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The door swings open before I’ister what has happened Rick stands there, tall and i, not at all the warm presence that I know him to be

Rick, I mouth Please, I knoe haven’t talked, but I need your help…

His gaze flickers to my swollen tummy

I anant, I whisper Please The baby’s yours

He looks me directly in the eyes A cold terror runs like ice water down my back There is no pity, no affection in his eyes--not even recognition It’s like I aer to him

Then, he shuts the door in my face

The darkness grows deeper

I screaround, as I realize I’m all alone…

I wake up with a jolt and realize I’m twisted and twined in my sheets I press a hand to ,rapidly

The clock reads 3 am I still have twelve hours until I meet Rick

I let out a long breath, taking a shaky sip of water frohtht, but that was by far the worst I can’t believe he shut the door in my face when I needed him

What if he does the same in real life? Slowly, I turn over and stare blindly into the darknessStanding now on his front porch, I can’t help but remeing myself back to the present moment At least Rick is no devil or demon; in fact, Bailey reet Surely, he’ll have h, I a of our love, and even unadulterated joy at the news that we’re expecting a child together

Is that too much to ask?