Baby (Laundromat Chonicles Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

world.
    “Love you, Hap.”
    “Love you too, Lena.”
    ***
    “You sure I shouldn’t get a job? I feel bad having you working while I stay here.”
    This argument is becoming a daily thing. Every time I have to leave for work she either begs me to stay or tries to convince me that she needs a job. I hate leaving her home alone so much. Her friends are all away on family trips for their graduation and her mother still isn’t speaking to her.
    The last time my dad hit me was one hell of a fight. It was the first time I’d hit back. Once was all it took for him to realize how bad he’d gotten. How horrified my mother would be to see the man he’d become. A few days later he checked himself into rehab. He hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol or laid a hand on me since. Not long after Lena got pregnant, he met another woman online who he dated fairly frequently. When Lena and I moved out, so did he. It was a huge leap for him since she lived five hours away, but it seemed the next logical choice for my father, and he’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. I’m truly happy for him and hold no grudges from the past. We both lost my mother and grieved in different ways. He’s sorry now, that’s what I carry with me.
    We truly only have each other.
    “I know you get bored here, babe, but you start school in the fall. No point in working for a few months when I make enough to take care of us for now.”
    “I know. It’s just so lonely sometimes.” I hated seeing the sadness in her eyes. The longing to go out and be young.
    “Lena, maybe it’s time to call your mom?”
    “Why would you say that?” She steps back from me, loneliness turning to anger. There’s one thing I’ve learned since finding out she’s going to have a baby. Hormones during pregnancy are fucking insane, and they can turn on you, emotionally, in an instant. Two nights was all it took in our new place to witness my sweet and loving girlfriend turn into a raging lunatic then a heap of tears in a matter of minutes because I forgot pretzels on my way home. It was horrifying and I made a promise not to cause that kind of meltdown again. Despite my best efforts, it was about to happen.
    “I was just thinking maybe she could keep you company sometimes. Not all the time, just sometimes and maybe she’s accepted us and the baby? Maybe she can help you deal with the changes going on? I don’t know. I just hate seeing you so upset. Don’t be mad.” I walked toward her, closing the gap she created. She stepped back again. “Lena, come on.” My arm stretched toward her, my hand begging her to reach out.
    “I don’t want to talk to my mother. Don’t ever bring her up again.” Her words were vehement.
    “Okay, I promise. I’m sorry.” My arms were held above my head, surrendering.
    “Put your arms down, you look stupid. Go to work. I’ll be fine but you’re going to the laundromat with me when you get home.”
    “Deal. I love you.” She let me close enough to kiss her goodbye before she went back to the computer where she spent all of her time lately.
    “What are you doing over there?”
    “Writing. I got an idea the other night and decided to write it down. Why not? Who knows, maybe I’ll be a big time author.” She shrugged playfully, signs of my sweet girlfriend returning.
    “See, I’m not lonely… I have my friends .” She winked cutely at me.
    “Okay, babe. Love you. Write a blockbuster,” I call out over my shoulder as I head out to work, leaving her with her stories.
    ***
    We pull up to the laundromat just after six. I’m dead tired from working. They had me out bussing tables more which was good money wise, better tips, but on busy nights like tonight it is fucking exhausting. I consider telling Lena we can go another day but she was all ready when I walked in the door, the laundry baskets by the door and a sack dinner packed. I didn’t have the heart to tell her no.
    Most kids our age are out partying on weekend nights, not