Ethan had come downstairs to get something to drink and had witnessed Mark's anger. His heart broke and he realized life wasn't a fairy tale and the Mark he loved and called dad had never really existed. He knew his mom had been right, they should have told him up front things might have turned out different. Ethan watched from the shadows as his mother made her way up the stairs crying. His anger threatened to over whelm him. He went into the kitchen and stood at the door while Mark talked to his friend on the phone. Mark had his back to him and didn't see him.
"Yea this bitch really played a number on me. Had me convinced I was married to her and these was my kids. Imagine that I don't even like kids." Mark said.
"Must have been horrible all these months, I know how kids get on your nerves and she's got four, damn man, how did you survive?" Glen asked.
"Yea horrible is the word." Mark said even though it was a lie. He had been happy but that was just a fantasy and the man that had enjoyed that shit wasn't really him. He wanted to get back to his life and his flashy little girlfriend he left behind.
"Now she's got the nerve to tell me she's pregnant." Mark said angrily.
"Oh hell man what are you going to do?" Glen asked.
"Do? I'm not going to do anything. She brought this on her self." Mark said.
"Listen man I'll pick you up tomorrow, I'll call and book you on a flight back to Texas." Glen said.
"Yes, How about stopping by my house and bringing me my credit cards. There in the safe in my bedroom. You got the combo, don't ya?" Mark asked.
"Yea man. Okay. I will be there around noon." Glen said.
"If ya get lost driving out here, call." Mark said and gave him the number.
"See ya tomorrow." Mark said and hung up.
Mark felt something hit him and hard. He turned around and Ethan pulled back and punched him hard in the stomach. He barely felt it. Mark grabbed the boy by the shoulders.
"What the hell are ya doing Ethan?" Mark asked.
"You sorry bastard, how could you talk to my mother that way. I was in the hallway I heard you. I was the one who lied to you, if you want to mad be mad at me." Ethan said angrily.
"Ethan you're a child, your mama is old enough to know better. She should have told me the truth. I can't hold you responsible you're just a kid." Mark said.
"She wanted to tell you the truth things just got out of hand and Jessie and me kept begging her not to, it wasn't her fault." Ethan said.
"Ethan the whole thing was wrong and I hope you realize that. I don't know what your mama hoped to gain from this, I'm sure she knows I'm wealthy." Mark said.
Ethan went rigid with anger.
"You asshole, my mom was never after your money, your too stupid to see what's right in front of your face. Just go and get out of here we don't need you. I'll help my mom take care of our new baby. That kid will be lucky they never have to know you." Ethan said and ran out of the room.
Mark stood there. He wanted to go after Ethan but stopped. It's not your kid Mark, just let it go. Mark went out and stood on the front porch all the memories of the last few months playing on his mind. But his anger wouldn't let him feel anything else. He felt betrayed. When his memory came back he had lost the life he thought was his. He wondered what had happened to Lacy's husband. Mark shrugged. He would be out of here tomorrow.
Lacy lay in her bed crying her heart out. She had known this was going to happen, but nothing prepared her for the pain. She thought about just last night, Mark had made sweet love to her in this bed and told her he loved her. She had made a million memories over the last few months all of them wonderful. She laid her hand on her stomach. She didn't regret carrying his baby. She would love and cherish it as a part of the man who was very real for a while. He was gone now forever though. Ethan walked in the room and sat on his mothers bed.
"Don't cry mom, we don't need him. I will take care of you." Ethan said.
Lacy sat up and hugged her son, knowing he was hurting as much as she was.
"I'm sorry Ethan. I know this must be terrible for you." Lacy said.
"It will be okay mom, I promise." Ethan said hugging her.
Lacy got up early and fed the twins getting them up early. Mark was asleep on the couch. She had Ethan take them to the next farm down to play with the two little girls that lived there. When Ethan got back they went up to talk to Jessie.
Jessie sat up in bed rubbing her eyes.
"What's going on mommy?" Jessie asked.
Lacy sat on her bed while Ethan just stood staring out the window.
"Honey Mark got his memory back." Lacy said.
Tears came up in Jessie's eyes.
"He don't want us no more does he?" Jessie asked.
Lacy hugged her daughter.
"No honey, he's mad like I thought he would be." Lacy said.
Jessie lay against her mother crying.
"Honey he's leaving in a while. I want you to stay up here. He's not the same man he was. I don't want you anymore hurt than you are now. Can you do that? Stay up in your room?" Lacy asked.
"Yes." Jessie said, but she had no intention of letting her daddy leave without seeing him.
