After All by Kristen Proby Page 0,55
it. The one sentence I haven’t been able to admit out loud.
“I think all parents, biological or otherwise, ask themselves that very question every day,” Finn says with a kind smile. “Parenthood is tough. And Gabby’s a joy in my life, but she’s not easy.”
“No.” I sit again and feel tears threaten.
“Have you voiced your concerns to Carter?”
“No way.” I shake my head and pull a pillow into my lap, gripping it tightly in my fist. “I don’t want him to think that I’m second-guessing what we have. It’s just, I worry that I’m not good at this. That I’m not what Gabby and Carter need.”
“I think it’s been a really rough spell, and that things will get better. You need to be honest with Carter. And Gabby, for that matter. The way she’s behaving is absolutely not okay, and it’s extreme, even for her. Carter will take care of it tomorrow. In the meantime, get some sleep.”
“After that text from Jacob’s Ladder, I’ll be sleeping on the couch with a knife so I can cut his dick off if he tries to get anywhere near that little girl.”
“There, now. I think you’re great parent material. He won’t get in here. Gabby didn’t give him the code to the elevator, and unless he’s Spider-Man and can scale skyscrapers, he can’t get up here.”
“Thank God. What is she thinking?”
“She’s not,” he says simply. “That’s the problem. She’s intent on acting out. We’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“I hope so. Thanks for stopping by. I feel better.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’m ten minutes away, even with traffic, so you just call if you need anything else before Carter gets here tomorrow.”
I nod and walk him to the door. Finn surprises me by pulling me in for a strong hug.
“You got this, Nora.”
“Thanks.”
I haven’t seen hide nor hair from Gabby all morning.
Which, if I’m being honest, hasn’t hurt my feelings in the least.
Despite Finn’s encouraging words last night, I slept on the couch. Not just in case anyone tried to get in, but in case Gabby tried to get out.
At this point, I wouldn’t put it past her.
I heard her go to the restroom about an hour ago, but aside from that, she hasn’t left her room. It’s been blissfully quiet.
Carter should be home in a few hours.
So, I dress, waiting to shower until he is home, and there’s an extra pair of eyes on Gabby. It’s sad that she’s betrayed our trust so immensely that I can’t even go take a shower without Carter being here.
I’m in the kitchen, about to make a sandwich and take it in to the little girl when Carter comes walking through the front door.
It’s ten thirty. I wasn’t expecting him for a couple of hours yet.
The relief is instant and overwhelming.
“Hey.”
He holds up a finger. “Where is she?”
“In her room.”
He lets his bags drop when he stands and marches swiftly to Gabby’s room.
“I have more to tell you,” I say to his retreating back, but he’s a man on a mission.
Gabby’s going to get it.
Carter shuts the door firmly behind him, and the yelling starts instantly.
“What the hell is going on?”
Without remorse, I walk down the hall so I can listen in.
“I can’t believe you, Gabby. This is absolutely unacceptable behavior, and you know it. How dare you threaten to put your hands on Nora, or anyone else. I didn’t raise you to act like this.”
“I just—” she begins, but he cuts her off.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll zip your mouth and listen. I had to cut an important business trip short so I could come home and deal with you because you’ve lost your ever-loving mind. After everything that Nora’s done for you over the years, this is how you treat her?”
There’s nothing for a moment as Carter undoubtedly paces around the room. I can picture it in my head, him running his hands through his hair, and Gabby biting her lip, with a scowl on her pretty face.
“I’m so disappointed in you,” he says, the volume of his voice lessening, but the hardness is still in every word. “I can’t believe this, Gabrielle. Who do you think you are to speak to anyone this way? To behave this way?”
“I didn’t know that what I was doing was wrong.”
“Bull. Shit.” I cringe. That was the wrong thing to say. “I’m not stupid, thank you very much. You forget, I’ve been your age, you’ve never been mine. I know all the tricks, all