More Than I Can Bear Read Online Free Page B

Paige wish she hadn’t been so cheap and splurged for the matching loveseat instead. No, his six-feet self wouldn’t have stretched out comfortably on that either, but it would have been better than that chair.
    Paige sat there for a moment trying to recall how her night had ended with Norman before she lost consciousness into a sleep. “Ahh.” She recalled having finally confessed her plans of an abortion, then burying her shameful face in Norman’s chest, where she cried shameful tears. That’s how she must have fallen asleep. Of course Norman being the caring friend to her he was must have gotten her a cover and let her sleep. Too bad she couldn’t sleep off shame like one could a hangover. Paige stood and stretched. She followed the moonlight into her kitchen, where she turned on the light and went to the cabinet to get a glass. She went to the freezer and got ice, then filled her glass with tap water.
    Paige wasn’t a bottled water type of chick. Tap water hadn’t been too good for the generations before her, so it wasn’t too good for her either. She placed the glass to her lips as she turned away from the sink. “Holy . . .” Her glass went crashing down onto the floor, shattering into pieces, with water splashing.
    â€œAnd you’ve been saved how long?” Norman scolded her the same way Paige had scolded him earlier in the evening for almost slipping up and cussing.
    â€œYeah, but you scared the . . . You scared me, man,” Paige said, rolling her eyes. “You don’t know how to announce yourself when you enter a room, a quiet room, in the middle of the night?” She made her way over to the utility closet to retrieve the broom, dustpan, and some rags.
    â€œHere, I got it.” Norman took the items from Paige’s hand. “Sorry. I’m a bachelor. I’m used to just getting up in the middle of the night and entering a room without announcing myself. At least I’m not in my boxers. Or even worse.” He winked at Paige.
    â€œUgh,” she said at just imagining Norman in the buff. She shook her head and went to fix herself another glass of ice water. “You want a glass?”
    â€œSure.” Norman accepted her offer as he cleaned up the mess. By the time he was finished cleaning, Paige was finished preparing their drinks and had sat down at the kitchen table.
    Norman joined her after putting the cleaning supplies back into the closet and then washing his hands. “So, how do you feel?” Norman took a sip of his water as he awaited Paige’s response.
    â€œHonestly?”
    â€œSince when have I known you to bite your tongue and not be honest?”
    â€œI feel like killing myself.” Paige took a sip of her water as if she’d simply told Norman her favorite color was blue and not that she had thoughts of suicide.
    â€œWhat?” Norman gave Paige the “come again” look.
    â€œIn the short amount of time it took me to get from that couch”—she pointed—“to this kitchen, I truly thought about coming in here to get a knife to cut my wrist instead of a drink to quench my thirst.” Paige took in the look of horror on Norman’s face and let it die down before she continued. “What can I say? That’s just how quickly the devil can work on someone’s mind.” She took a drink of water.
    Cupping his hands around his glass, Norman thought for a second and then spoke. “Paige, honey, if you feel like that now, imagine how you are going to feel after, you know . . .”
    â€œAfter I kill my baby?” There was a sharpness to Paige’s tone.
    â€œI didn’t say that, Paige. Don’t put words in my mouth.”
    â€œI’m not putting words in your mouth. I’m taking the words out of your eyes. I see it in your eyes, Norman. Just say it. You think I’m a killer.”
    â€œI don’t think you are a killer. I don’t