How could he ask that?
“Richard, what are you thinking?
Do you want to get rid
of this baby?
Of me?”
He pauses.
In that moment,
I don’t breathe.
I look him in the eye.
All this time we’ve
been doing it,
doesn’t he know
what could
happen?
What could he be
thinking?
That I’d walk away
and do this
alone?
Again?
I’m about to look away.
When he says,
“No.
No, Millie.
No.”
He takes hold of my two shoulders,
pulls me to his chest.
“I want to do the right thing.”
He kisses my forehead.
He says, “Do we need to talk
to my mother?
Find out when you’re
going to have this baby?
And make plans.”
Oh, Richard.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.