Covering the Carolinas by Casey Peeler Page B

my
life. “Marleigh, I can’t believe you’d lie to me! For three years!”
he says as his frustrations build and tears fill his eyes. He looks
around as if he’s looking for something to hit.
    Taking a step toward him, I say his name softly. He
tries to step backwards but runs into a trash can. “I did this
because I love you. I knew what you wanted in life and if I would
have told you… you wouldn’t have pursued your dream. I couldn’t
hold you back. One of us needed to live life to the fullest.”
    “ Don’t give me that as an excuse. You kept my
child from me. Three years, Mar! There’s no excuse you can give me
to make me forgive you.” He just stands there looking at me and
then through the window at Gunner. I can’t talk to you right now.”
he says as he places his hands on my shoulders and moves me out of
the way, then he walks away and never looks back.
    A stream of tears fall down my face as I watch the
only man I’ve truly loved walk away. Hearing footsteps approaching,
I see my sisters through tear stained eyes. “Mar, we’re so sorry.
We didn’t know they were coming today.” They engulf me in their
arms and then we hear a laugh. Looking up, my eyes see the blonde
bimbo, Summer, who’s enjoyed every bit of this show.
    “ I sure didn’t plan on getting free
entertainment when I walked in today. Looks like all your dreams
just vanished in front of your eyes. The only thing better than
that show would have been if I had found the dirt and told him
myself. I guess I’ll go comfort him? What do you think, Mar?” Rage
builds within me and I want to beat the shit out of her.
    Tinleigh pulls me away from her, reading me like
only sisters can. “She’s not worth it.”
    “ No, hunny, I’m totally worth it, and now that
you’ve broken Del Valle into a million pieces, I’m going to help
put him back together one little piece at a time.”
    “ He doesn’t love you. He never
will.”
    “ Maybe, but at least I’m not a liar,” she says
as she struts toward her car. Liar, yes
that’s exactly what I am, and my daddy was right. I should have
told him.
    “ God, I hate her,” I say and my sisters agree.
“What am I gonna do?” I plead.
    “ You’re going to dry your pretty eyes, hold
your head high, and go in there and act as if nothing is wrong.
Gunner won’t understand. He might know you’re upset, but you don’t
have to tell him more than that. Focus on him and not what just
happened. We will help you get through it, with or without GC,”
Carleigh says from the heart. I do as she says, and put on my best
mommy face.
    Walking back into the coffee shop, all eyes are on
me. My mama hugs me and whispers that it will be okay. I bend down
to Gunner. “What you got there?” I ask with a smile.
    “ A cake pop!” he says and I can’t help but
smile at my little boy. “You want a bite?” he questions. “I’m good.
Come on.” Taking his hand, we exit the coffee shop and Gunner rides
with me back to the beach house. He helps me forget what just
happened, but each time I glance at him in my rearview mirror, I
see his daddy, and that’s when I decide that I’ve got to make this
right somehow for the sake of my son.
    Gunner tells me about everything that he’s been
doing with my parents, and as a commercial for the upcoming home
game comes on the radio, he gets quiet. “Mommy, there’s ball
here?”
    “ Yes, at my school.”
    “ I go, Mommy! My birfthday! Pease?” Hearing
his sweet little voice, there’s no way I can deny him a birthday
wish.
    “ Let me see if there’s a home game once we get
to the house.” Even though I already know the answer.
    Arriving at the house, Gunner and I make our way
inside. When everyone else arrives, Daddy takes Gunner for a walk
and leaves us with Mama.
    “ Mar, we didn’t know. I’m so sorry! If we
would have, we never would have showed up,” Mama
assures.
    “ I know. I’m just so confused and now I know
that I was wrong. I shouldn’t