Anything but Normal - Melody Carlson [55]
Despite Sophie’s recent resolve to come clean with family and friends and to stop the lies, she couldn’t blow her cover just now. Not like this. “I thought I’d do a follow-up story,” she said quickly. “For the last newspaper of the year.”
“Oh, that’s a nice idea.”
“Yeah. Kind of a happy Christmas piece. After all the recent controversy, I wanted to write something positive about the center and the girls.” Sophie brightened. “And now I can include a bit about how more volunteers are stepping in to help—like you.”
“Just for the record, I haven’t changed all my views on this issue, but I suppose I’ve changed my strategy.” She reached over and squeezed Sophie’s hands. “You were right, Sophie, these girls do need our love and support. Thanks for helping me to see that.”
Sophie nodded. But the irony was inescapable. Not long ago, she had faced off with Mrs. Vincent over the teen pregnancy controversy. Now it was likely that, before long, Sophie would be a student in her childbirth class. But she wasn’t going to think about that today.
“Sophie,” Mrs. Manchester said. “So good to see you again. What can I do for you today?”
With Mrs. Vincent still listening, Sophie quickly retold her most recent fib. “I wanted to write something upbeat and positive for the Christmas edition of the paper,” she said. “If I could do another interview with the same girls, it’d be helpful.”
“That’s a lovely idea.” Mrs. Manchester actually hugged Sophie. “So thoughtful of you.”
Sophie bit her lip. Why couldn’t she just tell the truth? Once and for all she should just spew it out—tell the truth and take the consequences!
“Sophie is always thinking of others,” Mrs. Vincent gushed. “Such a fine role model.”
Sophie felt like gagging. She hated herself, hated her lies— she was such a pathetic hypocrite! And yet she just stood there accepting this praise like she deserved it.
Mrs. Manchester nodded with enthusiasm. “You are a treasure, Sophie. Why don’t you go set your interview things up in my office, and I’ll go find the girls. By the way, I think Serena has someone she’d like you to meet.”
Sophie went to the office and got out her notebook. She hadn’t brought the mini recorder, but she could at least take notes and put on the pretense of an interview. Besides, now she had to write that article, hopefully in time to make the final edition of the year. Not only that, but this would give her a chance to talk to Natasha. Her story was so similar to Sophie’s that it gave Sophie hope. Natasha, although a year younger, had somehow managed to face up to the truth— somehow she was dealing with it. Maybe Natasha could help—
“Hey, Sophie,” Serena said as she entered the office with a chubby-cheeked infant in her arms, “this is my little man, Gilbert.”
“Nice to meet you, Gilbert.” Sophie grinned down at the baby. Dressed in a red and white Christmas outfit and matching stocking hat, he looked ready to pose for a Christmas card. “Interesting name.”
“It was my grandpa’s. Now he was a good man.”
“So, how is life going for you and Gilbert?”
Serena let out a sigh. “Let me tell you, it is so not easy.”
“I’ll bet.”
“I mean, I thought I was tired before I had my little rug rat. But now it seems like I’m barely keeping one foot in front of the other. He eats all night long. And diaper duty—ew! I think he takes after his daddy in the stinky-pants department.”
Sophie chuckled. “Has his daddy seen him?”
“Oh yeah. He came to the hospital and everything.”
“So you guys are back together?”
“No way.”
“Oh.”
“I don’t even want him in my life anymore. Well, to see his son. That’s okay. But I’m like so over him now. My mama tried to tell me that Reggie was a selfish jerk a long time ago, but I just never listened.” She shook her head. “Lots of stuff I never listened about.”
“But you’re listening now?”
She laughed. “Not according to my mama.”
Sophie asked her a few more questions, but it wasn’t long before Gilbert was fussing. “He wants to eat again.” Serena pushed the pacifier back in his mouth, but he wasn’t interested.
Soon