Ben didn’t expect to see Charlene again. Not that it mattered much anyway, because work consumed his whole life. When he wasn’t sleeping, he was preoccupied with running the restaurant. All he and Val ever talked about was Valben. They really hadn’t had much of a marriage at all. It was more like a business partnership. Ben told himself that when things at the restaurant slowed down he and Val would go on their honeymoon. Maybe then they could get to know each other.
The lunch crowd had just come in and Ben was running around the kitchen frantically, trying to get everyone served at the same time. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Keri, one of the employees at the bookstore, come in through the swinging doors.
“Hey Ben,” she shouted over the din, “There’s someone in the book shop who wants to see you.”
“Tell them to wait,” he shouted back.
“She said she only has about fifteen minutes. Her husband’s going to be picking her up soon.”
He was a mess but there was nothing he could do about it now. He left the kitchen, went into the dining area, and then entered the bookstore.
Charlene was browsing the romance novel section. She was wearing the same coat and boots she had on the last time. She was also toting a diaper bag and a baby carriage.
“Oh Ben,” Charlene said, giving him a hug. “I missed you so much! I tried to get here sooner but I didn’t have a chance.”
“That’s all right,” Ben replied. “I’ve been busy anyway. So…who is this with you?”
Charlene chuckled and turned the carriage around. A baby, about four months old, with wispy blond hair and blue eyes lay placidly, sucking her thumb.
“This is Lauren Roberta.”
“So…you work as a nanny now?”
Charlene frowned.
“I thought you had a right to know.”
“Know what?”
“I was supposed to have an abortion, but I didn’t. I told my parents that I would marry Johnny if they let me keep the baby and they thought that was a good idea. Johnny and I went to city hall and got married the day after I left the hospital. About three weeks later, I told him I was pregnant and he never questioned it. I brought her here because I really wanted you to get to know her.”
“So this is…”
“She’s your baby.”
He looked at the baby. He couldn’t believe it.
“Don’t come around here anymore,” he said.
“What?”
“It’s not a good idea.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Charlene…I’m married now. I don’t need my wife finding out about this.”
“What are you saying? I thought you’d be happy.”
“Am I happy that the only woman I love is married to the biggest asshole in the world and she’s raising my kid with him? No, I’m not. And it doesn’t help that you came in to tell me that. So, go back to being Mrs. Happy Housewife and don’t come in here again.”
Charlene’s mouth dropped open. “I…I guess I’ll leave. If you don’t want me around…”
She turned around and headed for the door.
“One more thing,” Ben said. “Don’t ever tell Lauren anything about me. I don’t care if she’s sixty-eight; I want her to think Johnny is her father. Okay?”
Charlene turned her head around and nodded. Tears were running down her cheeks.
“All right,” she said and left.
Ben leaned on one of the shelves and rubbed his head. He felt like he had been punched in the stomach.
“Everything okay?” Keri asked.
“No,” Ben said. “I don’t feel well. If anyone asks, tell them I’ve went home.”
“Sure,” Keri said. “I hope you feel better tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” Ben said. He walked out the back entrance of the bookstore, not bothering to go back and get his coat. He just wanted to forget that this day even happened.
Chapter 37: October 17
What They Left Behind Page 36
