The Black Witch of Mexico Read Online Free PDF Page B

over a month, how could that be too late?
    “There was something I wanted to say to you,” he said.
    She bit her lip and looked anxious, kept glancing at the door like she wanted to be somewhere else. But he was determined she would hear him out.
    “I’ve thought it over. I know I said I didn’t want kids right now…that I wasn’t ready for the whole, you know, the whole thing. But, Elena, how it is, I don’t want to lose you. This is the first time I’ve ever said this to anyone. I love you.”
    There, it was out of his mouth.
    He touched his pocket, felt for the ring in his pocket, wondered if this was the right moment to surprise her with it.
    “Come back to me,” he said.
    “Adam, there’s no point. You know what I want and you’re not ready for that. You told me yourself, you aren’t built to be monogamous.”
    “Maybe I was wrong.”
    “I know you don’t really mean this.”
    “I do mean it.”
    He thought that would be enough. His fumbled for the little plush lined box in his pocket. He thought she would fall at his feet. Instead she glanced at the door, like she was planning her escape. “This isn’t like you.”
    “I’ve changed. People can change.”
    “You’re not being rational.”
    “I don’t want to be rational. I’m through with being rational.”
    “I’m sorry I hurt you. I didn’t think you’d take it so hard. But, Adam, you’re not that kind of guy. We had a great time together but it’s time to move on. A month from now you’ll have forgotten all about me.”
    “But we’re meant for each other.”
    She bit her lip. “Julie said I shouldn’t have come tonight.”
    “Julie? Your sister?”
    “She said you’d try to find a way to get me back and that it wasn’t healthy.”
    “Get you back? Are we split up?”
    “Adam, what do you think?”
    “I thought we were just taking a break.”
    “Well, it’s the same thing.”
    “Is it? What else did your big sister say about me?”
    “Nothing,” she said and looked away. Adam thought so Julie must have said a whole lot. He had no chance if the Beloved Julie was against him. Or perhaps it was Julie who had poisoned her mind against him in the first place. He could imagine the scene, her kitchen, Julie’s kitchen, a Starbucks.
    “Don’t let him string you along. If he doesn’t want kids now he’ll never want them. His career always comes first with him. You have to do what’s best for you.”
    “This is too good to just to throw away,” he said. “We make magic together, you and me.”
    “Passion fades, Adam. Real love comes from friendship and suitability.”
    “Is this your sister talking again?”
    “I didn’t get this from my sister. It’s what I think.”
    “Because it sounds just like the pocket philosophy she writes for that magazine. Did she give you a quiz to do as well?”
    “I love you, Adam, but we have too many differences. It would never work out, you know that.”
    “What differences?”
    “You don’t want children, for one thing.”
    “I just finished telling you, I’m willing to rethink that.”
    “You’ve never wanted kids till now.”
    “I never said I didn’t want children. I just don’t want them now.”
    “If you don’t want them now, when will you want them?”
    “What does that mean? I’m only thirty-two for God’s sake.”
    “You’re married to the ER.”
    That seemed like his cue. He reached for the small velvet box in his pocket. This would show her he was serious, that her damned sister and her newsstand psychobabble were wrong about him.
    “I’ve met someone else.”
    He slid the ring back in his pocket, feeling like the biggest fool in the whole goddamned world, just grateful he had not gone into the whole speech thing he had prepared.
    “You’ve what, sorry?”
    “I didn’t know how to tell you.”
    “Someone else? You cheated on me?”
    She shook her head, brushed away a tear. What did that performance mean? “Not yet, or please don’t ask