Story Sample: Finding Euphoria by C. Becker

He turned the bottle around in his hand and set it on the end table. “Don’t put me in this position. You know what would happen. Grace is his mother. She’s the one who needs to stay with him.”

Regret tugged at her heart. “I wouldn’t take any time away from her.”

Parker groaned. “Just you being there would make her feel uncomfortable.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“But I’ve stayed away for seventeen years,” she whispered.

“That was the adoption arrangement.”

She bit her lip. “I can’t stay away any longer.”

“You agreed to those terms in the contract. You terminated all parental rights.” Parker stood and paced to the kitchen.

“But it’s not fair!” She put down her water and began wringing her hands.

Straightening his arms, he leaned against the bar. “Hailey, please don’t start. I know how you feel…”

“You couldn’t possibly know how I feel. I need to see him.” She fought to control the bitterness in her voice.

“No.”

She rose, knocking over the water bottle. “He’s my son!”

“Not anymore, he isn’t.”

The rebuke stung. “He’ll always be my son!”

“When you gave him up, you promised to keep your distance.”

“I have.”

“Forever.”

The reminder lanced her heart. “You’re being unfair. He’s dying.”

He slammed his fist on the bar. “Don’t say that. He can’t die.” Parker pushed himself up and stomped near the window, raising his hands to rest on top of his head as he faced the curtain.

A muscle twitched in her hand. Her knees buckled. She sat on the edge of the couch, wringing her hands. “I was young. I couldn’t give Justin the life he deserved. I’m not asking to take him back. I only want to see him.”

Rubbing his jaw, he walked back to the couch and sat. The hard lines on his face softened. “The adoption papers were clear. No contact.” He placed his hands on top of hers and stilled them. “If the decision was mine, I would allow it, but Grace would lose it if she found out you’re Justin’s biological mother.”

Her hands squeezed into tight fists. The urge was unbearable. “I wouldn’t tell her.”

Parker ran a hand through his hair. “Argh! Don’t you understand? She’d take one look at your face and know the truth. Don’t forget, you’re the one who wanted us to protect him.”

She stood. “Well, you did a hell of a fine job, didn’t you? You divorced Grace and deserted him.

Parenting takes sacrifice, Parker. You were too busy changing careers, and now he’s messed up with drugs. How did that protect him?”

Standing, he reached for her.

“No. You stay away from me.” She extended her hands and backed up a step. “Justin’s dying! Dying, Parker! And I don’t know him…You won’t let me see my own son.”

He wrapped his arms around her.

She pushed him, pummeling her fists against his chest with all her strength.

He silently took his beating.