The Battle Within Read Free Page A

mocha woman, so that she could have beautiful brown skinned babies.”
    Kate could help but think that she didn’t want a daughter-in-law like me, she wanted it to be me .
    “Thank you. You’ve always known exactly how to make me feel better about anything. I’m grateful to have a friend like you in my life. And, for the record, Sandy’s eyes are not green…they’re blue.”
    Kate’s head lay just underneath his beating heart. Briefly, she closed her eyes, wondering how the hell she was going to make sure he didn’t marry that she-devil!
     
     

Chapter 2
     
    Franklin knew as soon as he heard April say they needed to talk that he was in store for a draining conversation. He sat on the couch massaging his temples trying patiently to listen. However, as soon as she took a breath, that was his opportunity, “I should probably leave.”
    She grew more agitated, “You can’t just leave every time I want to have this discussion, Franklin! Running away is not going to solve our problems.”
    He coolly responded, “I didn’t know we had problems .”
    “Please don’t be condescending.” She snapped, “And, I think if I’m ready to take our relationship to the next level, and you’re not…we most certainly have at least one big problem.”
    Franklin pinched the bridge of his nose, “April, we’ve discussed this.”
    “Yes, I know but things change. I want more. For heaven’s sake, I don’t want to be your girlfriend forever . We were once engaged. I want…I want to be your wife .”
    While it was probably for the best, wasn’t April the one who broke off their engagement in the first place? Franklin was desperately trying to rein in the anger he felt every time he thought about it. On the inside, he was raging but on the outside, no one would have ever known. He would exercise control even if it killed him. He was not his father.
    April paced the living room floor, “I know I messed up, but if I hadn’t, we’d be married by now. For better or worse right? How much longer are you going to punish me?”
    “Come on April…you know better than that. You can’t believe that’s what I’m doing.”
    She softened her voice, “Maybe not intentionally but…” April let the sentence hang in the air before continuing, “Franklin, I want to be a mother…I want children. I want your children.”
    That was almost his undoing. He pushed himself up and off of the couch. His chest tightened, “April you know that can never happen no matter how much…” He’d had enough, “Look, I’ve got an early day tomorrow. I’ll call you when I get home.”
    April stood in his way blocking his path. She reached out and ran her hands across his chest, “Franklin, don’t leave. Please. Wait…I love you. And because I love you…I’m willing to take the risk… any risks. You’re worth it. We’re worth it.”
    He took her hands in his, “April…I’m not willing to take the same risks. I can’t, no matter how much I wish things were different…this is my reality. I thought you understood that.”
    She stuttered, “I…I did…I mean…I do. It’s just…we could have so much more.”
    Franklin was emotionally exhausted. They’d been over this. He couldn’t blame her for wanting more, but he wasn’t the man to give it to her. Wasn’t that the exact reason he’d ended things with Sandy?
    Was this how it was going to be with him for the rest of his life? Once a relationship progressed to the point where someone wanted more he’d have to end it? A continuous cycle of having to end relationships?
    He kissed her softly on the forehead, “April, I’ll call you when I get home.”
    Frustrated couldn’t even begin to explain the emotions swirling within her as she watched him leave. The moment he walked out of the door, April counted to ten before screaming at the top of her lungs.
     
    *****
    Two years earlier…
     
    The summer evening was still. However, the moon was full, and there wasn’t a star in the