#sandcastle

"Just over four months and you will." You cross your arms. "I wasn't sure if your son told you."

"He's never mentioned you, darling. I'm sorry, what was your name?" She asks with a smirk.

"You know me. I was at your birthday."

"There were so many people..." She shrugs. "And my son has a very... Generous heart. His women are hard to keep track of."

"And his bastards?" You challenge.

She stares at you and measures your accusation. She snorts and he smirk grows. "Alleged."

Your chest sears with anger. Your nostrils flair and your brows tweak. Your anger boils. It's not just the hormones, it's her flippancy.

"I see where he gets it from," you hiss.

"Well, darling, you won't be the first in town to have a fatherless child. Doubtful to be the last. In my day, why Pauline had a cute little girl on her own. Pity what became of them but that's what happens when you aren't mindful--"

"Actually. Fuck you." You sneer. "I'd rather do it by myself than let my child be near you entitled assholes."

"The language. How appalling--"

"Oh shut up." You reach and push the bell off the counter. "You might want to have your staff check the beds for crabs, hard to keep track of all those women like you said."

You shake your head and spin on your heel. You storm across the lobby, as angry as you are humiliated. You didn't expect much, maybe some disappoint aimed at him, but no, you're still the guilty one.

You hurry out the front doors and down the steps. You trip at the bottom and land heavily on your knees and hands, barely keeping from crashing down on your stomach. You gasp and stare down at the ground. You almost...

Your arms shake as you sit back on your heels and your eyes sting. You touch your stomach and exhale. You could have hurt them.

Your lip trembles as fear swells in your stomach. You've never felt this before. You cursed this baby a million times. You wished it away over and over.

No, you don't want it gone. You want these people gone. Then and their bitter tongues.

A car door slams and startles you. You look up as Sy runs over from his truck. You knew he'd follow.

"Are you okay? What happened?" He falls to his knees and grabs your hand, checking the scrapes on your palms. "Was it him?"

"Sy, no, I... I fell. I tripped." You sputter, still breathless. "I almost-- I could've..." You sniff.

"You're okay? The baby?" He asks.

"We're okay." You assure him. You sink down and slump your shoulders, rubbing your stomach. "That was... Awful. I don't know why I came here."

He hesitantly reaches out and hovers his hand in front of yours. Gently, he puts it over yours. His warmth is comforting.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You tried to stop me. I didn't listen." You sigh. "You've only tried to help me when no one else has. It's just what I do. I don't listen to good sense. I get myself... Knocked up and fired."

"You can blame me for that last one. Even the first one." He keeps hisbhand over yours. "I mean it."

You look at him and laugh. "Sy, you're sweet. In your way but this is a baby. A living thing. It's... A big deal." You heave. "I think I just figured that out myself."

"I know it's a big deal. It'd be an honour...if ya'd just let me be that man." He looks down sheepishly. "Be your man."

You stare at him. He seems genuine. As genuine as anyone has been to you. They all just laugh behind your back or spit in your face. You believe him but you just don't know if you can believe in yourself. He'll be like everyone else and get tired of you.

"Baby's are forever."

"I know that." He looks at you. "Maybe I want forever."

You frown. "What if I don't know what I want?"

He slowly bends his fingers and latches on to your hand. He gets to his feet and helps you up with him. He clings to you.

"I'll wait that long for you to figure it out." He says. "Can I get you dinner? Just for tonight?"

You look at his hand and carefully turn yours to hold onto him. You nod. You're tired and defeated. You don't think you'll make it all the way back on your own.

"Woman in my condition can't turn down a good meal."

He grins and backs up, gesturing you to the truck like a golden chariot. He walks you across the lot and opens the door for you. He helps you up into it and you thank him.

He lets you go and his hand grazes your stomach again. His smile only grows as he stares at your middle. You squirm.

"It's a happy thing, ya know. I just wanna make you see that. Wanna make you happy like you should be." He insists.

"I know, Sy." You gently pat his knuckles and he draws away. "I just don't know if I can do the same for you."

He nods and sucks his teeth. He closes the door and backs away. He marches around the front of the truck and climbs on.

"Buckle up. Precious cargo." He says as he pulls down his own seatbelt. He turns the engine and shirts into reverse. He keeps his foot on the gas as he grips the steering wheel with one hand. "But just so you know, I'd be happy every day with you." He turns to look over his shoulder and backs up. "Cause you're the prettiest woman I ever known. Waking up to that, going to sleep next to that... How could a man not be happy?"

Your cheeks burn. It's not him you doubt. You don't even know how to respond. You're already letting him down.

"Oh and so ya know, I'd knock that dummy's block off again any day." He sneers.

"Please don't." You say. "Just..." you look over at him. "Let me get you cleaned up." You tut. "Oh Sy, look at your face."