If Only We Knew Read Free Page B

in his eyes, as the waitress came over to refill their water glasses.
    “I don’t have an appetite,” she said, playing with her spaghetti.
    “Are you sure it’s not more than that? You’ve been acting strange lately.” He took a bite of his food.
    I need to tell him the truth, but how? “What do you mean?” Pressing her lips together, she stared at him.
    “You hardly let me touch you, and you’re always b usy. I miss you,” he said, clasp ing her hand.
    She gently pulled her hand away. “I have a lot on my mind lately. Work’s been stressful.”
    “Let me help you take the stress away,” he said, giving her a naughty smile.
    She looked at him. “Melvin, I like you a lot.”
    He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Shannon, I’m falling in love with you.”
    She was in shock at his confession. She thought of what to say next. She took a deep breath, and exhaled it slowly. “I think we should stop seeing each other.”
    “What? Why? Where is this coming from? I thought we had something.” H is eyes showed how surprised he was by what she said.
    “I’m sorry, Melvin.” Tell him . She got teary-eyed as she took another deep breath. “I slept with someone else.”
    “You what?” He raised his voice, released her hand.
    “I can’t keep it from you any longer. I owe you the truth,” she said, wiping the tear from her cheek.
    “You think this is going make you feel better, telling me your dirty little secret?” He looked at her with disgust.
    “No, it doesn’t make me feel any better, but you deserve the truth. I made a mistake.”
    “Who was it?” he asked in anger. She just stared at him. “Who the fuck was it, Shannon?” he yelled at her. People in the restaurant looked over at their table.
    “No one you know,” she whispered.
    “You’re fucking lying to me. I can see it in your eyes.” He stood up from the table. “You’re right. I don’t need to be with a fucking whore.” With that, he turned and left the restaurant.
    I deserved that. Not ready to look around and take in more disgusted stares, she kept her eyes focused on her plate.
     

Chapter Four
     

Three weeks later
     
    Thirty-nine, forty, forty-one …. Looking at her calendar, she counted the days. “Fuck.” She grabbed her keys off the kitchen counter and ran out her front door to buy a pregnancy test at the pharmacy.
    When she returned home, she went into her kitchen and drank water. “No, no, no. I don’t want a baby, I don’t want a baby. I can’t be pregnant.” She entered the bathroom. “I’ll kill him if I am,” Shannon cried out loud as she peed on the test stick.
    Three minutes later, she took a deep breath. “No, this can’t be happening to me. Oh God, I’m having a baby, I’m having a baby. What am I going to do?” She broke down crying. “I don’t want a baby.”
     
***
     
    Matt was at home, looking over the tellers’ schedules, making sure his supervisor hadn’t overlooked anything and that all lunch and breaks were correct. He’d been bringing work home since Karen left to visit her sister out of town. The house was lonely without her. The phone rang, and he picked it up. “Hello?”
    “Matt.” Karen was on the other line, crying.
    “What’s wrong, sweetie?” he asked, getting worried.
    “I had a miscarriage.”
    He remained silent.
    “Matt, I lost the baby last night,” she cried.
    He heard the words, but they didn’t sink in. “What do you mean you lost the baby?”
    “Our baby died, they did everything to save her, but it was too late. She was stillborn.”
    “She.” He got teary-eyed.
    “Yes, Matt, it was a girl. I’m so sorry, baby.”
    “Sweetie, it’s not your fault. I’m flying down there tonight.” He stood up from his desk and paced.
    “No, Matt, you don’t have to come. I have my sister to help me through it. I’ll be home next week.”
    “Are you sure, Karen? I want to be with you, supporting you.”
    “Matt, you’re supporting me right now. You have