Page 37 (1/2)

Edgar

I gather the pile ofI wanted to do after finally having sex withfro was depleted and I had to coe, I didn’t even have to be here to pay my bills

I take the bundle to the table and begin to sort I roll my eyes at the flyers and loan offers Nope I tear them into tiny pieces and move on An official letter catches my eye Texas Departement of paternity for Betty Lucille Bird? My stoht-hter with Marilyn

Sweat coats htheaded Suddenly her insistence that we have a child nant when she left? Dread rolls over me like a dark storm cloud I never wanted this We were always so careful How did this happen? When? Why wouldn’t she tell ht a

s I pace the tile floor Why now? I just got ether

Oh my God, Efia She doesn’t want kids I have to talk to so this to ht now, Efia is out of the question I grab the phone and call up Addler

“Hey, man, what’s up?”

“Can you coht now?”

“Whoa, you okay?” Addler asks

“You knohat, bro? I’m really not” My voice cracks and I take a deep breath to keep fro my shit over the phone

“Cal home, but I’ll come to your place Give me fifteen minutes,” Addler says

“Thank you”

I hang up and go to the bar in the kitchen Beer isn’t going to fit the bill I pour myself a half a cup of Scotch and continue to pace as I try to make the calculations She’d have to have been at least threewhen she moved out Who does this? Suddenly my life has become a television drama I don’t want to be a father There’s a reason why I opted out I spent sofor others I’ain My hand trembles I may have to

I’h to take care ofinside ofHad she done it on purpose? The thought fills me with horror No, she wouldn’t Would she? At this point, I can’t even defend her I would’ve sworn she’d never leave me with no notice, or pull a Maury onI hear Ad’s truck in the driveway I rush to the door, opening it before he can even knock

“You look totally freaked out What happened?”