The Surrogate Wife novel · Chapter 4 of 16

Chapter 4: Nobody Wakes Up

I knelt on the hall floor and took Ethan's face in my hands.

"I'm going to stay somewhere else for a little while."

"Why?"

"Because some grown-ups told a lie about me. And I'm going to fix it."

"Is Kendra lying?"

Kendra laughed from the kitchen doorway.

Elaine set her cup down on the banister.

"Ethan, go upstairs. Grown-ups are talking."

He didn't go.

He held on to my sweater with both hands.

Lucas came in dragging his blanket and started crying because Ethan was crying.

Noah heard them both and joined in from the high chair.

The deputy looked at the ceiling.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry. I have to see you leave."

I packed one bag.

Two sweaters. My laptop. The photo of all three boys from Noah's first birthday.

The velvet box on my dresser was empty.

I kissed Noah's wet cheek.

I kissed Lucas on the head.

Ethan wouldn't let go of the car door, so I had to unhook his fingers one at a time.

Elaine stood on the porch the whole time.

When I backed out of the driveway, she lifted her hand and waved.

Isaac's sister had an empty apartment above her bakery in New London.

It smelled like bread and had one window that faced the river.

I sat on the bare mattress and didn't cry.

I called Isaac instead.

"They're saying I shook Noah," I said.

"I know. I've read it. The hearing on the order is next Tuesday."

"Next Tuesday."

"Seven days, Lil."

"Harriet said three weeks for the swearing-in."

"Call her."

Harriet swore me in that Friday afternoon.

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