Page 12 of Aaric
I don’t know what he thinks I need.I can’t think of anything.
“Can I ask you something, sunshine?”
I nod.
“Do you know when your baby is due?”His fingers run through the hair at my temple while he talks.
I draw in a deep breath and let it out.“Any day now,” I admit.
“Have you seen a doctor?”
“No.”My face heats.
“Ever?”
I shake my head.
“Okay.One more question, and then I’ll let you sleep.Do you know where the father of your baby is?”
Four
Hannah
I bite into my bottom lip and hold it hostage for several seconds before releasing it.“He died.”
Aaric’s brow furrows.“I’m so sorry.”
I shake my head.“It’s okay.I didn’t know him very well,” I admit.“I only met him once.”I cringe.That sounds awful.I just admitted to being the hussy I am.
Unable to control my emotions, tears start falling down my cheeks.I try to turn away, but Aaric cups my neck, stopping me.“Tell me why you’re crying, honey.”
He started calling mehoneyinstead ofsunshinewhile I was in the bathroom.It’s so endearing.My heart beats faster.He makes me feel like I matter.I know I don’t, but Aaric at least pretends to care.
“I can’t tell if you’re sad that the father died or emotional from hormones or just exhausted.I want to help you, Hannah.”
A sob escapes my lips.“It’s my fault he’s dead.”It’s a relief to admit my role in Jeremy’s death.
“Oh, honey… I’m sure that’s not true.”Aaric sounds so certain, but he doesn’t know what I did.
I cry even harder.
He grabs some tissues from the nightstand and wipes my cheeks.“I’m sure if you were involved at all, it was an accident.You don’t have a mean bone in your body.”
I shake my head and take the tissues from him.“I do.I had very mean thoughts.That’s why he’s dead.”
Aaric’s brow furrows.“What do you mean?”He slides his hand to my back under the covers and rubs.“You can’t harm someone with thoughts, sunshine.I promise.”
Another loud sob escapes.More tears.“I did.”
“Tell me what happened, honey.”
I never intended to tell a living soul about my transgressions.I’ve sinned.What I’ve done is between God and me.He will punish me as he sees fit.He might even cause the baby to die in childbirth.It’s what I deserve.I’m such a bad person that I should mourn the loss for the rest of my days.But I’ve pleaded with God to spare my baby.I’ve promised Him I would give the baby to a nice home where it can live to be strong and good.I don’t know if He’s listened or will grant my wish, though.
“Talk to me, Hannah.I promise you’ll feel better if you let it out.Everyone feels relieved when they unload their burdens.”
Eventually, I stop crying so hard.I’m still sniffling when I decide to tell the truth.Maybe this is the beginning of my punishment.Aaric won’t look at me with such kind eyes after I tell him.It seems fitting that I should be punished by Aaric, too.
“He was Presley’s son.”
