Pretty Hurts (Left 1.50)

“Well, let’s find out.”

The judge opens the sealed envelope, and I hold my breath.

“In the case of Betty Lucille Bird, Mr. Gilborn, you are not the father.”

The wail in the office sets off Betty and the two blondes dissolve into sobbing messes.

“Ms. Bird, I think you owe this young man an apology and an explanation.”

“I-I just wanted him to be her father so badly. The dates were so close.”

“You were cheating on me?” Edgar asks coldly.

“No. It was a bad choice. A one off with an ex. I was a little freaked about the engagement and one thing lead to another.”

“You should’ve told me,” Edgar says.

She sniffs. “I know.” She brings Betty to her shoulder and rocks back and forth, patting her back. “I just … I couldn’t face it. Then she started to get older, and I knew it wouldn’t be fair to her if she didn’t have a father.”

“How did this happen? We were always so careful.”

“I was sick, and I had that antibiotic.”

Edgar grunts. I’m guessing the dates between them don’t line up. All her dirty laundry is aired, and I’m no longer worried if I measure up to her. I reach out and take his hands. His gaze latches onto mine.

“I don’t wish you ill. But I’d appreciate if you stay away from my family and I. Our time together is in the past, and that’s where it needs to stay.”

“You’ve heard the man, Ms. Bird,” the judge says. “Bailiff, can you walk Ms. Bird out, please?”

She stands and I watch as the chapter of his life before me closes with a resounding echo of a thick wooden door.

“Thank you, Judge,” Edgar says as we stand and he leans across the desk to shake her hand.

“I hope I don’t see you again, young man.”

“Oh, you won’t,” he replies with a laugh.

“How do you feel?” I ask quietly as we leave the courthouse.

“Relieved. Does that make me an awful person?”

“If you are then I am too because I’m right there with you.”

Slipping his arm around my waist, he pulls me to his side. “Thank you for sticking with me through this.”

“Always.”

He bends down and kisses my forehead. “We should go celebrate.”

“I think we’ve earned a second cheat day this week,” I say.

He laughs. “Okay. So we’ll go out to eat based on the dessert menu tonight.”

“I love the way you humor me.”

“Why don’t we skip the dinner and head to Oui Desserts?” he asks.

My mouth waters at the thought of the bakery. “Yes. I can already taste their apple tarts, eclairs … oh my God, if we luck out they’ll still have some beignets.”