Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 19
Edward nodded. He needed to think fast. He needed to convince Carmen that the difficulties presented by her pregnancy would be worth weathering. He opened and closed his mouth a few times. His mind was drawing a blank.
Finally, he went with his instinct. He took out the envelope from his pocket that held the money and placed it on the table. Then he put his right hand, palm up, next to it.
"Carmen, I know you think you don't have a choice. I want you to see that you do. You can take this money and go through with the abortion. You are right; it is your body, and it will always be your decision. That would be the easy way, I admit.
"Or you can take my hand and be with me. We will take the difficult path, but we will go through it together. It will be hard on us both. We will have to give up things that we always wanted and maybe put our plans on hold for a while. But you will have me, Carmen. Every step of the way. You'll never be alone. I promise."
Edward looked up at Carmen expectantly when he finished speaking. Carmen was gazing at the wall instead of meeting his eyes, but he could see the tension in her joints, in the way she clutched her purse and in the set of her jaw.
A minute passed by. Then two.
Carmen's lack of response made Edward wonder if she even heard a word he had said.
"Carmen," he spoke softly, hoping to engage her attention.
She turned her head to look at him. There was fire in her eyes - and bitterness - with tears brimming in the corners that he knew Carmen wouldn't allow to well past her eyelids. She was stubborn that way. Her face was inscrutable.
He smiled at her reassuringly.
Please don't choose the envelope, he silently prayed.
Carmen stood up without a word.
She reached out her hand and picked up the envelope, ignoring his hand frozen in supplication.
She walked out of the cafe, leaving Edward behind.
She didn't look back.
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.
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