A Convenient Proposal by C.J. Carmichael

Author:C.J. Carmichael
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2002-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

“COME ON, Sharon. What’s gonna happen to them?” asked the new man, named Brian.

Billy sat on the floor, next to the almost closed bedroom door. Light from the hall fell in a long, narrow line then traveled up the wall. By sticking out his arm, he divided the line in two.

He could hear his mom’s new friend as clearly as if he were watching a show on TV. Billy didn’t like him. Not his eyes, which reminded Billy of the hyenas in The Lion King. And not his carefully friendly voice, which was as fake as the sweetness they put in medicine to pretend it tasted good.

Most of all, Billy hated Brian’s hands and the way they were always touching him: messing his hair, clasping him on the back, punching him in the arm. There was something very cold about those touches.

It was cold on the floor, too. Billy had given up on the bed. Mandy had stolen all the covers. Plus, she’d peed in her pajamas again. His mom had forgotten to use those special diapers that Kelly called “pull-ups” so Mandy wouldn’t feel like a baby for using them.

“Well, one of the kids could get sick or the house could go up in flames or—I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem like a good idea.” His mom was answering Brian’s question.

“Don’t be stupid. There isn’t going to be any fire. The kids are sleeping, right? And they’ll still be sleeping when you get home in a few hours. Nothing to worry about.”

There were some noises, a few footsteps, a sound like clothing being rustled. His mother laughed. “Brian! I thought you wanted to go out.”

“Can I help that your ass looks so good in those jeans?” More rustling. “Hey, what’s this? Gaining a little weight?” There was a long quiet moment. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

“Don’t be crazy.” Gosh, his mom sounded mad. “I’ve had two kids, remember. You can’t expect me to be as thin as a girl who’s never had a baby.”

“Hey, take it easy. I didn’t mean anything by it. Just wanted to be sure… Come on, let’s go get a beer. We can do a little dancing. I’ll make it all up to you.”

No talking for a moment, then his mother again. “Let me check on them.”

Billy scurried back to bed. Yikes! There was the wet spot. He shifted to the very edge of the mattress. Mandy made a little mouse noise and turned onto her tummy.

The door opened, and the band of light grew fatter and fatter. His mother’s shape was just a dark shadow in the middle of the golden glow. No sign of Brian.

“Billy?”

“Yeah?”

“Is Amanda sleeping?”

“Yes, but—”

“Mommy’s going out. Okay, Billy? Not for long and not very far away.”

He couldn’t believe she would listen to that Brian. She’d never left them alone before. And it was night! “Is Aunt Carrie here?”

“No, but she’ll probably be home real soon. You’ll be okay. Just be a good boy for your momma and go back to sleep.

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