“Have you been given any information?” I ask the girls. “Just that we have to eat breakfast and clean up, then we’ll get our first clue.” I nod. “Then we better do what your dad tells us, right?” I nod, hoping they’ll figure it out. The girls nod vigorously. As Derek
The girls begin to giggle at my mouth hanging open. They must think that soaking the two of us was something good because the laughter doesn’t stop. I understand that kids make mistakes, but this is honestly not what I need right now. I’m pregnant with baby hormones swimming through me. Not
He lets me take over. “Now that the dishes are clean, can you think of a place where no is truly mean?” The two girls talk to each other, trying to put the rhymes together. If Derek hadn’t told me the answer, I don’t know if I would have guessed it correctly. “Hint!” Bea asks.
I’ve avoided Derek and the girls for a few days. I’ve been a complete mess, but still, I refuse to give any information to my boss. He’s only approached me once, and I made excuses for needing to leave the room. Since then, I’ve worked from home for a few days just so I can de-stress from ev
“Well, sure, you should be mad.” “Ever since I left, I just feel like I’m being stared at with an intensity that never hit me before. It’s like they know I’m pregnant!” Annie snorts. “I don’t think men are that smart, honestly.” “Do you think if you sat in a room with Ryan, h
Well, it’s happened. “Esme, please come into my office for a quick conversation.” I can’t avoid him any longer. Part of me is relieved that I don’t have to keep running around acting like I’m not ignoring him. The other part of me is painfully nervous for what he might say. I
Now, it’s my turn to be confused. “That would have been silly. I wasn’t feeling well, but I didn’t want to leave in the middle of a busy day.” “Yet the papers were never sent away, and we’re now behind on the project with Max?” What is he looking for here? “I’m sorry about th
“Okay, do you have your receipts for those purchases?” Daniel asks, looking up from a pile of papers on my kitchen table to look at me. I look down, shuffling through the different stapled packets. “It should be here somewhere.” “Then we’ll put that with this information here and inc
I decide to call Detective Mattison, even though it’s a Saturday. I haven’t heard anything still, and now I’m starting to grow more curious and annoyed. “Detective Mattison,” he greets. “Hi, detective, this is Esme Price, the woman who’s divorce and restraining order cases came across your desk
Bea’s party ends up being a nice time. I chat with multiple other adults at the event, mostly the coworkers, and meet the kids running around. The kids sing Happy Birthday to Bea, and she blows out the candles to her pink cake. The presents are also super cute, ranging from stuffed animals to chil
“Me, too.” I look back at Derek, then at his daughter again. “You know what? Your dad has your gift from me. You want to open it now so none of the other kids get jealous?” Bea’s face lights up, and she picks up on my silliness. “Can I, Daddy?” He hands back the bag. “Your birthday, baby. What
“Oh, like drugs,” I tease. “You caught me. Setting up for kid’s birthday party is like crack. I don’t let others watch me, and it gives me the same type of high.” I can’t stop myself from snorting a laugh out. “Didn’t realize how much I missed that.” I’m still smiling, though confused by wha
Bea’s birthday party is happening at the local park of the town. They’ve cornered off a gazebo, with multiple picnic tables under the roof of the area. Presents sit stacked on two of them, taller than any of the kids. Derek and Tris are at the table with the cake and snacks. “Miss Esme!” Tris cr
“This is Esme,” I speak robotically, getting ready for whatever I need to be doing. **** The end of the day finally comes, and I grab everything that I can bring home with me. I want to catch up with everything and put my feet up. Even in these flats, my swelling is still a problem. Not only t
Monday morning, I awake to texts and phone calls all from Ryan. I’d blocked his number, but each message comes from another phone, totaling four different possible burner phones. “Why?” I ask the ceiling as though it’ll answer me. Today I’ll be going back to the office. I’ve grown stir crazy in
This can’t be good for the baby. Next thing I know, I hear ringing in my head. My eyes are super weak, and it’s difficult to crack them open. Well then. I guess I was able sleep after all. It’s bright in the room, and I can tell it’s late morning already. My tired eyes look around, finding my ph
I fall to a thunk on the ground, my hip and butt taking the brunt from falling out of my bed. My eyes are still mostly closed, but I know what’s going on. The nightmares are here once again. I know the cold sweat and the feeling of being clammy. And it seems like it’s all falling back to one thing