"I'm leaving him tomorrow." It just came out of my mouth.
Rick was still not back in the room when I got back and soon they were sending me out with a card for a doctor and a bunch of dirty looks.
I found Rick on his cell phone when I walked outside. He got off really quick and walked toward me. "What did they say?"
"Food poisoning. I have to let it run its course."
He grabbed my arm and helped me into the truck. I smiled, but was shaking so bad that he had to have noticed. "Did they give you medicine?"
This was my moment. A light bulb flashed in my head and I knew exactly how to go through his truck. I leaned down in my seat and pretended to cry in pain. "Oh, God, they said I could take pain medication and stomach medicine. Just drive to the pharmacy."
He patted my leg and drove us straight there. When he parked I pretended that I couldn't move. "I don't think I can walk in there. Please can you go for me?"
He hesitated, but climbed out of the truck and promised to be fast. I watched him walk in that store and ripped through that truck. It didn't take me long to find his stash under the seat. Shelby had been right. Every single paper had my name on it. The one thing that caught my eye was a bunch of envelopes postmarked from my father. The weird thing was that they were addressed to a post office box that I didn't recognize. I grabbed one and opened it as I kept looking out for Rick.
Amy, I've sent you over ten letters and I realize that you don't want to talk to me, but I have something important that I need to give you. Please contact me as soon as possible.
Love, Dad.
I tucked the letter back in the envelope and opened the next one.
Amy, after meeting with Rick and hearing how you feel about the money, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me someday. I know I wasn't always the best parent, but I do love you.
Dad.
What money?
The date on the postmark was five years ago. That was before I even had the salon. It made no sense. I'd never gotten money or even talked to my father. Before I could search any further I saw Rick walking toward the door. I tucked everything back the way it was and crunched up in a ball.
I don't know why he kept the letters, but I did know that my dad had been reaching out to me the whole time.
When Rick got back in the vehicle, we started on our way home and seemed concerned. He helped me get in the house, and even into bed. I waited until he went to sleep, to go in the bathroom and text Conner. Of course I had a million messages.
What is going on. He isn't at work.-c
You need to call me, I'm freaking out.-c
Amy please call me.-c
I'm ready to call the police. Call me.-c
I shook my head and text him back. Although, I couldn't exactly text the truth.
I went to the hospital. I'm home and fine, but Rick stayed home from work. I will call you tomorrow. I promise I'm okay. I love you. -A
Damn, you had me so scared. Are you alright?-c
Yes. I'll be fine.-a
I love you, darlin. If you need me you call.-C
I will.-a
I sat in the bathroom and started to cry. I wanted to be with Conner and I wanted my baby, but I really couldn't see him wanting it too. I was now this package deal and I knew that it could be a deal breaker.
I got up the next morning and got myself ready for work like normal. Rick woke up and made me breakfast. "Are you sure that you want to work all day?"
I finished my food and washed my plate. "It's too close to Christmas for me to call out of work. My clients would never forgive me." I leaned over and kissed the top of his head, to avoid having to kiss his mouth.
My drive to work was filled with more anxiety. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, like some crazy lunatic. As if I didn't have enough added to my plate, but now a baby. All I knew is that I had to move out of my house, in the next couple of days.
I called Rick to tell him I was working late and Conner met me to drive out to see my father. I should have called to tell him I was coming, but I just wanted to get it over with and not be rejected by him.
Being in the truck with Conner should have made me feel happy, but all I could think about was the baby I was carrying. When he found out about it, he was going to drop me like an old hat. I felt so sad.
We pulled up at the hardware store and noticed that it looked different. When we went inside I realized why. The guy at the register smiled and greeted us. "Hey folks, can I help you find something?"
"I'm looking for my father, Joe Martin."
"Wow, I haven't heard that name in a long time. Joe sold this place a little over five years ago. Last I heard he was still living in the same place though."
"Okay, thank you."
I'd explained to Conner what I found in the truck and when he heard what the guy at the hardware said, he wasn't too happy. "You know how this is lookin' right?"