A Haunted Decision

It was the decision that would haunt her for the rest of her days.

“I don’t want kids,” he told her casually at lunch.

“I’m sorry?”

“I don’t want kids, Caty. I never have.” He took a bite of his pasta.

“But Eric, you knew I had Claudine…”

“Well I never expected this to get serious.” He put his fork down and took her hand. “I want to be with you.”

“I wanna be with you too. You don’t have to be a father. You can just be her friend.” She heard her desperation.

He laughed. “Caty, be reasonable. I’m good looking with a lucrative career. I have plenty of friends. I’ve no desire to be ‘friends’ with a two year old.”

She sat silent as tears welled in her eyes. Eric was the only man who ever loved her. She couldn’t lose him. And he was right- he was successful, good looking, and wealthy. She never understood why he was with her.

“What can I do?”

“I know a couple who would adopt her.” He took another bite and looked at her. “You want to be with me, don’t you?”

“Yes…but she’s my daughter.”

He shrugged. “Well, I won’t change so I guess that leaves us-“

She stopped him. “No, please! I’ll do it.”

He smiled. “Okay, honey. I’ll handle the arrangements.”

Only a month later and she was childless. She told herself that Claudine would be better off and she had Eric coming home to her most nights.

Two years went by and whiskey bottled her feelings. One Thursday morning she picked up the paper:

Girl Falls to Her Death. Adoptive Parents Charged.

Her heart stopped beating as she read the story of four year old Claudine thrown from the 12th story window- reason unknown.


**300 words**