleaning up, I splash some cold water on my face. It kinda helps settle my belly.
He picks it up with a gloved hand. “Go sit down. I’ll be back in just a few minutes with some ginger ale and crackers.”
“Thank you.”
It’s an eternity until he returns with a soda and snacks.
“Congratulations, momma.” He gives me a genuine smile before he leaves.
