The Marriage Agreement by Ruth Ann Nordin

Author:Ruth Ann Nordin [Nordin, Ruth Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Parchment & Plume, LLC
Published: 2016-08-06T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

A week later, Laura bit her lower lip as she stood in front of her parents’ house. Elliot squirmed in Laura’s arms, though he didn’t insist she let him down. He must have sensed her unease and decided to be patient for her sake.

Next to her, Amanda offered a sympathetic smile. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

No. No, she wasn’t. This was probably a mistake. Things had ended on such a horrible note the last time she’d seen her mother. She’d only seen her father since then, and she’d told her father that lie about possibly being with child. She was sure that lie wouldn’t make this confrontation with her mother any easier.

“I need to get this over with,” Laura finally decided. “She’s my mother. I can’t avoid her forever.”

With a nod, Amanda knocked on the door.

“Thanks for being here,” Laura said.

“It’s the least I can do after all the times you’ve been there for me,” Amanda replied.

Laura tried to smile, but she didn’t have the strength to do it. Instead, she turned her gaze forward and pressed her hand on Elliot’s back, reminding herself that no matter what came from this conversation, it’d be worth it because she’d still have him.

The doorknob turned. She straightened her back. This was it. The moment of truth.

The door creaked open, but instead of the scowl and reprimand Laura expected, her mother let out a sob and hurried to embrace her.

Shocked, Laura couldn’t respond. She thought for sure her mother would be angry with her. She looked over at Amanda, whose eyes were wide with surprise.

“Come in,” Laura’s mother said, urging her inside. “Your father’s not here. It’s safe to talk.”

Laura stepped into the entryway but waited until Amanda was with her before she led her friend to the parlor. Still unsure of how things had changed so drastically with her mother, she sat on the couch and let Elliot down. Elliot seemed more than happy to start exploring a new environment. Laura hadn’t brought him here before, figuring it was best not to upset her parents since they hadn’t been pleased she’d decided to take care of him to begin with.

“I’ll get some coffee and cookies,” Laura’s mother said as Amanda sat next to her.

While Laura’s mother hurried to the kitchen, Laura turned her gaze to Amanda. “I don’t know who that woman is,” Laura whispered.

Amanda chuckled and gave her a hug. “Don’t question it. Just be glad this isn’t what you were expecting.”

Amanda was right. She really ought to count her blessings on this one.

Her mother returned with a tray of refreshments and set them down. “Help yourself.”

Laura took a cup and noted that her hand was trembling. Though things were going much better than she’d thought possible, she was still nervous.

As Amanda put sugar into her cup of coffee, Elliot pulled himself up the table so he could stand. He then made an attempt to grab a cookie but lost his balance and fell on his behind. The rug beneath him cushioned his fall, and he laughed.

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