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G abby climbed the six flights of stairs to her new apartment, which offered a view of a dilapidated building’s roof and cost her two grand a month. The money Knight generously sent with Wolf, promised five months of rent. With her paychecks and frugal savings, she determined she might afford an apartment with two bedrooms in a year if she only took a six-week maternity leave when the baby arrived.

Opening the flimsy lock, she held the last box on her hip and let herself into her new apartment. The door clicked behind her and she turned the lock. She didn’t worry about thieves coming in the middle of the night. It’s not as if she had anything worth stealing. Her eyes scanned the dismal view of the white, now turned-gray walls and the filthy window displaying the building’s disintegration.

Sliding down the wall beside the door, still cradling the last few items, Gabby allowed the tears to flow freely down her cheeks. She felt as neglected as her apartment. Overwhelming sadness filled her as she wondered how she ended up here. She closed her eyes and tried to shut away the memory of the first time she met Marcus Hutchins.

Gabby wiped down the countertops and filled the salt shakers while Gus cleaned off the grill. She only needed to gather the ketchup bottles, let Gus out the backdoor, and fill the bottles before she left.

“I’m done, Gabby,” Gus called from the back. “Don’t forget to lock up the front after I leave. Thanks for working the evening shift. Sally said she’ll take one of yours when she feels better.”

“No worries,” she assured him. “I don’t mind working the overtime. Tuition’s due in two weeks and I’ve saved enough money for it, but I want to eat, too.”

Gus shook his head. “You’re a go-getter. You’ve got this. I hate losing you as a waitress, but you’re not meant to stay here in this old grease pit.”

“Awww, Gus. I love this place. If we changed the curtains to make it appear brighter and added a few more fast-food selections to the menu, we might catch the college crowd running between classes.”

Gus shook his head. “Always got your thinking cap on. Lock up behind me and I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Good night,” she called and closed the heavy back door, locking it right away. She didn’t mind closing on her own. Gabby grabbed a few quarters from her tips and walked to the front to put the old jukebox on. She stopped short when she noticed a man dressed in all black. His beard hung down his chest and his skin carried faded black markings. He held a bag in his hand and smiled at her.

She stopped at the counter. “May I help you?”

“I’m sorry. I just returned from out of the country and craved a patty melt. I didn’t see the sign until I came in. You really need to lock up the front if you’re by yourself,” he softly chastised her.

“Who says I’m alone? I stepped away to help Gus,” she responded as she inspected him closer. His massive chest stretched the material of his shirt. He wore military boots and everything about him screamed alpha male.

Marcus grinned as he cocked his head at the waitress. “I’ll go. Lock the door behind me,” he reminded her. He turned to let himself out. Instead of leaving, he waited until she walked over and tapped on the glass, demanding she click the lock.

Gabby laughed as she reopened it, noticing his exhausted dark green eyes.

“How about you come in and I’ll ask Gus to make you a patty melt while I fill the ketchup bottles?”

“And a side of fries?” he asked as his face lit up. Seeing his expression, she had no heart to turn him down. Gabby stepped aside while he entered, turning the lock mechanism.

“Hey Gus, we need a patty melt with a side of fries,” she called. “How do you want the burger?”

“Rare, please,” he answered while gazing at her comically.

Gabby turned toward the kitchen. “Pittsburgh rare,” she yelled.

When no reply came, she crinkled her nose. “I’ll check on him while you pick a seat. What can I get you to drink?”

“Water’s, fine.” Marcus slid onto the stool at the counter.

Gabby ran to the back, opened the fridge, pulled out the items needed and slapped a patty on the spotless grill. She’d have to clean it after the man left, deducting an extra hour from her study time.

“He’s got it on the grill. Here’s your water.” She placed the glass on the counter and collected the ketchup bottles. She disappeared toward the back, adding the fries into the basket and the hot grease. Flipping the burger, she sauteed the onions and grabbed a plate.

She smiled as she entered the diner. “He’ll have it ready in a jiffy. Can I talk you into the last piece of cherry pie? I planned on throwing it out.”

“I hope Gus didn’t feel slighted at fixing a meal when he must’ve cleaned the grill.” Marcus watched her. “How can I turn down cherry pie?”

“Nah, it takes a lot to rattle the man. I’ll help him.” Gabby rushed back and flipped the burger and toasted the bread. She added the meat and onions, pulled the fries and added a dill pickle.

She smiled as she placed the food before him. “Enjoy.”

Gabby worked on the rest of the ketchup bottles and replaced the salt shakers. When she finished, she refilled his water and locked everything else. Gabby plated the piece of pie and set it beside his plate while he finished the fries.

“This is the best meal I’ve eaten in months,” he complimented her. “Thank you.”

“I’ll let Gus know how much you enjoyed it.” She smiled. “You must be military. Did you return from a long deployment?”

“Yeah. Can I get this dessert to go?” he asked.

She reached behind the counter, pulled out a box, and stuck the treat inside. She pushed it toward him.

“May I have the check?” he asked.

“Don’t worry about it. Thanks for keeping me company while I filled up the bottles. Gus stays pretty quiet toward closing,” she informed him.

“Oh, yeah. I barely heard him back there.” He took out his wallet. Placing two bills on the counter, Marcus picked up his bag and the pie. “Follow me to the door and lock it. Tell Gus I appreciate his effort. It means a lot to me.”

He pushed open the door and waited until she turned the lock and stuck out her tongue at him, making him laugh.

How did they go from the fun-loving couple to barely speaking? She wiped the tears from her face and placed a hand over the slight swell of her stomach. “Your daddy may not be with us, but I’ll love you enough for both of us,” she promised.

Standing, she picked up the last of her items and placed it on the counter. Taking a deep breath, Gabby attempted to remain optimistic. The baby didn’t need a crib right away. If she purchased a bassinet and a playpen, it might last her until she found a new place. Pulling out her folder, Gabby ran her hand over the white crib with an elephant painted on the side. The bedding contained other animals and she even found a footstool shaped like a tiger. It opened up for books. She bit her lip and scratched off the crib. If she found a decent one at a yard sale, and stuck to the basics of clothes, diapers and a good breast pump, she might build a nest egg in case the baby fell ill or she needed to take a day off.

The following morning, Gabby started her first day at the accounting office. She needed to eat dinner, take a shower, and prepare for the early commute. Opening the fridge, she removed half a turkey sandwich, grabbed an apple, and poured herself a glass of milk.

Gabby’s hand unconsciously rubbed her stomach as she sat on the couch. With no TV, she read books to pass the time. She found some used baby books at the thrift store across the street. After reading two sentences six times, she tossed it on the table and lay on the couch. Weariness overcame her and she closed her eyes, reliving the worst moment of her life.

She sat at her desk when the cramp low in her belly doubled her over. Gabby went into the bathroom and noticed the spotting. No one but Scott stayed late and she made her way down the hall to his office.

“Scott?” she asked.

“Yeah, Gabby?” he glanced up from his computer.

“I haven’t made this announcement yet. I waited for my husband to return from deployment. I’m pregnant. I started spotting. Can you drive me to the hospital?” she asked, unable to keep the fear from her voice.

“Oh, Gabby. Sure, let me grab my coat.” Scott led her to his car and walked her to the ER desk. Once they took her back, he waited in the waiting room while they examined her.

Gabby closed her eyes. She wished Marcus might magically show up, knowing it was impossible, but she never felt more alone. Over the last year, he disappeared and reappeared at their home as if it contained a revolving door. Gabby knew he didn’t discuss work with her, yet even when he returned, he seemed consumed by it. It led to petty squabbles. When she graduated with her degree, Marcus never appeared. He didn’t stay long enough for her to tell him she quit the diner. She earned a position at one of the biggest accounting firms in the state. They offered tuition reimbursement, allowing her to pursue her master’s degree. She asked him repeatedly if he might manage to get the afternoon of December twentieth off. Marcus promised to request it. She stood on stage with no family or husband to cheer her on as she accepted the degree she worked extremely hard for. Disappointment filled her.

In the middle of the night, she lay on her side asleep when his familiar scent entered the room and the mattress dipped down with his weight. His hand ran up her leg and he peppered her body with kisses, tickling her with his beard. She turned over to speak when he captured her mouth and crushed her to him. Desperation seeped off him as he stroked her body until they were both caught up in the flame of desire. As soon as they finished, he rose and went into the bathroom. Through her sleepy eyes, she watched his thick thighs and taut buttocks as they made their way across the bedroom. She waited for him to return, but her eyes grew heavy and she fell asleep. The following day, his side of the bed appeared untouched.

Now, she waited alone in a hospital bed. They kept her overnight for observation. Scott never revealed her condition and offered her a ride home. He arranged for one of the interns to drive her car back to her house while he brought her home. The office and her friends from the diner sent her flowers. Scott helped her in bed for three days of bed rest. He left the room and returned with her prenatal vitamin, a glass for water, and her computer. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll email anything you need. Rest and relax.”

The door opened, and Marcus appeared like a dream. But not the way she expected. He accused her of cheating on him. Didn’t he know she’d never do such a thing to him?

No, then he said the one thing she never thought to hear. “Thank God we didn’t have kids.”

Her hand moved downward to protect the tiny bundle of light through thisnightmare. She sighed as she wearily dragged herself up from the couch to wash her dishes. She thought they might have included a dishwasher for two thousand a month.

Pulling out her clothes and packing her briefcase, she prepared for the onslaught of morning sickness. Placing a package of crackers by the bed and a banana, she showered and went to bed early. She prayed she slept through the night and her dreams didn’t plague her with memories of the man she fell hopelessly in love with. It hurt every night when she woke up missing Marcus and knowing he didn’t give a damn about her.