Page 75 of Where the Dark Knelt
Chapter Thirty
GREAT ACTING
Rubbing Will’s arm to comfort him, I was unsure of what to say. “So how far along is she?” He twisted his mouth.
“About twelve weeks,” he admitted.
“So it was around the same time you came to college?” Will mulled this over.
“Yeah.”
“Okay, Will, let’s look at this objectively. This girl wanted you to stay home, yes? She wanted to get married, yes? She didn’t get that, and now she’s pregnant? When did you last sleep with her?”
Will said, “She’s about twelve weeks I think.”
“You told me already. I didn’t ask you that, I asked when you last slept with her.”
Shaking my head, I could see hewas taking everything the girl said at face value. “Listen, Will, you need to find that out. Where is she?” Will rubbed his chest like he was embarrassed.
“She lives about thirty minutes fromhere.”
Standing up, I dusted thesand off my legs and shorts. “Get up. We’re going to see her.” Will looked terrified about this and looked at me disbelievingly when he realized I was serious.
“Are you serious, Lily? We can’t just rock up there.” I scowled at Will’s lack of self- preservation.
“I’m as serious as a heart attack, get in the car,” I ordered authoritatively. “We’re going to find out ifyou are going to be a daddy or not. You’re not just rolling over without proof, Will. You said it yourself, she wanted to get married.”.
“You think she’s playing me?” Will’s eyes widened, surprised that I could think that. “I’m not knocking on the door saying, ‘prove it’. I owe her that much,” he said, shaking his head.
“Well, my plan will be ready by the time we get there, and when I set eyes on her, I’ll decide if I believe her or not. I’musually a shrewd judge of character. It doesn’t usually let me down… well, with women anyway,” I huffed. “I’m especially relying on it today. Oh, and Will, for this event’s credibility, youarefucking me.” Will’s jaw dropped.
“Don’t make me even more nervous, Lily.” He managed a weak smile.
“Just take my lead. We’ll get through this, okay?” He shrugged and raised his hands. “What do you have to lose?” I smiled at him, he shrugged. “That’s my boy!” I slapped his thigh.
Leanne opened the door, and Will stood facing her. “Will! I knew you wouldn’t let me down. Come inside.” She threw her arms around his neck.
Will mumbled, “I have someone else with me you need to meet, Leanne.” I stepped forward into her view.
“Hi, Leanne, I’ve heard so much about you, my name is Lily. I’m Will’s girlfriend.” Leanne’s face was horror-stricken.
I tried to sound sincere. “So… Will and I were a little shocked to hear your news, but you know, this isn’t the sixties, it happens, right?” I smiled sweetly and shrugged at her before I leaned forward and took her hand in mine. I placed my other hand over it as if to comfort her.
“So, honey, we’re all adults, and we’re going to work together to make sure that Will’s baby doesn’t want for anything.” I patted her hand. Leanne was so stunned she showed no reaction at all.
My thoughts werethat, if she was indeed pregnant with Will’s baby, she would be incensed that he’d brought someone else with him to see her.
Leanne’s non-reaction told me she was either lying, not pregnant, or it wasn’t his.I smiled at her saying, “Do you have some sonogram pictures, yet?” Then I spun in Will’s direction. “Have you seen the pictures yet, Will?”
Will was trying his best not to wig out at my performance, which added authenticity to our ‘scene’ as he looked mortified and awkward at the same time.
Leanne looked at Will. “I thought you would do the right thing, Will,” she said quietly.
Smiling slowly, I asked, “For whom, Leanne? Will is a good man, of course he’ll accept his responsibilities, and I’ll help of course.”
I smiled again.“It isn’t as if I’m short of money, but firstly, we’re going to need to know when you are due. Any idea what the medical bills are? They can be sent to you, Will, and you’ll want to speak with her obstetrician too,” I said, still assessing Leanne’s reaction.
Pretended to brush something offWill’s shirt, I commented, “As soon as we have the paternity tests back, I’llhave my family lawyers draw up a child support plan for the baby. How many weeks are you by the way, what’s your due date?” I turned to speak with Will. “We’ll need that paperwork too.”
