AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You have to realize that baby is coming whether or not I set up the crib,” she tried to reason, but I wouldn’t be swayed.
I sat shaking my head at the memory of that argument.
There were dreams. And in those dreams, there were whispers. I knew who it was, and I knew what he wanted. But I wanted to scream every time and blame Dexter.
I tried. If only the Angel of Death knew how hard I tried. Instead, he reminded me of my loneliness until I woke, sobbing.
There was a knock on my door, jarring me from my thoughts, and I yanked it open, already preparing my speech for Miranda.
“Quit it with the nursery talk—” My words stopped, and my jaw hung open when I saw it was Ralph in front of me.
“What the fuck, Noa?” His wide eyes took in my pregnant belly while I took in his large frame filling my doorway.
What the hell?
“How’d you get in here?” I didn’t mean to sound like I didn’t want him here. But damn it, a warning would’ve been nice.
“I let him in,” Miranda announced as she stepped around him, rubbing my swollen belly in passing. “Hi there, baby baby.” She always sounded like an idiot when she tried to coo.
I stepped aside and let Ralph in. “I’m suing Larry,” I said under my breath.
Miranda ignored me, and Ralph sat on my couch, looking like I’d just told him the world was actually upside down and that meant he was a girl.
“Have you never seen a pregnant woman before, Ralph?” I asked with mock politeness. “Sorry, I haven’t had company in a long time. And I’m hungry.”
Miranda walked back in and offered me an apple, which I took with a scowl. “Apparently I don’t count as company because I’ve seen her naked,” she announced before sitting on the armchair.
“Would it be rude to ask you who the father is?” Ralph asked.
“Yes,” Miranda snapped.
I rolled my eyes. “You know it’s Dexter’s.”
We all stood there quietly, the only sound being the hum of the central air kicking on. I took a bite of my apple and sat next to Ralph.
“He doesn’t know, Noa,” he said, and I knew I’d have to tell him everything—so, I did. Afterward, his face reddened with anger. “That little dipshit.”
I was taken aback.
Ralph is actually on my side?
“I mean, what you did was wrong,” he said.
Just kidding.
“But he shouldn’t have left you,” he added.
I was going to ask it. The question was coming up like a sickness in my belly, determined to be let out. “Is he married yet?” It was quick, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
“Not that I know of. I didn’t even know they were engaged.” He sat forward, and I knew that wasn’t the reason he’d come here. “Molly’s dead, Noa. Her funeral is tomorrow afternoon. You have to be there.”
I dropped my apple and stood, quickly telling him where he could put his invitation.
“You know she’d want you there,” Ralph said. “And, despite his shit way of proving it, Dexter needs you there. He hasn’t been the same since you guys split up.”
“We didn’t split up!” I yelled. “He fucking left me! Again! To go be with Rachel, the sweetest bitch in the world.” I picked up whatever was nearest and threw it. My remote hit the wall and pieces flew everywhere. “This is what happens when I’m pissed off and hurt and have no way of releasing it. I can’t paint, I can’t run. I can’t have sex! What the fuck!” I sat back down, my arms crossing over my belly.
Instantly, my hands went to the mound and I felt a hefty kick. My eyes, which were filled with tears of anger, quickly crinkled with joy. I grabbed Ralph’s hand and pressed it to where my nugget was having a field day. “Do you feel it?” I asked, careful not to let any gender slip.
