Sallinger, Elene - Reflection (The Chrysalis Series)

She reached for another tissue as fresh tears began running down her cheeks.

‘He told me “I decide when this ends, not you”. He said he’d fail me out of my physical chemistry class unless I continued to screw him, and my scholarship has a GPA requirement. I’m barely keeping Bs in some of my core classes, so I can’t afford a failing grade in anything.’

She flung herself back on the sofa and squeezed her eyes.

‘Have you thought about reporting him?’ Anger clenched Bridget’s chest at the obvious despair Skyler was in. She hadn’t thought Whittier could drop any lower in her estimation. She’d been wrong.

‘Yeah, right,’ Skyler scoffed. ‘Who’d believe me over the dean?’

‘I do.’ Bridget’s voice was soft.

Skyler’s head snapped in Bridget’s direction.

‘Why do you believe me, Professor? You’re not even questioning whether I’m telling the truth. Why is that?’

‘Are you telling me the truth?’

‘Yes, but that’s not the point.’ Her chocolate eyes bored into Bridget’s green ones.

Bridget made a split-second decision and said, ‘He’s been harassing me as well. He’s already proven that he isn’t above threats and manipulation to get what he wants. So yes, Skyler. I believe you.’

Skyler launched herself at Bridget, wrapping her in a constricting hug.

‘Skyler, sugar, I can’t breathe,’ she gasped even as she laughed.

Skyler released her and sat back, tears once again flowing.

Bridget took her hand and squeezed, ‘We’ll figure something out where Dean Whittier is concerned. I promise. But let’s put that aside for the moment and get back to the more pressing issue of your baby.’

The words sank into Skyler’s brain like water into a sponge. Up until this moment, her pregnancy had been more of an abstract construct in her mind. First, it was a tool she’d hoped to use to get Dale to leave her alone. Then it was about refusing to let him control her.

She’d never once thought of it as a baby. It was the pregnancy. The foetus. But it was a baby; more importantly, it was her baby. She had always wanted children. It was definitely in her life plan. She had just thought she’d be safely graduated and married before a baby entered the picture.

She had no excuse for what had happened. She’d forgotten to take her pills. She’d let herself be distracted and had been irresponsible. It was simple as that. Birth control only worked reliably when you followed instructions and she hadn’t.

Now, though, confronted by the fact that her entire life was about to change, she had to make a decision.

‘Skyler?’

The professor had been so kind to her. She’d come to her not knowing what to expect; certainly not compassion and understanding. She’d expected to be disbelieved. Just knowing she wasn’t alone was so comforting.

‘I’m keeping my baby.’

‘Have you thought this through, Skyler? A baby will change your life for ever. What about school?’

Skyler had those questions too and it would be a complete lie to act as if she had the answers, but she knew what she wanted. As the thought filled her mind, so did a conflicting sense of both peace and trepidation.

‘I don’t have the answers to those questions, Professor. But I know that I’m keeping my baby.’

‘You don’t have to do this, Skyler. You know that, right?’

Skyler nodded at Professor Ross. ‘I know. But I want to do this.’

The professor didn’t speak; she just took Skyler in her arms and held her tight.

Bridget poured a steaming cup of coffee and picked up a chocolate chip cookie before heading over to sit with Claire and Mona. Once again, she hadn’t heard a single word of the book club discussion and Jean had given her an earful, to be sure. She almost hadn’t come, but she’d known that would only create more questions. As it was, she could see Claire and Mona chomping at the bit to lay into her as well.

With a fortifying bite of cookie, she went to face the inquisition.

Claire didn’t hesitate. ‘Well. What’s going on? Is it Connor?’

‘No, it’s not Connor.’ She sighed. ‘Well, not in the way you mean anyway.’ She couldn’t contain a grin.

Mona leaned forward, interest blazing in her eyes. ‘Ooh, I think Bridget’s got some scoop to tell.’ Setting her cookie and coffee down, she said, ‘Spill. Bridg. Let’s have it.’ She grinned. ‘Tell us something good.’

‘Better yet –’ Claire sipped her decaf ‘– tell us something sexy?’

Bridget flushed, but couldn’t help herself. ‘Sexy was off the charts, darlin’. That man is unbelievable.’

They burst out in happy laughter with Bridget.

‘Well, he must have been good to keep you so distracted. Come on, girl. What good is having friends if you can’t count on getting the dirt?’ Mona said.

‘Exactly,’ Claire chimed in.

Bridget chuckled but quickly filled them in on her night with Connor. They’d spent several evenings together during the week and had made love again. It was just as wonderful as the first time, though she still couldn’t bring herself to truly let it all go with him. She still refused to give in to her urge to go beyond the “norm” and he hadn’t pushed her, but she felt a barrier between them.

Tomorrow, he was taking her out to Luna Bella. He’d gotten testy when she’d suggested they didn’t need to go to such an expensive restaurant, telling her he wanted to treat her. She’d agreed rather than argue the point. She didn’t want him to feel he had to go out of his way to impress her. She was already impressed.

‘Why would going to Luna Bella matter?’ Mona asked.

‘He doesn’t make a lot of money. And I don’t want him splurging on me when it isn’t necessary,’ Bridget said.

‘What does he do?’ Claire asked.

‘Starving artist, right?’ Mona chimed in. ‘I see him drawing all the time at the café.’

‘Janitor, actually,’ Bridget said. ‘At Pinewood, no less.’

Both women looked stunned at the revelation, but quickly recovered.

‘Yeah, that wouldn’t bring in a lot of money, but Bridg, you gotta let a man be a man. If he wants to splurge on you, let him,’ Claire said before finishing off her cookie.

‘Yeah, honey,’ Mona said, ‘Connor’s not stupid. If he wants to take you out, I’m sure he can afford it.’

This was why Bridget loved her friends. They didn’t even blink at what Connor did for a living.

‘That doesn’t seem like enough to keep you as preoccupied as you were though. Is there more?’ Claire nibbled at her last cookie.

‘Yes, but not with him. It’s one of my students. And frankly, me.’

Both women waited patiently for her to continue.

‘Well, one of my students, Skyler –’

‘She comes into the café all the time.’ Mona interjected. Her brow furrowed in concern.

‘Yup, that’s her. She’s pregnant, and it’s by my boss, no less.’

That particular bomb was met by mute stares.

Bridget just nodded.

‘Yup, that was my reaction. But what’s making it worse is he’s harassing me too.’

Both women exploded at that, talking over each other, their indignation apparent.

‘Calm down, calm down.’ She held up restraining hands as her friends continued to rail.

‘I think they have the right of it.’ Evan’s deep voice startled Bridget. She hadn’t heard him come up.

‘What do you mean?’ she said.

‘I mean, I’m two seconds away from shoving my foot up this guy’s ass, that’s what. What are you doing about this? Have you reported him?’

‘No, and I’m not going to either.’

The group exploded again and Bridget practically had to shout to be heard.