“How do you know?” Ryder quizzed as he flipped the steaks that sizzled in the pan. “How do you know that my brothers and the girls won’t move someplace else, and we won’t see them as much?”
My heart began to pound against my chest.
“They won’t move,” I answered.
“You don’t know that,” Ryder said as he sprinkled some seasoning into the pan. “For all we know, they might want to move over the north side of the city or to a different county with better schools for their kids. I doubt they’d stay here just to give our kid some company.”
I never thought of anything like that. I guess I always assumed we would all remain living close to one another. The sudden thought of my sister, friends, and Ryder’s brothers not being nearby didn’t sit well with me, and I was suddenly pissed with Ryder for putting that worry in my head.
I stared at him. “Why are you bein’ so negative about this?”
“I’m not.” He sighed. “I just don’t want you to assume that our niece and nephews will compensate for brothers and sisters to our baby.”
“You’d say mass just so I’ll agree with you on havin’ five kids.”
“What does that even mean?” he questioned.
“It means,” I said firmly, “that you’d say anythin’ to get what you want.”
Ryder snorted, and it was at that moment that I knew he wasn’t going to acquiesce to this no matter what I said, and it was beginning to drive me insane.
“What if I can’t have any more?”
Ryder turned off the stove and served our steaks and sides onto plates.
“That’s crazy talk,” he said, dismissing my question.
“No, it’s not,” I stated, not liking that this conversation was quickly turning into an argument. “What if the baby I’m carryin’ is the only one I’ll ever carry? Will he or she not be enough because there are no other siblings?”
Ryder looked up at me and paled. “No, of course not—”
“Then why are you makin’ such a big deal out of this?” I demanded. “Why are you fightin’ me on this? Why do you need four more kids? Why?”
“Branna, listen—”
“No, you listen.” My voice suddenly breaking. “I had me choices taken away from me before, and I refuse to have them taken away again. If I don’t want more kids, then I’m not havin’ more. It’s my body. That’s the end of this conversation!”
I wish I’d spoken with assertiveness and had my head held high, but big fat tears were falling from my eyes, and I was sniffling like crazy. I might have looked like a mess, but I said my piece and got my point across, and that was the important thing.
“Now, if you don’t mind,” I hiccupped. “I’m goin’ outside for some fresh air.”
“Branna, I’m so sor—”
“Don’t be sorry.” I cut him off. “Be mindful of me feelins’ and understandin’ of me decisions. You don’t have to like them, but you damn well better respect them. I’m your wife; your utmost respect should be for me.”
I left the kitchen without waiting for Ryder’s reply and headed outside to the front porch. I shivered the moment I closed the front door behind me. The rain had lessened slightly, but frigid cold nipped at me and caused goose bumps to break out on my flushed skin. My annoyance forced my legs to move, and without realising it, I headed in the direction of the trail Ryder and I had walked on daily. The trees overhead provided some protection against the falling rain.
I only walked a few minutes or so before a noisy squeal got my attention.
I scanned the darkened bush and jumped when I heard the squeal again. I squinted my eyes, and I walked forward. I heard the rush of running water and knew the river was nearby. I pushed through some trees until I came close to the embankment of the river that ran through the forest. It wasn’t full dark outside, but it wouldn’t be long until I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I knew I needed to go back to the safety of the cabin, but I couldn’t leave the animal that was hurting. I tried to turn around, but my conscience wouldn’t allow me to do so. The screech of pain was louder this time, and I gasped when I found what was making the awful sounds.
“Oh, baby,” I whispered as I stared down at a small rabbit that had somehow got its foot tangled in some plastic that was caught on some fallen branches.
I looked around for something to cut the plastic, but the best thing I could find was a semi-sharp rock.
“Shhh,” I cooed to the rabbit, hoping to offer it some comfort.
I bent down on my knees and took hold of the little being. I tried to apply some strength to keep it still, but it was useless, so I put up with the flying paws and kicking legs as I began to untangle the lengthy piece of plastic from around the animal’s small leg. When nothing could be untangled further, I used the rock to saw through the material until it snapped and the animal was freed.