The heavy weight on Peggy's chest was lifted as soon as Sue decided not to call the police. The anxiety was transformed into exhilaration and joy as Peggy started to wonder who the father was. She asked Sue excitedly, "My dear, tell me, is Anthony the baby's father?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" snapped Sue. She had just managed to get her mother off the topic of Anthony. With this pregnancy, she knew that her mother's secret hope that she and Anthony might get married someday had been rekindled. At the moment though, she didn't even want to hear his name, so she told Peggy, "Mom, I'm tired and need rest. Can you leave me alone for a while?"
"Not until you tell me the truth first," Peggy insisted, not willing to let go of the topic. She grabbed Sue's arm and latched on. refusing to let go.
"Get out!" Sue shouted, unable to tolerate her mother anymore. "Leave now before I call the police and tell them that you and your son assaulted me, to the point that I almost lost my baby. I wonder what the police will think about that and what action they will take."
"You..." Peggy sputtered. She was enraged by Sue's words. But Sue had hit on her weak spot, one of her biggest fears and she knew there was nothing she could do. Sue knew that Peggy would do anything to protect her son and herself, and therefore, sure enough, her words had the desired effect.
Reluctantly, Peggy left the room slowly, trying to figure out her next move. Judging from Sue's reaction, Peggy was confident that baby was indeed Anthony's. She couldn't let this golden opportunity slip away. But before that, she had to be 100% sure that he was the father. As soon as she left the room and was out of earshot, she took out her phone and gave Sheryl a call.
Sheryl was doing some work when the call lit up her phone. She glanced at her screen and was surprised to see Peggy's name. Even though she had never expected to receive a call from Peggy at that hour, she picked it up anyway. "Aunt Peggy? Why are you calling so late? Is everything okay?"
"Sher, I'm so sorry to bother you at this hour, I know it is already quite late." Peggy's words seemed almost sincere, although her tone said otherwise. All she wanted at the moment were answers.
"No, not at all," Sheryl answered politely. "What's the matter, Aunt Peggy? Has something happened to Sue?"
"You two really are close. You certainly know her well, almost better than I do." Peggy smiled bitterly. "In that case, I'll go straight to the point. Sher, please be honest with this old lady. What exactly is going on between Sue and Anthony? Are you sure they are just friends or is their relationship more than friends?"
"Aunt Peggy, what do you mean by that?" Sheryl asked curiously. Since she didn't know about the pregnancy, she didn't understand why Peggy was suddenly asking such questions and had no intention of divulging any information. Peggy seemed to sense Sheryl's hesitance and informed her, "Sher, please. This is important. Sue is pregnant."
Sheryl froze at those words. It took her a few long moments to recover her senses and she quizzed Peggy, "Where are you now?"
Smiling triumphantly, Peggy gave her the name of the hospital. Her plan was working! In less than twenty minutes, Sheryl arrived at the hospital.
Peggy rushed over to Sheryl as soon as she saw her, eager to find out who the father was for her own selfish reasons. She asked, "Sher, do you have any idea what happened? Sue says she doesn't even have a boyfriend. How can she suddenly be pregnant? You two are so close. You have to at least know something."
"Aunt Peggy, don't worry. Take a deep breath and we'll figure this out." Sheryl tried to comfort Peggy, even though she herself was both baffled and worried. She told her honestly, "I have no idea what happened either. Let me check on her. I want to see how she's doing. If she's okay, then I'll try to find out the truth from her."
"Okay, dear," Peggy agreed. Then she caught sight of the time and realized she should be leaving to check on things at home. She told Sheryl sheepishly, "You know, there's another pregnant woman waiting at home."
"No problem," Sheryl said with a nod. She understood instantly that Peggy wanted to go home so she could take care of Doris. "Aunt Peggy, you don't have to worry about Sue. I promise I will take good care of her. Just leave things to me. It is already very late, you should go home anyway."
"Sure, sure." Peggy beamed at Sheryl happily. She had said exactly what Peggy wanted to hear. "Well, I'll be off then. So sorry for troubling you. Do give me a call if there's any update."
"Don't worry, Aunt Peggy," Sheryl reassured Peggy again. As soon as Peggy was a safe distance away, Sheryl entered Sue's room. Sue was looking out the window, lost in her own thoughts. Hearing the door open, without even turning her head to see who it was, she shouted immediately, "Didn't I tell you to leave me alone? What is it now?"
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