More Than I Can Bear Read Online Free PDF Page B

years. That ain’t long enough to restrain myself from kickin’ some church folk butt if anybody says the wrong thing to me about my situation.”
    â€œI’m sure Sister Unique felt the same way when she got pregnant with the twins knowing she already had three children by three different fathers,” Norman was quick to remind Paige.
    â€œBut . . .” Paige’s words trailed off when she realized that there was no but.
    â€œIf God did it for Unique, if He pulled her through, what in the world makes you think He won’t do it for you?”
    â€œBut . . .” Again, Paige knew there was no but. Norman was speaking the truth right now, and it was actually starting to soften Paige’s heart toward the matter.
    â€œBut God,” Norman said, sitting down next to Paige and taking her hands into his.
    â€œI know it sounds weak and shallow, but I do care about what people think of me. I hear people say all the time that they don’t care what people think of them, but they are lying. Half the things we do in life we do because of other people. We don’t buy that nice pair of pants not because we don’t like how we look in them, but we are concerned with how other people will think we look in them. ‘Does my butt look big?’” Paige mocked. “As long as you like how your behind looks in it, buy the dang pants! But no, we concern ourselves with what others think we will look like. The things we do, the things we say, even the decisions we make somehow are always influenced by what other people will think.”
    â€œThen if what people think, about you running around as a divorced woman pregnant, is a big part of the reason why you want an abortion, that and the fact that you don’t want to raise your child alone without a father, then I think I have the perfect solution.” A smile crept across Norman’s lips and Paige braced herself for his bright idea that had already lit up his face.

Chapter Four
    Paige gripped her stomach as she slid off the couch. She couldn’t control her laughter. Just moments ago she felt as if she may never laugh again, and now here she was feeling as if she may never stop laughing. “Ahhhh, haaaaaaa, ahhhhhh,” Paige roared as tears of laughter fell from her eyes.
    â€œCome on, what’s so funny?” Norman said, feigning a smile to hide the agitation he was feeling from Paige’s reaction to his suggestion.
    â€œYou. You’re what’s so funny.” Paige continued to laugh. She twisted and rolled from left to right as she laughed uncontrollably. “Oh my goodness, Norman. You are a good friend,” she said as she attempted to get her laughter under control. “Thank you so much for cheering me up. I really needed that laugh.” Her laughter subsided as she looked to Norman, who wore a dead serious look on his face. “Wait,” Paige said as she ceased her laughter all together. “You weren’t . . . you weren’t serious were you?” The stoic look on Norman’s face let her know that he very much had been. “You were. You were serious.” Paige couldn’t help but to holler out laughing again.
    â€œIt wasn’t that farfetched of a suggestion,” Norman said with an attitude, displaying his disdain at Paige’s reaction.
    â€œI’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Paige said, trying her best to stop laughing, but little chuckles still made their way out.
    â€œJust forget it. Never mind. I was simply trying to help is all.”
    Paige stood as she managed to stop laughing completely. “Really, I know you are only trying to help and I appreciate your offer to make an honest woman out of me, but seriously, Norman, I know that was just a desperate effort to keep me from getting an abortion.” She looked at Norman. “Me marry you?” She pointed from herself to Norman and cried out, “Jesus, take the wheel!” And