Chapter 17
Martha sat in front of her dressing table and glared at her reflection. Part of her wanted to cry and the other part of her wanted to tell her how awful she was and that she didn't deserve either Jack or Carl, but the truth was, she couldn't face the harsh reality of being alone.
The sound of the front door opening and then shutting again snapped her ack to reality. Taking a deep breath, she walked to the top of the stairs in time to see Carl closing the front door as he walked in. 'Where you've been?' she asked, trying to remain calm. Carl looked at her blankly and walked into the living room. Martha followed him. 'We have to talk'
'That's funny. I thought you already did. You know, before?' his voice was filled with a mixture of emotions and Martha wasn't sure of whether to walk away from him or beg him to hold her. 'Please, Carl. I am trying here'
'Oh, I'm sorry. Am I being rude?' he didn't seem the least bit sorry. Not that Martha could blame him. He was angry. He was hurting. But she didn't mean to make him feel that way. Martha sighed. 'You know what?' she looked at Carl, as though waiting for him to answer. He shrugged his shoulders. 'No. What?'
'That's it' Martha snapped. 'I'm not speaking to you whilst you're like this. You've not even given me the chance to explain'
'Don't worry. I've heard enough' he muttered. Martha stared at him for a few seconds before shaking her head and walking towards the door.
'Why don't you call me when you're ready to discuss this properly'
'Discuss what, Martha?' Carl voice was quivering. Martha shook her head. 'I wanted to make this work for the baby, but if all you can think about is yourself and how you're feeling, then maybe I'm...No, maybe we're both, better off without you' the words crawled from her lips so easily, yet she wasn't sure if she meant them.
'You can't walk away from me, Martha!' Carl called as he watched her disappear down the street. 'I won't let you. You're having my baby and whether you like it or not, taht's the truth. You go ahead and run to Jack, but I'm telling you now, there's no way I'm letting you take my baby away from me!'
Martha turned the corner and stopped. Leaning herself against the wall, she began to sob hysterically. She felt her head spin. Grabbing the wall, she tried, and failed to prop herself up. She tried calling for help, but her voice was too weak. It was the last thing she remembered, before she blacked out completely...