Love for the Librarian

A short time later I find I am staring at his social media. I can’t help it sometimes. It is getting ready to be summer break and I contemplate going home to talk to him about it. But this stops me.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“See Katelyn, it’s another one.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Katelyn came up from behind me to look at what was on my phone.

“He has another girlfriend. See this is why I don’t tell him about Grace. I don’t want my daughter to have a new step mommy every other week.” I threw my phone down on the couch.

“Maybe if he knew about Grace it wouldn’t be like that.” She rolls her eyes at me.

“Yeah, right, he likes his pretty girls. I don’t even know why he was into me. Oh, yeah I do, to piss off Brittney.” I know I sound bitchy, but I think it is postpartum hormones. That is a thing.

“Maybe he is looking for the right girl.”

“Yeah, right. Who are you trying to kid?”

“Or maybe he found the right girl and she ran away with her tail between her legs.” I can hear the tone in her voice. She is not happy with me.

“Did you just call me a bitch?”

“Yeah, I think you are being a petty bitch. You are sitting here trolling his social media and putting him down. You haven’t even told him anything and you expect him to act differently. Even Kevin thinks you are being a bitch about this and that is saying something. Kevin accepts everything. You need to get off your high horse and tell him what the hell is going on. Don’t think I don’t know that he has tried to reach out to you.”

“So, what the hell does it matter? It’s not like it is going to make a difference. I was a fool to fall for him and I am not going to have Grace be something that he resents. He has a life, it is best if he just lives it.”

“Then stop talking shit about a man who isn’t here to defend himself. He has no clue what is going on. He is just trying to live his life, like you want.” Katelyn softens her tone, but I can tell she is still mad.

Just then Kevin comes into the room. “Hey, guys I want to talk to you about something.” He takes a seat on the couch arm. “I think I am going to go home for the summer. I need some time away from things. Maybe seeing my family will help me deal. I’m sorry Riley, but I am not handling this whole thing very well. I don’t like lying and I feel like I am doing it all the time. Dylan has a right to know.”

I look him in the eyes and I see the anguish in him. I have put him in a bad spot. It isn’t his fault that I have this secret that he can’t tell, I made it a big deal. I even told them all they couldn’t post pictures of Grace, in case he sees them. I have really pushed it too far. “I understand Kevin. I put you in a bad position with your friend. Please just keep it quiet. I will tell him just not right now. He is just getting on with his life.”

Alex comes in. “I am going with him. I want to see my aunt and uncle, they have been harassing me. Plus I am thinking of moving back there with you guys after school. So I figured I would check it out.”

Katelyn smiles, “Let me guess you are going to keep an eye on Kevin.”

“I would never do that.” Alex gives a mocking smile.

I can’t help but laugh. Alex has gone on a couple of dates since Grace has been born, but he doesn’t seem to be happy with any of them. I wish I could give him what he wants.