Safety Net

9

December 1st 2018.

It had been a few days with this man. He offered to let Jo stay and knowing she didn't have anywhere to go (no more money to go to a hotel), she agreed. Free food and free shelter. What more could she want?

Jo covered her mouth with her hand after sticking a spoonful of fruit loops into her mouth, feeling a weird sensation in her abdomen. She ran to the bathroom and threw up in the toilet. She sat, leaning against the toilet. "What's going on, bug?" She asked softly as she laid her small hand on her stomach. "Please tell me you're okay," She exhaled shakily "If you arent, I would never- Just- Just please be okay." she said, mostly to herself.

She stood up and walked out, into the kitchen. "Hey, Paul." She greeted warmly, with a kind grin.

"Hi." He replied, scratching his stumble covered chin. "Maybe you should lay off of the pancakes for a while. You look bigger." He said, chuckling.

Jo glanced down at her body, eyes welling up with tears. She covered her stomach with her arms, trying to hide as much as possible. She knew she would grow during this pregnancy (obviously), but not this soon. She knew Paul was harsh, but not mean. "Well, I'm pregnant..." She said, rolling the hem on her dirty grey shirt between her fingers.

"What?!" He didn't think she would be carrying another mans child— or he hoped. He muttered to himself, as if he was trying to form a new plan in his head.

"If that's not okay, i'll leave." Jo said meekly. To be honest Paul scared her. He was so unpredictable.

"No!" He snapped. He cleared his throat and said "No. It's fine." This was just an issue they could get past. "You and your baby need the best care possible." He smiled (devilishly).