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"You're what?" her mom hisses

"Pregnant," Stephanie says "Got knocked up in a one-night stand"

I cough even more, completely stunned how different this conversation is frohter Stephanie said she'd becoet a reaction from her parents

"Jesus Christ," her ine the expression on her face as if she just s shit

Stephanie doesn't respond but just patiently waits, and I know that this conversation is probably par for the course

Finally, her ain, and her voice is low as if she's afraid of being overheard "I'"

I've quit coughing by this point, but I'ain stunned by such self-interest

Stephanie replies to her mother blandly "Don't worry, Maris You don't have to tell anyone"

"Well, okay," she says hesitantly, and I can't help myself

"Fucking hell," Ito the phone

Her mother's voice is sharp "Is someone on the phone with us?"

"My baby daddy," Stephanie says, and now I know she's just driving the knife in deep, having given up all hope that her parents ht actually be happy or supportive

"This should be a private matter," her mother snaps at her

"Okay," Stephanie says easily as she looks aton the phone but tells her mom, "I've taken us off speakerphone It's just you and me"

Stephanie raises a finger to her lips and indicates for me be quiet for the rest of the call I'll try, but I knoon't be easy

"What do you expect out of Michael and me?" Maris Frazier asks, and that breaks the last straw of hope that I had that perhaps Stephanie was exaggerating about her parents and their inability to care about their child

"Nothing, Maris," Stephanie says, and her voice is quite pleasant "You and Michael have nothing to worry about I just wanted to let you know, as this brings about soht be pretty busy Contact could be sporadic"

The relief in her"Well, okay thenthat's good And thank you for letting us know That was kind of you so we didn't worry"

"Sure thing," Stephanie says easily, and I just listen, bewildered and angry over this exchange

"I've got to go," her ot an appointment I'm late for"

"Okay Talk soon," Stephanie replies breezily, and I know that's a lie too There's no way in hell Stephanie ant nancy

"Bye-bye," her mom says, and the phone disconnects

Running a hand through her hair, Stephanie lets out a deep breath of relief Staring down at the phone, she says, "And that, ladies and gentlemen, was the freak show that I call my mother"

"I can't even, Stephy," I mutter as I take the phone out of her hands and pull her into my arms As I rest my chin on top of her head, she circles her arms around my waist and we just sit in silence for a s you told me about them, but I just couldn't comprehend it How she could be soso"

"Cold?"

"Yes"

"Distant?"

"Definitely"

"Assholish?"

"One hundred percent," I agree, and we both laugh

Because honestlywhat else can we do about it?

Chapter 16

Stephanie

Pulling open the door to The Grind, a coffee shop not far froet distracted, though, by the eclectic decor, a hodgepodge of different styles that so at a s a coffee She locks eyes with er to her as I walk to the counter to order a tea

After I geton the hot tea as I walk She greets ht smile and nods at the empty chair "Glad you could come"