Forgiven by J. B. McGee Read Free Book Online Page B

quickly making my way back to my side. I swing the door open and quickly climb in, turning on the ignition. I glance over my shoulder to pull out of the parking space. I would drive a lot faster if she wasn’t with me, but I know that my driving on a good day already scares her to death. She braces the handle on the passenger side door. “Does Gabriella know?”
    I keep my eyes on the road, thankful that I’m driving and don’t have to make a lot of eye contact with her. “Yes.”
    “How far along is she?”
    “Seven months or so.”
    “And what’s going on with her?”
    “She’s bleeding, apparently a lot.” I can feel royal blue eyes boring into the side of my head. I quickly turn my eyes to my mother and back to the road. “What does that mean, Mom?”
    “Could be several things.”
    “Any of them have a good outcome?” Silence. No answer. I look back over to her. “Mom...”
    She turns towards me. “I’m sorry, son.”
    I shake my head. “I don’t know that the baby is mine.”
    “Oh?” she asks curiously.
    “Yeah, long story that I don’t want to rehash right now. I just feel guilty because up until a few minutes ago, I had hoped this was all a big nightmare that would just go away.”
    She reaches over and rubs my knee, but doesn’t say a word. How do you respond to that? The rest of the car ride is spent in silence, for which I am very grateful.

    I’ve been to this hospital many times, but I’ve never really been to the Labor and Delivery part. We rush in and I immediately go to the desk to get assistance.
    “I’m here for Veronica Johnson.”
    “Yes, she just arrived not too long ago. Are you her husband?”
    I shake my head. “No.”
    “Oh, but you’re the father?”
    Shit. It would look really crappy for me to say I don’t know. I just nod. I can’t say the words. I can’t verbally claim this child. Not yet, at least.
    “Come with me.” She motions for me, but glances towards mom. “Ma’am, we are going to need you to wait here in the lobby until Ms. Johnson is more stable.”
    I look back to mom. “I’ll keep you posted.”
    She quickly gives me a hug. “Bradley, can I do anything for you right now?”
    “No. Thanks, though.”
    She nods and gives a fake, helpless smile as I walk through the double automatic doors. As much as I hate she had to find out like this, I am so relieved and comforted to know she is here. I’m relieved to have this off of my chest.
    A hospital hall has never seemed so long in all of my life. Not that I’ve been in a lot of them. Our family wasn’t just blessed with financial wealth, but also with incredibly healthy genes. I briefly think of Gabby and her family. I guess it’s good that at least one of us has a healthy family history. I realize this is really the first time I’ve thought of her since I left the office. Well aside from Mom asking if she knew about the baby. It makes me feel guilty to know that I’ve been so pre-occupied with another woman, even if Gabby does know about Veronica. This all just feels so wrong.
    The lady who has been helping me since I got here, looks to be in her late sixties. She’s a short, stout, black lady wearing scrubs. She stops and takes me to an area that looks like an emergency room, but more comfortable and cozy. Finally we reach a cubical that has the curtain opened, and I see Veronica asleep in the bed. She is very pale. She has multiple IV’s. It looks like one has some kind of clear fluid going through it, but the other has blood. Damn. She’s lost so much blood she needs a transfusion. She’s also hooked up to another monitor. I hear a steady beating. I am standing here in complete and utter shock. What in the hell has happened to her?
    I turn on my heel to see if I can find someone to give me answers. I almost run into a young nurse. She can’t be much older than Gabby. “Oh, excuse me,” she says. I can see her cheeks blush. I’m used to that reaction. I’m not in the mood for giggly