Nick looked up at her, then back at Danny. “You heard your mom. It’s time for bed.”
“But I wanted to play some more,” Danny complained. Nevertheless, he gave Nick a hug and climbed into bed. Nick had gotten him into pajamas an hour earlier.
“Wait, aren’t you forgetting something?” Lauren asked.
“Oh, yeah!” Danny ran to give his mother a hug and a kiss. “I love you, Mommy! Good night!”
“I love you, too, baby,” Lauren answered. She turned off the light and followed Nick into the kitchen.
“Where’s Jess?” he asked.
“She’s at a friend’s house studying,” Lauren replied. She sat down at the table and motioned for him to do the same. “I think we need to talk.”
“I think so, too,” Nick agreed.
As he looked at her expectantly, she remained silent. Finally, she spoke. “I’m sorry, Nick.”
“Sorry?” he repeated, confused.
“I was crazy to think he could live without a father,” she explained. “But you know me. I had to be stubborn.”
“Lauren, don’t blame yourself. I’m an asshole. What I did to you was terrible. I don’t deserve to know my son.”
“But I should have known better, Nick! I grew up with no real father and look how I turned out!” As soon as she got the last word out, she began to bawl. Nick held out his arms, but she shook her head. “If you touch me, I’ll come back to you!”
“What have I done?” Nick whispered as he watched the love of his life weep, powerless to help her.
“Maybe you should just leave,” Lauren suggested. “You can come back to see Danny tomorrow afternoon.”
“All right,” Nick replied reluctantly. He left without another word, silent only because he was afraid a river of tears would begin to flow down his cheeks, too, if he tried to speak. As soon as he got out of the apartment, he mumbled to himself. “You really fucked this one up, Carter. You’re never going to get her back.”