Secret Baby

Chapter 2

I woke up at eight to hear Mackenzie singing and playing in her crib. I checked my phone as I walked into her room. Sarah had sent me a text at seven when she got to work; Update: I changed and fed her at six before I left. She ate well, no fever, but you’re running low on food. I sent her a text thanking her for her help and got up for the day.

I picked out Kenzie’s outfit for the day. I picked her up, hugged her, and kissed her. “Good morning, sunshine.”

“Momma…” She cooed.

“Let’s get you ready for the day,” I said to her as I changed her diaper and put her outfit on. I brushed her curly light brown hair and put a bow in her hair. “You look so pretty.”

“Pretty. Pretty.” She repeated.

“We’re going to go to the park and then to the store to get some snacks for you,” I explained as we started the door. She smiled and clapped her hands in the sunshine. It was a lovely day out, so I put her in her carriage to walk to the playground.

She loves the slide, but the swings are her favorite. I watched her try to climb up the stairs, and just before she got frustrated, I helped her up, going down the slide with her on my lap. She has gotten better at walking, but now that she has begun climbing more, my heart is constantly in my throat. Watching her grow, explore, and learn in the past two years has been an excellent experience for me.

After the park, I brought her home, gave her lunch, and put her down for her afternoon nap. While she napped, so did I. I have to work tonight from six to two, so I took advantage of naptime.

I woke up to her fussing. I changed her diaper, fixed her hair, then buckled her into her car seat to go to the store. At the store, I set her up into the chair and began down the aisles. Once in a while, I would give her something to play with as we wandered the aisles. “Momma. Look.” Kenzie smiled, pointing to a box of baby crackers.

“Do you want your crackers?” I asked, taking the box off the shelf.

“Yes. Peas.” I handed her the box of crackers to hold. She smiled as she turned the cracker box over as we continued down the aisle. As we entered the produce aisle, she began chanting, “Nana! Nana!” I looked around and found the bananas that she was pointing at; I put a bunch of bananas in our cart and continued shopping.

As I went to grab some Brussels sprouts, I bumped into a man who had come up beside me. “Sorry,” I said, dropping the bag of sprouts into the cart.

“We keep bumping into each other.” Ryan’s voice answered. “She looks like you.” He said, looking at Kenzie.

“I would hope so,” I answered, continuing on our way. I had no interest in talking to him. I know it’s selfish, but I don’t want to chance to get hurt or have my daughter hurt.

“Mia, please. I just want to talk.” He called, walking behind me. “I do miss you. Come on, let me get you a drink or something.”

“I have priorities. Hooking up with a man like you isn’t one of them.” I informed him. “Despite what you have heard around town, I’m not like that. My daughter is first and foremost on my list of people who I spend my time with.” I proceeded to the checkout line, with him walking behind me.

“How old is she?”

“Why do you care?” I asked, looking up from the cart as I began loading the groceries onto the conveyor belt.

“Just trying to make conversation. Your daughter is beautiful. Hey sweety.” He said, waving at Kenzie, who covered her eyes with a smile. Her smile has always got me since she was born because she has her father’s smile. As I looked at him playing peek-a-boo with her, I wondered if he’ll notice. A piece of me wonders if he’ll realize he’s interacting with his daughter right now.

“Baby, momma needs your crackers. I’ll give you one in the car, okay?” I tell her as I take the box of crackers from her to hand to the cashier.

“Cacker, cacker.” She starts yelling, and tears start rolling down as her tantrum starts.

I let out a loud sigh as I paid for our groceries. “Can I get the box back, please?” I asked the bagger. He hands it to me, and I pass the box to Kenzie. She stopped yelling and gave a little sob with a lip quiver as we headed out of the store.

Before loading my groceries into the trunk, I buckled her into her seat, started my car and A/C. I handed Kenzie a cracker from her box before taking it back. Luckily, this was enough to avoid a total meltdown. As I closed the trunk, Ryan came over to my car carrying a bag of groceries.

“I was hoping I would catch you.” He smiled. “Did I do something wrong? You seem really upset with me.”

“You have no clue, do you? You could have reached out to me, but you didn’t. I was waiting for you.” I was fighting back angry tears just talking to him. “I thought we had something, but I was naive. Just forget it.”

“Mia, when I heard from my mother, they told me all the town gossip. Including you seeing so many guys that you didn’t know whose child you were carrying.”

“I know who my daughter’s father is. I chose not to tell anyone because he doesn’t need to be bothered. I’ve been doing fine on my own without his help. He doesn’t need to be burdened with my decision to keep her.” I snapped. I pushed past him to my driver’s door.

“Mia, please. How old is she?”

“Ask your mother since she knows so much.” I closed my door and put my car in drive. How could he, of all people, believe the lies? Didn’t he put the pieces together beforehand to know I was carrying his child but didn’t get to tell him?

I got home, set her up in the living room with her toys, then went out to get my groceries. I was bringing in another arm full of bags when a black sedan pulled up in front of my house. Great more f*****g visitors. I went inside, set my bags down, doubled checked on Kenzie before going back out to get the rest of my groceries.

“No one’s here to help you?” Ryan asked, walking up to my walkway with my groceries in his arms.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you stocking me?” I shot.

“Looked like you had your hands full, and clearly we need to talk. I hate seeing you angry with me, and I miss you. I don’t care about the rumors; I know how much fun you were; I want that again.” He explained.

“Oh, so you just want a booty call? Sorry, I stopped those after I had my daughter. The rumors are just rumors. I missed you for a bit, but I moved on.”

“What about her dad? Where’s he at?”

“Who knows. Her father left town. He doesn’t know about her, and I’m okay with that. My choice, my life. When she’s older, I’ll tell her everything.”

“They say even your parents don’t know.”

“Only I know his identity.”

“Why are you keeping it a secret?”

“Can I have my groceries, please?”

“I’ll bring them in.”

“I don’t want you in my house. I’ve done fine without a man, and I don’t need one now.” I protested. He just shook his head with a smile and continued up my walk way past me.

Inside, he set the groceries down in the kitchen. I watched him as he turned around to face me. “Can I take you out for a drink and talk?”

“I work five nights a week, and I have a daughter. I don’t get the luxury to go out for drinks.”

“You were never so bitter; her father really did a number on you.”

“Realizing that someone you’re in love with didn’t share the same feelings hurt like hell. Then the damn rumors started because I wouldn’t tell anyone who her father was. I marked on her birth certificate, father unknown to keep his identity a secret. I don’t want him to have any claims to my child. He made a choice not to be with me, so I’m keeping it that way.”

“Not even his last name?”

“If I did that, then he could claim her as his. She has my last name.”

“How about we just sit and chat here? I want to catch up. I’m sorry to hear about her father breaking your heart. You deserve better than that.”

“I do, but it is what it is.”

“Momma!” Kenzie called, wobbling into the kitchen with her doll and rubbing her eyes.

“Are you tired, honey?” I asked, picking her up. She nodded, laying her head on my shoulder. “Okay, I’ll get you some water, and you can take your nap. When you wake up, Aunty will be here.”

Kenzie lifted her head with a smile. She grabbed my cheeks with both hands and squished them together. I handed her a sippy cup of water, which she took and began drinking happily. I brought her into her room and checked her diaper before laying her in her crib. I gave her a kiss and covered her with a blanket.

When I walked back into the kitchen, Ryan was putting my groceries away. He turned around with a smile. “I figured you could use a hand.”

“I told you I don’t need or want any help from you. I’ve been doing fine all this time. Why stop now?”

“Just because some asshole just up and left you doesn’t mean you need to hate all men. I’m just trying to be nice and help you. We used to enjoy each other’s company in the past.”

“Key word, the past. No matter how nice you are and how persistent you are, I’m not interested in your companionship. The last guy I slept with gave me a child then split. Sorry if I’m not interested in jumping into bed with you.” I said coldly. I really wanted him to leave, but he sat down in a chair just looking at me.

“How old is your daughter?”

“It’s none of your concern.” I wanted him to go back to where ever he has been for the last three years. Away from me, and far away from Makenzie.

“Why won’t you answer my question?”

“Because my daughter is none of your business. Can you please just leave?” I asked. “I need to start getting ready for work.”

“I’ll talk to you later then.” He replied, standing up to walk to the door. When I watched his car drive away, I let out a sigh. I forgot how relentless he is when he’s chasing me.

All through high school, he would pursue me and seduce me. He was older than me, and when we were little, our dads were good friends. When his father died, his mother took over. She has his daddy’s money and control of this town in the sense of a socialite. We would see each other, sneak around on the outskirts of town. He once told me that he would take me away and marry me when he returned from the navy. I believed him. I guess that’s why him never calling me hurt so badly. I contemplated not having Kenzie, but the moment I felt her kick, I knew she was meant to be, so I kept her, vowing to keep her away from his vial witch of a mother.

****************************************

Two hours later, Sarah came in. “Hey girl, you won’t believe who I heard is back in town.” She stated as she closed the door.

“Ryan Miller,” I replied, coming out of my room.

“You heard?”

“Oh, I saw, he was at the bar last night, then followed me home from the grocery store. Keeps asking me how old Kenzie is.”

“Wow. Do you think he suspects?”

“Don’t know. He keeps asking to get together and catch up.” I snorted. “Sounds like he’s looking to just get lucky, and I’m not doing that again.”

“Did you tell him?”

“Sarah, if that man finds out the truth, then I kept it quiet for nothing. I single handily earned the reputation of being a slut, because I told people I didn’t know her father’s identity. I won’t even tell my parents. Why would I just tell him? So, I have to worry about his mother trying to get custody? So, I have to wonder if he’ll be a man and step up? Thanks, but I’m good. You and my parents have helped for almost two years now. I’m managing just fine.” I explained truthfully. Sarah and I have had this conversation many times since I found out I was pregnant. Since middle school, she’s been my best friend and the only one who knew about Ryan and me sneaking around together.

“I heard he’s engaged.” Sarah sighed. “Which makes me wonder why he’s bothering you.”

“Good for him. Maybe he’ll leave after his wedding.” The news kind of hurt a little, but he left me years ago. “I have to go to work. Same update as last night. I appreciate you taking her two nights in a row.”

“I love spending time with my cuddle bug.” Sarah smiled. “Next Friday, I have a date.”

“I know. My mom said she’ll take her for you since you’re covering tonight for her.” I replied as I walked out the door.

Like last night at work, we were busy, but I wanted to make sure I have next Saturday off. I knocked on Chris’ door before entering. “Hey, Mia. Everything okay?” He asked, looking up from his computer. Chris is a man in his forties, with pale blonde hair and brown eyes.

“Just wanted to make sure you remembered I requested next Saturday off. It’s Kenzie’s birthday, and I want to spend the whole weekend with her.”

“You're all set, and I will be stopping by the party. Do you need anything for her?”

“Nothing specific. Some people are doing clothes, which she’s now almost in a 2T. She is growing like a weed.”

“She’s climbing now, right?”

“Wobblily, but yes.”

“I’ll get her some shoes. Kids always need shoes.” He laughed.

“Sounds good.” I left his office and began pulling the chairs off the tables and lighting the candles on them. I was just about finished when Paul walked in.

“Hey, momma. You ready for tonight?” He greeted me on his way in.

“As ready as I’m going to be, flip the sign, and let’s go.”

“How’s the party planning coming?” He asked as he flipped the open sign.

“Great. I decided to do the princess theme, and my mom is making Kenzie a special dress. Sarah and I have the decorations, and I ordered the cake today.” I said excitedly.

“Well, my family will be there.” Paul smiled. Paul’s in his late thirties, with sandy blonde hair and brown eyes. His wife just had baby number three last year, but they have become good friends to me over the past year and a half since I began waitressing here.

“Awesome. Sarah wants me to get a bouncy house for the other kids, and I’m tempted. Plus, the pool will be open.” I was thankful my dad suggested we host the party at their house for the pool. In the July heat, we’re all going to want to cool off at some point.

By seven, every table was packed, and the bar was moving drinks as fast as the kitchen was moving food. I swung from one table to the next before going to the kitchen and bar. It was a busy night, even more than usual. As I cleaned off a table, a new group of people sat down.

“Mia, can we get the darts?” Bernie called out. I brought Bernie the darts and a glass of beer with a smile. “Sweetheart, you know me so well. When will you marry me?”

“Carol won’t like sharing you with me.” I teased back.

“Don’t worry about her. She’ll come around.” He barked out a laugh.

I rolled my eyes and continued making my rounds. “Table six has new customers,” Paul called as he slid a beer down the bar. I nodded as I poured a few drinks for other tables. I’m glad Paul keeps an eye on the floor on nights like this while running my rounds.

I delivered the drinks, then walked over to table six, only to find Ryan there with a woman and two others. “What can I get you guys?” I asked with a smile. Ryan looked up and ordered for the table. “I’ll be right back with those drinks,” I replied as I walked away. I grabbed the drinks and placed their food order in with the kitchen. I brought the glasses back to table six.

“Sweetheart, is it true you're taking next weekend off?” Bernie called from the stool near the dart board.

“Sure is,” I called back as I made my way back to the bar.

“Why? Do you not love me anymore?” Bernie asked. I grabbed him a beer and brought it to him. I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek with a wink.

“Nothing against you, but my baby deserves a weekend with her momma.”

The kitchen bell rang, telling me an order of food was ready. I went back to the kitchen to grab the orders. I walked out with a full tray in each hand. I danced through the crowd to table three then to table six. I skillfully served the food without incident, then went to the bar to fill drinks.

At the bar, Ryan had followed me over. “I will bring your drinks over if you wait a minute,” I told him.

“I want to talk to you.”

“We’re a bit busy tonight. Lots of out-of-towners.” I commented, placing another glass of beer on my tray. “Besides, I’ve heard you’re engaged, so why do you keep stalking me?”

“My mother is hosting an engagement party for me tomorrow, so all these out-of-towners are here for that. I’m not stalking you; I’m trying to talk to you like an adult.” He explained.

I rolled my eyes as I loaded the last two glasses of wine onto my tray. “Following me to my house and inviting yourself in after I said you’re not welcome isn’t stalking? We have nothing to talk about; you’re getting married, and I’m a mom. What we had in the past is in the past, now please let it go.” I lifted my tray up and walked away from the bar. The nerve of this man is obscene.

I delivered the drinks as usual and handed Bernie another beer with a smile. He slipped a $5 bill into my apron pocket with a wink. “Get your baby an ice cream on me.” He whispered. I nodded and thanked him before walking away.

At the bar, I began filling more drinks. “That man really followed you home?” Paul asked.

“From the grocery store, yes. Makes no sense to me. He’s engaged and celebrating the engagement. Why bother me?” I wondered out loud.

“I think you know why… I’m no genius, but I think I just realized your secret. You know who Kenzie’s dad is, but you have a reason for keeping it quiet.” Paul whispered in my ear.

I almost dropped the beer I was opening. “What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to recover.

“He has her smile. I’ve watched your daughter grow up. I’m not blind. Has he seen her?”

“At the grocery store today. He asked how old she was, and I dodged the question. He followed us home, brought my groceries into my house after I told him to leave. I was under the impression he just wanted to get laid, but if he’s engaged, I was wrong.” I replied. Panic began to set in. Could Ryan be after my daughter now? Am I in danger of having to go to court for her after all this time?

“If he gives you trouble, you know all you have to do is call,” Paul replied, going back to the drinks. I nodded, picked up my tray, and moved around the sitting area some more. I did my best to push my fears aside as I continued to work.

By closing time, everyone had dispersed for the night. I was thankful that we could close up an hour early tonight, which meant I would be getting more sleep. Paul walked me to my car like he always does before leaving. I got home, showered, and passed out in my bed by two.