Chapter Twenty: Sophia

“Hi sweetie, I just got to your parent’s house. I got off a little early so I made my way over here.”

I leave a message for Thomas and look at my watch. It’s a little past four. He won’t be to his parent’s house until a bit after five, but I wasn’t feeling going all the way back to our apartment after work. I like the serenity of this side of town. Everyone has huge houses with security gates so there’s not a ton of traffic.

I feel like a whale. I’m nearing the end of my eighth month and my belly has really popped. I get tired easily and love just sitting with my swollen feet up. Thomas has been so great for these past couple months. We’re really getting our relationship on track and I’m so happy about that.

I’m going to have the baby and the man.

We are dog sitting tonight for his parents while they go check out campers and Thomas Sr. convinced her to go to a cabin in the woods. Thomas said she’s not happy about it, but she’s trying to keep him happy in hopes he’ll decide to keep the money.

“Thomas and I will be happy to come over and help you with the dogs,” I hear myself saying. Why? I don’t know. I don’t feel comfortable at his parent’s house and I’m the size of their couch. I just want to feel like I’m making an effort with his parents. Last month he went with me to my mother’s house and he was amazing. She ate it up loving having him there. They both doted on me and brought me everything I could possibly need. She even offered to come and stay with me when I come home from the hospital.

I’m stoked to have that time to bond with my mother. I think it will be good to have her around when Thomas goes back to work. I don’t know what I’m doing with a newborn. At least for the first couple weeks having someone around who does, will help me cope.

I walk into the kitchen and see that there’s a plate of fruit and some cookies left over from something. I take a cookie and sit at the kitchen table. Now when I sit down it’s the best feeling in the world.

I sit for a while before Mrs. Henry comes into the kitchen with her dogs. She’s carrying a wine glass which isn’t unusual, but I notice the way she’s walking is kind of clumsy.

“Hello, how are you today?” I ask not getting up but thinking I have a good reason.

“Oh, it’s you,” the words slur out and I realize she’s been drinking more than just one glass of wine.

“Um, yes. Sorry, I got here before Thomas, I got out of work early.” I rub my belly and wait for her response. She’s not throwing out the friendliest vibes.

“Here’s the thing missy. I have pictures of you with another man. Let me show you.” She slurs some more. I watch as she tries to do something on her phone and closes one eye to see it.

Finally, she thrusts the phone at me and downs the rest of the wine in her glass. She makes her way over to the refrigerator and pulls out a bottle.

I look at the pictures and see it’s me and George. I’m hugging him outside The Bistro and he’s kissing the top of my head. We do that when we part just because. She flips and another picture shows us eating ice cream together on a bench. His arm is around me and we’re smiling. It’s actually a nice picture.

“Oh no, this is George. He’s very gay.” I smile and hand the phone back thinking that should explain it. “Thomas actually likes George.”

That last part isn’t a lie, but it’s not the full truth. I know Thomas would like George, but they still haven’t met.

“I don’t believe you, Sophia. Here’s the thing. You’re bar trash. My son knocked you up.” She pours more wine into her glass.

My chest tightens as she insults me and I anticipate what she could possibly say next.

“I know he thinks he loves you and you’re going to get married and be happy. The thing is he doesn’t love you. I know my son better than you. You don’t know shit.”

She’s getting angrier and I just don’t understand where all the aggression is coming from. I honestly thought she liked me. I tell myself this is the alcohol talking.

“The thing is, he always listens to mommy. Once this baby is out and we have his father’s money nailed down you’re gone.”

“I’m her mother, there’s no way I’m going anywhere,” I finally find my voice and start to defend myself against this unprovoked attack.

“We’ll find you unfit. I’ll have my grandchild taken away from you so fast. When you have a lot of money, you can do that.”

I want to tell her I have a lot of money and I’ll fight you. I want to say your son paid me so much money and I’m getting more once she’s here. I want to say all that and more but the bile rising in the back of my throat won’t let me. I feel like all the walls are closing in and I have to get out of this house.

I’ve never been spoken too like this before. I don’t know what to do. I do know she’s not getting my baby ever. If I have to go into hiding to have Aurora, this type of toxic energy will never be around her.

I stand and make my way to the door. She doesn’t say anything else. I just have to get to my car and then I’ll go to mom’s house. I don’t feel safe here. I’ll text Thomas when I’ve dealt with my feelings about this.

If I get to mom’s then this will all be okay. I repeat this to myself as I drive to the apartment to get a few things. My anxiety is through the roof for some reason. I guess because I’m acting impulsively. My body and brain aren’t really sure how to react to this version of me.