EXONERATION (INTERFERENCE) Read Free Page A

retired.” 
    “It’s been seven years! When are you going to get over him?”
    I spun around and ran back down the stairs. “I am over him! I married you, didn’t I? You got what you wanted, what you planned! DROP IT! I don’t want any more kids!”
    “So, you’re the only one who gets a say in this?”
    “Yes! I get to say if and when I want another child. That’s how it works!”
    “Rebecca, I haven’t pushed you and I think I’ve been pretty patient for the last six years. But, I want a son. I want to have a child…with you!”
    “I don’t…I’m sorry,” I said, heading back up the stairs.
    “So, he’s the only one who gets to knock you up? Doesn’t seem fair to me, now does it? Especially since I’m raising his kid!”
    I stopped halfway up the stairs and took a deep breath. “Just because your name’s on the birth certificate doesn’t make you her father.”
    “Trust me, I know I’m not her father. You’ve never let me forget it.”
    “Parker, you’ve never tried to be her father. You signed the birth certificate, but that was the end of your duties as a father. I took care of her as an infant, I fed her, burped her, changed her, cared for her when she was sick. I’ve nursed her wounds and held her when she’s cried. When was the last time you even talked to her? You resent her because she’s not yours…but you make it so! She could be yours, but you’re too stubborn to let it go. You’re the one that’s not over him, and our daughter’s the one that’s suffered for it. She needs a father. So, grow up and be one. She’s the only child you’re ever going to have…from me, anyway. So, if you’re so interested in being a father, be one!”
    “I love…Shannon, Rebecca. But, is it too much to ask for a child of my own? A son to carry on my name? Just…think about it, please? I told you, I don’t have to touch you, we can almost guarantee a boy if we do in-vitro.”
    “I don’t want another child, Parker, I’m sorry.”
    “You mean you don’t want a child with me. Tell me, would you say no to him, like you’ve said no to me for the last three years?”
    I didn’t answer him. I headed into my bedroom and closed the door.
    “I guess I have my answer!” he shouted, which of course, woke up Shannon. And, true to nature, he walked out, leaving me to soothe her. But, as I walked into my daughter’s room and looked into her beautiful little face, I knew I’d have it no other way. I didn’t want him to get close to her. I didn’t want to share her…not with him. I hugged her tight and told her daddy wasn’t mad; he just had to go back to work and didn’t want to leave us again.
    I curled up with my daughter and fell asleep, only to sleep through the alarm. I felt her stir and sat up and looked at her Cinderella clock on the wall.
    “Oh, Shannon, wake up, you’re late for school. Get up, we have to go.”
    We quickly dressed and I raced her to school. I managed to get her there only a few minutes late and sighed after I kissed her goodbye and she joined her first grade class. I was watching her line up with her classmates and I saw her waving at someone and smiling. She ran out of line, leaving her teacher and me wondering what she was doing. “Shannon…” I said as she ran passed me.
    I turned to follow her, wondering what she was doing and I stopped when I saw her in his arms.
    “Thank you so much for fixing Snowball, Shane! She’s all better now. But, she hates those pills. Do we really have to give them to her?”
    “Yes. She needs to finish all the pills or she’ll get sick again.” He was staring at her and he grabbed her hands and said, “When’s your play?”
    “Tomorrow night. Do you want to come?” she asked.
    “If your mother doesn’t mind?” he said, looking up at me.
    “Can he, Mommy?”
    “I don’t think…”
    “Please?” she said. 
    “Honey, you need to go back to class. I’ll see you at rehearsal, okay?”
    “Okay. Bye Mommy, bye