While I Watched Their Kids, He Lived a Secret Life novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Shannon on the Porch

Ian drove me home, and he stayed in the truck.

"I'll wait at the curb," he said. "Call me if you want me."

"I won't need you."

"I know." He kissed my knuckles. "Call me anyway."

Shannon sat on my top step with the suitcase between her knees.

Cody was beside her, eating a granola bar out of its wrapper.

He saw me and waved with sticky fingers.

"Hi, Aunt Mags."

"Hi, buddy. Go sit in the back of the yard on the swing, okay? I'll be there in a minute."

He ran, and I stood on the walk with my arms folded.

Shannon's eyes were swollen almost shut.

She had been wearing the yellow dress for two days, and it was wrinkled.

"Mags," she said. "Thank you for coming."

"It's my porch."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"What do you want?"

She looked at the suitcase.

"Neil's mother drove me home Saturday night, and she was kind. She told me to keep the baby and she'd help however she could."

"That's good."

"Neil wouldn't answer my calls. Yesterday I got a text. It said the baby wasn't his, I should stop contacting him, and his lawyer would be in touch."

Her voice cracked.

"He blocked my number."

"I'm not surprised."

"He's been paying half my rent for a year," she said. "Out of the joint account. You know that. It was in the spreadsheet."

"I know."

"The landlord says I'm two months behind and I have to be out in ten days. I don't have anywhere to go, Maggie. I have no money. I'm having a baby."

She wiped her face with her wrist.

"I thought maybe I could stay in the back bedroom. Just until the baby comes. I'd help with the house, and I'd cook, and I'd never ask you for anything again."

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