Bullied by the Boss

“Did Frank tell you where I was?” she asked.

“No. He didn’t. He told me that I had to figure that out on my own. I did.” He smiled, and she still stared at him.

“You can leave now.”

“Nora, we’ve got to talk.”

“Why talk to someone who is a stupid child, Rex? We’ve got nothing to say to each other.”

“You’re carrying my baby. We have a lot we have to say to each other.”

She was on the steps leading up to the house. She spun around, and folded her arms once again.

“I’m an asshole, but I don’t want you to go through this alone. We are in this together. What I said last night—I was an ass. Didn’t you get my messages?”

“I got them.”

“Did you listen to them?”

She shook her head. “Not all of them. They said the same thing.”

“You don’t believe me.”

“I’m pregnant, and you’re suddenly telling me that you love me that you always loved me. Rex, you hated me. Most of the time I’ve worked for you, you’ve been an overbearing prick.”

It was the first time he had heard her call him a name.

“I know. I’m every single horrible name you can think of and some more. I’ve earned that. Nothing I say can forgive what I said last night.”

“I didn’t want to be pregnant. I didn’t want to be tied to you in anyway.” Tears filled her eyes, and her words were like a kick in the gut. He didn’t know if she really felt that way or if she was just saying it to hurt him. He didn’t mind either way. There was no chance in hell that he was going to give her up.

“Regardless of what you want anymore, babe, you’re pregnant, and I know you wouldn’t get rid of it. Even if you hate me right now. You don’t hate me all the time.”

She sucked in her top lip, and nodded. “You can come in if you want.” She didn’t wait around for him, and entered her family home.

His heart was breaking, and it was all his fault. Walking up the steps, he entered her home, and followed the noise into the kitchen.

“I know you were talking to Frank. I won’t do or say anything. You can work with whoever you want.”

“Providing I get credit, right?” she asked.

“Again, I don’t like Carl. He’s a prick.”

“Kind of like you.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Yeah, that seems to be my deal. That’s the kind of men I help.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for exactly? Are you sorry for being mean to me? Are you sorry for being an asshole? Are you sorry for sleeping with me? Are you sorry for getting me pregnant? What exactly are you sorry for?”

“I’m sorry for being mean and an asshole. I could never be sorry for sleeping with you, or knocking you up. I consider that an achievement.”

“Your ego knows no bounds.”

“I wasn’t lying on the phone. I’m in love with you, Nora. Have been for a long time.”

“But you still slept with other women.”

“I’m not a monk. I’m not a virgin. I didn’t think for a second that I would ever know how amazing you were in my arms. You never looked twice at me.”

“Yet I gave you my virginity, and I was totally lost in the moment. I didn’t think about it. I just … I was caught in the moment. I loved how being with you felt. I was happy. Condoms, protection, it was the last thing on my mind. This is my mistake. I shouldn’t blame you. This is my body. I’m an idiot.”

The scent of lemon filled the air, and coffee.

“How did you not know?” he asked. “I came inside you all the time.”

She placed the coffee jar on the counter with a hard slap. Her cheeks were bright red. “I thought it was me.” She laughed. “I thought I was that turned on. I’ve spent so much time with my head in a book, or in a cookbook, I didn’t even give it a thought, and I never saw you put one on, and during it, it was the last thing on my mind. Condoms. I guess I just figured you were taking care of it. You hate women who get pregnant and use kids in divorces, so I didn’t expect you to be so careless. Especially with me. Again, this isn’t your fault. This is mine. I should have gotten my head out of the clouds, and stopped daydreaming.”