Page 64 of Christmas with the Baby Daddy

They did get along and bond.

But neither knew the truth.

Stress knotted my stomach, and I warred with the guilt of keeping my secret so that I couldn’t handle the jazzy carols on the radio. I shut it off, glad that the van had been repaired and dropped off this morning so I could get to this interview. I had to focus on that right now. Not Zach or how terrible I was to have such cold feet about revealing my big secret.

Getting another job wasn’t something I wanted to do, but I was stuck. I had to stay on top of all the old bills and pay off the funerals that were still on my debt load.

I wished I didn’t have to feel like I had to handle everything. That I could take a break. Being able to not be in charge and be on all the time would mean that I’d have a partner, and I was too damn afraid to ask for help or to be alone.

Zach was exactly what I needed. His consideration and sweetness last night hadn’t been part of getting in my pants, but because he cared. He showed me how it could work with a man to back me up. He was here—for now—but he didn’t want to stay. I couldn’t live with myself if I forced him to stay, and I needed the stability of someone who would stick around. So did George.

As soon as my interview was over, I sighed in relief that it had gone as well as it likely could have. It wrapped up just in time for me to head over to Jenny’s kitchen and do another inventory and shopping trip for the next few parties. We had a small party tonight, but I hoped I’d be able to get out at an earlier hour this time. First, I had to handle the prep and whatnot.

My phone rang, and as soon as I sawVernford Elementaryflashing across the top of the screen, I groaned.

“Oh, come on!” I'd jinxed it, telling George to steer clear of that damn bully. Brent must have gone to him and stirred the pot somehow, because I damn well knew this call would announce another fight.

“Hello?” I answered, not expecting Sara’s voice since she had that stomach bug and texted earlier to say good luck on the interview and also that she was home sick.

“Ms. Myer? Ms. Erin called down for assistance from the principal’s office for help in dealing with?—”

“Another fight,” I finished for her, drawling the end of the sentence.

“Correct. If you don’t mind, could you please come and fetch your son?”

I did mind, as a matter of fact, but I knew better than to wish for the impossible, that Brent would magically stop bullying George.

I was well aware of how unlikely the impossible could ever happen.

I was getting hooked on the dream that Zach could stay and be with me, but that wouldn’t happen, either.

Stop all this wishful thinking.

I sighed, hating how cynical I had to be to not be disappointed in life. It was clear I had to settle for rock bottom—stuck in a job I couldn’t move up any further in, without a lover who’d last, and weighed down by the never-ending drama from a bully.

“What else is there to wish for?” I wondered aloud. “Where can I go from here?”

Talking to myself couldn’t be a good sign of my sanity, but I grumbled as I turned in the direction of the school. On the way, I called Tiff.

“Hey, girlfriend.”

“Hi, Tiff,” I replied. “Gonna be a little late, depending on how this goes.”

She groaned. “Another fight at school?”

“Yeah. I guess we’ll have some help from George in the kitchen.”

“Hey, that’s cool. He loves to help. We’ll be there soon.”

He did love to help, and I was so glad that he cared about pitching in. Yet, he belonged in school. He would be off for winter break soon enough. One last class party would be held. They’d do their family program… I cringed.

The family tree.

That had to be what Brent picked on him for. Again.

The irony killed me. Reagan had never come out and told anyone who Brent’s father was, yet I was the one judged for never naming anyone as George’s. I didn’t care who Reagan slept with to get knocked up. It wasn’t my business and I didn’t want it to be my business. But it wasn’t right for her son to taunt mine for not having a father. Maybe Brent could put more family members down in general. George only had me. It was a slim, skinny, branchless tree, but that didn’t matter. No matter how many members of the Francis family lived in town, George had all the love in the world from me.

But what about Zach’s love?