The Heat Seekers

“Too bad my mother’s not,” Kensington blurted out angrily.

Tempest could make out a few tears trickling down Kensington’s left cheek, even in the dim lighting of the bedroom. “Still giving you a difficult time?”

“That’s not even the word for it.” She took her eyes off the baby and gazed at Tempest. There had been no more physical abuse. Tempest was sure of that. Apparently Pauline Sparks had taken their talk to heart but she still lashed out at Kensington with nasty comments from time to time. “She says she can’t sleep because of Sydney’s crying. I try to make her stop.”

Tempest tightened her grip on Kensington’s hand and rubbed the small of her back with her free hand.

“She says the baby’s things take up too much space, and she can barely walk around the apartment. I can’t help it if Sydney needs so much stuff.”

“It’s going to be okay, Kensington,” Tempest said, attempting to sound comforting. “Everything will work itself out.”

“What am I going to do?” Kensington let go of Tempest’s hand and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her long-sleeved T-shirt. “I can’t keep up with my schoolwork. It’s impossible. The baby stays up half the night, and I’m always falling asleep in class. Sometimes I wish—”

“Sometimes you wish what?”

“Sometimes I wish I’d explored other options.”

“Like adoption?” Tempest asked, even though the answer was clear.

“Yes,” Kensington responded sullenly. “Like adoption.”

“We can still arrange that, if you like.”

“Really? It’s not too late?”

“It’s never too late. You never have to feel trapped Kensington. You always have choices.”

“But wouldn’t that make me evil? Giving her up like that?”

“What you would be doing is ensuring Sydney had a stable home and secure future.”

“But to hand her over to a couple of complete strangers like that? I’m not sure I could go through with it.”

“All of the couples are thoroughly screened. Their backgrounds and homes are gone over with a fine-toothed comb.”

“What if the fine-toothed comb misses a few hairs?”

Tempest didn’t have a feasible answer, so she didn’t attempt to give one.

“Seriously, Tempest,” Kensington prodded. “What if they turn out to be maniacs or child beaters or drug addicts on the down-low?”

Tempest diverted her eyes down to Sydney, still sleeping soundly in the crib.

“Can you assure me that wouldn’t happen? Huh? Can you?”

“No, I can’t,” Tempest finally responded. “There are never any guarantees in life, Kensington.”

“Now, it would be different if it were you and Geren.” Tempest was the one who started trembling then. She realized that Janessa was right. She would have to tell Kensington the horrible truth at some point. “I know you guys are going to be the perfect parents once you start having children. Heck, too bad you can’t adopt me.” Kensington chuckled.

That comment took Tempest off guard and left her speechless for a moment.

Kensington noticed that the baby was stirring a little in the bassinet. “Come on, let’s go back out before we wake the baby.”

“We’ll discuss this further later on when we can sit down and have a real heart-to-heart,” Tempest replied.

Kensington smiled at her. “As far as I’m concerned, every conversation we have is a heart-to-heart.”

Tempest returned the smile. “I feel the same way.”