Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“Sir… how can I help you?” The nurse asks, looking concerned.
“Ripley Franklin. Where is she?”
“Who are you? Is she expecting you? If you have a seat I can tell you when...” I don’t stay for the rest of her conversation. I storm to the back of the clinic, her annoying ass voice following me as I open and close doors. I vaguely hear her saying something about the police, but I can’t process that right now. Besides what is she going to do, call my father?
I am starting to think I am way off base when I come to the last room and see my angel, crying in a hospital gown, laying on a bed, feet in those metal thingies with a doctor prepping some instruments. My fucking heart sinks in my gut realizing what is happening and my concern for her freezes like it has been doused in liquid nitrogen. “What the fuck are you doing?” I shout walking into the room.
“You cannot be back here, sir. This is a private space and..”
“Get the hell off that table, grab your shit and let's go.”
“Cobi, how did you..” She stops when she sees the murderous look on my face.
“Ma'am, you don’t have to go anywhere with him…we have called the police and…” I turn on the nurse and get in her face.
“Do I look like I give two shits? That woman and that baby inside of her are mine. MINE! And no one is killing my seed. Now Ripley, get your shit.” I pick up her purse and yank her off the table. Scrambling, she grabs her panties and puts them on, chasing me out of the door. I can’t even stop to look at her right now. I know she is behind me however because she will always follow me, even though right now, I am not sure who she is.
“Cobi please let me explain.” She cries when she gets in the car.
“Shut the fuck up. I can’t listen to your voice right now. Hell, I can’t look at you. How could you do this? My legacy. My fucking kid.” My fist hits the steering wheel and she's still sobbing trying to get herself under control. She places her hand on my arm, and I jump, hissing at her. “Don’t touch me.” Bile is forming in my throat. My mind keeps conjuring the images of her on that table and what would have happened if I hadn’t found her in time.
“Cobi, please, look at me. Please. I am so sorry; I was trying to do what was best for you.” She shrinks back in her seat when I look at her like she is dead to me. She might as well be. “I-I what do you want me to do?”
“Shut up so I can try to find a way to still love you,” I tell her my voice cracking. It hurt me so fucking much saying it, but it is true. I can’t feel anything right now but rage. Out of the corner of my eye I see her wipe her face and cover her mouth to muffle the sounds.
Pulling into the driveway, I put the car in park and hang my head for a second. I look up and notice both of my parents are home. Shit. I forgot this was one of their joint days off. “Maybe I should go home,” she says quietly. I hear her fumble with the door and my rage amps back up.
“Why, so you can kill my kid tomorrow? I don’t fucking think so, Rip. Get out.” Tears running like Niagara falls litter her shirt as she walks in the house behind me. I can hear my parents laughing before they realize we are walking in the door.
“Cobi what… Ripley, what’s happened?” Mom asks, looking at Ripley’s tortured face.
“Son, what’s going on?” I don’t even know how to voice this right now. How do I tell my parents who have loved this girl and welcomed her into our home that she intended to murder their unborn grandchild today? I can’t. They might never forgive her and then what? So, I shake my head at them both and push her towards the stairs.
“I don’t think…”
“Let it go, my wife. Whatever it is, they will tell us when they are ready for us to know.” I hear my father trying to abate her protests.
Once we are both inside the room, I slam the door and lock it, knowing it is going to get loud. I am still facing the door, hands braced on, my body heaving gasping for air as everything falls on top of me. My head won’t be clear of this vision, and I don’t trust myself to look at her yet. “I think I should go...” She starts saying again adding to the anguish inside of me.