Tainted Love: contemporary womens fiction love story and family saga (Behind Closed Doors Book 1) Read Free

even though I fixed my hair in Cal’s favorite style and had put on a little makeup — you know, made a bit of an effort — he didn’t even notice!
    There were no flowers or a card as he walked through the door. He didn’t see there wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere. He slung his jacket over the sofa, kicked his shoes off into the middle of the floor and left his briefcase on the dining room table when it was all set with candles and cutlery. I even went to the trouble of getting the best china from the very top of the kitchen cupboard, where he’d stored it for some unknown reason. I was not in the mood for his rough day too.
    I picked up his things and went to put them away. On my way into the kitchen, the pain got hold of me again. I stopped and held on to the work surface. I was sure this was just another Braxton-Hicks, and it would pass in a few seconds, but this time, it didn’t. The pain was much sharper than it had been before.
    At that moment, Cal walked in. He took one look at me and hissed, “Pull yourself together, Fay.” I glared at his back as he opened the fridge. “You know, Emma was never like this.”
    He hadn’t! He had NOT just compared me to his dead wife. How could he? Everything — the clothes, feeling unwanted and unloved on Valentine’s Day, the fake labor pains, the just not wanting to be pregnant anymore — came out in three very angry, very loud words.
    “ I’m not Emma! ”
    I don’t think I ever raised my voice at Cal like that before. He looked stunned for a moment. Then his eyes darkened and his lips made a thin line, and he said, “No. No, you’re not. Emma would never have me racing to the hospital at four o clock in the morning with phantom labor pains!” I gasped at the venom in his voice. “One time, Faith? Fair enough. But two? Both times? I've never been so embarrassed in my life.” He walked out.
    I fumed as the front door slammed. How dare he speak to me like that? I called Mom. I wanted Dad to come for me. He wasn’t the only one who could walk out, you know.
    I ranted at our mother, telling her how awful he had been. What had I done to make him hate me this much? I hadn’t become pregnant on my own! Was it too hard to ask for him to talk baby names? He’d had months to get used to the idea. All I’d wanted was one special night. Had he realized it could be our last? Why didn’t he see how hard this was for me? I never saw any of my friends anymore because we lived so far away from where I’d grown up.
    It really wasn’t that far, but I felt like I didn’t see anyone anymore because I’d given up my job. He was all I had, and when he told me I was not as good as … oh … oh no… that did not feel good.
    Of course Dad denies it, but he must have broken the speed limit, because when Georgia decided she was coming out, she was not going to wait. There wasn’t time for any pain relief, and by the time Dad found him, Cal barely made it to the hospital before they were telling me to push.
    Now, let me tell you, little brother, just be grateful you’re a man! There is nothing more painful than pushing a six pound baby through that hole without pain relief. So now you’re asking me why I did it again, and so many times. Well, you see, it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen… this man, with whom I’d fallen in love…
    The midwife handed Cal his daughter, and his smile... well, it was at least a mile wide. His eyes were as big as flying saucers and shining with magical wonder. He couldn’t believe she was there. He peppered the nurses with questions. He really couldn’t believe she was fine. Yes, Calvin, ten fingers, ten toes, and a cap of dark hair. He really did care! I felt all warm, fuzzy, and only the tiniest bit angry with him.
    “I think she looks like a Georgia,” he said, and then he looked down at her and his voice… oh my! The emotion… the pride… the joy… the love and… if he knew I was telling you this he’d kill me…