Dough, Diamonds and a Dash of Hate

II

HARRIET

~Present~

Imagine my shock at seeing the guy after 3 years, I didn't know what to do, I thought I'd call Kate and ask her to come and rescue me since she had a much easier time confronting people than me. Well, I'd be lying if I said I'd never thought of finding a way to talk to him, Milena is already 3 and at that age where she asks questions about everything and of course one day that question came up, and I just didn't know, I couldn't give her an answer and of course I didn't sleep that night thinking that she'd hate me in the future if I didn't at least try. I told my parents I was going to take a break and walked over to his table.

"Look, you probably don't remember me, but we spent a night together like three years ago or something like that, Harriet Wagner." I say, clearly nervous.

"Oh sure, have a seat." He says, pointing to the chair in front of him, and I'm honestly shocked that he remembers.

"I tried to talk to you a few months later when you came to this bakery but the number you gave my friend was fake, I don't judge you, I would've been a little suspicious too." I say with that classic nervous laugh.

"Oh no, it wasn't that, it was that I changed my number shortly afterward. It was only one coffee a week, there was no point in coming back to tell you I'd changed my number." He says, and I stare for a long time in confusion.

"Oh no, no, that's not why. It's just that... I'd feel really guilty if I didn't say anything, but I kind of got pregnant that night. And I tried to call, and then the number didn't come up, and I thought it was a sign, which I know is really stupid but..." I say, trying to justify myself because he honestly seemed like a nice guy.

"Wait wait wait, I have a son, I mean if you...

"I had her, she's a girl, by the way." I said, still super nervous, but more relieved to have said it. "I don't really want anything, I just wanted to say it to ease my conscience."

"Can I meet her?" He asks, ignoring everything I've said, and I look at him, a little unsure of what to say.

"I suppose so... We could arrange it someday or..."

"Today is fine?" He says as he writes down his number, which I assume is his current one, on a napkin.

"I work late, she's at daycare." I say.

"I can wait." He says, and I end up accepting since he was so interested.

"I'll pick her up around six, she usually stays here with my parents while I clean the kitchen since it's not so crowded at that time." He nods and decides to wait.

I explained to my parents what had happened, and they weren't very convinced, so they said they'd stay anyway to see what happened and that I should stay there with them while they cleaned the kitchen.

Around six o'clock I went to pick up Milena, who came running up to me with a smile on her face.

"Was your day good, Lena?" I asked, picking up her backpack.

It was great! We had music and look Mommy!" she says, showing me a small bandage on her arm, which immediately makes me wonder why she was happy and not crying. - They gave me Bella's!

" Ohhhh," I say, seeing that she's been given her favorite princess's bandage. It doesn't hurt, then?

A boy bit me because I wouldn't let him use the swing, but it was my turn! And he crossed the line, so I said no, and he bit me, so I pushed him away." She says walking to the car without a care in the world.

Really? And the teachers didn't call you out on it?" I ask because normally they'd give that bullshit talk that you shouldn't respond with the same coin. I couldn't care less, if they hurt my daughter she'll hurt back and that's because I'd go to jail if I hurt a kid.