Page 97 of Adam & Eve

sighed. More baby books.

“How many of these do you expect me to read?” I asked.

I’d read so many I swore my eyes would cross if I had to read another. I didn’t really expect a

response, but I’d hoped for one. Finally, and I was sure with much reluctance on his part, he spared

me a glance. Our eyes met. He didn’t speak or blink. He just stared at me in that penetrating way he

did that made me think he could see right through me.

I frowned. The look made me feel guilty and small, but I was proud of myself for not turning

away under the heat of it. I was able to catch a glimpse of hurt in his eyes. All he wanted was for me

to read the baby books. Maybe I could have done that without being a smart-aleck, right?

Then something clicked. I became irrationally angry. Why was I feeling guilty? I hadn’t done

anything to him. Why was I even contemplating apologizing? Instead, I challenged his stare with one

of my own. He frowned then shook his head with disappointment. He righted himself, and without a

word, he pivoted on the heel of his expensive shoes and walked back toward the kitchen.

I fought the urge to chuck one of the books at the back of his head. Annoyance and anger made

it hard for me to see straight. The sudden urge to tell him to fuck off-- directly to his face propelled

me to my feet. I was ready to fight. As soon as I stood my head swam and the dizziness that followed

made my stomach churn. Quickly I sat back down. I had to close my eyes and swallow hard to keep

from puking. I took deep breaths until I calmed down enough to think rationally.

What we were doing? Acting like two stubborn children wasn’t working. I needed to talk with

Adam like an adult. I didn’t think he would be as dedicated to his silent treatment if he knew how

much it was affecting me. I should have told him the very first day we arrived at this house, but I was

too busy being stubborn. He had the right to be worried about the health of his child. I had the right to

be angry, but not about that.

It was a catch-22. I blinked back tears. Just the thought of crying made me angry. Crying

wasn’t something I was used to. It was then I realized I was going to have to let the past go for now. I

was going to have to let my guard down and have a talk with Adam about the future. The reality of the

situation was I was stuck with him for the next eighteen years.

I was still thinking about the talk I needed to have with Adam later that night in bed. I’d had

ample time to speak with him earlier as he sat across the table from me while we ate dinner, but I

couldn’t figure out a way to start the conversation. Hell, I didn’t even know what I really wanted to