Free Hannah's Dream by A.L. Jambor, Lenore Butler Page B

and she knew how to please a man.  He became a regular customer and the more she saw him, the more she loved him.  She had become careless.  She was again in the family way.
    "Is that all?" Agnes said.
    Mrs. Porter nodded in Mr. Ross's direction and Agnes returned to his lap.
    After spending the night with Agnes, Mr. Ross left before dawn so he would be home when his children woke on Christmas morning.  Agnes slept for a little while, then she got up and dressed, including her coat and hat.  She looked at herself in the mirror, making sure every hair was in place, then she left her room.
    The house was quiet as she tiptoed down the stairs.  It was half-past eleven.  She went out the door and down the walkway to the street.  She knew Pierre stayed at a small hotel when she couldn't have him overnight.  She moved quickly to keep warm.
    There was no one on the street.  Everyone was home for the holiday.  The hotel came into view.  As she drew nearer, she saw Pierre come out of the hotel and head toward the beach.  She hurried her steps but he was too far ahead.  She called to him, but the wind and the distance made it impossible for him to hear her.
    She followed him to the beach and watched him trudge through the sand.  She knew he liked to go to the beach and enjoyed it best when it was empty.  He liked to walk alone.  He was heading for the rocks.  The rocks went out into the water for several feet. She wondered why he would go there since the water was rough and the waves were crashing over them.
    "What's he thinking?" she said.
    She stopped and called to him.  He didn't hear her.  He was looking out to sea.  If she wanted to talk to him, she would have to climb onto those rocks.  She hesitated.  She could wait until he came down.  It was so cold.  The water didn't seem so rough now.  It was one of those lulls that lure you in then suddenly pull you under.  But Agnes didn't think about that.  She wanted to talk to Pierre.
    She pulled herself up on the first rock.  It wasn't too wet.  She called to Pierre.  The wind was loud.  She stood looking at the waves.  They were at the base of the rocks.
    She took a step forward.  He had walked to the halfway point and stopped.  Maybe he would turn and see her.  He was looking at the sea.  She took another step.
    "Pierre," she called.
    Still he didn't turn.  The water seemed calm.  She took another step.  A gust of wind hit her side, but she kept her balance.
    "Not for long," she said thinking of her pregnant belly to come.  She'd have gone right over if she was big with child.
    I'll wait for him, she thought.  She turned and began to take a walk back to the beach.  That's when he turned and saw her.
    "Agnes," he cried.
    She didn't hear him.  He began walking back to the beach, moving as quickly as he could.  She was creeping along the rocks, afraid she might fall.  When he was closer, he called to her again.  This time she heard him and turned around.  He was walking toward her.  She smiled.  He waited until he was near her before speaking.  He was holding his hat and the wind blew his hair into his face.
    "What are you doing here?" he said.
    "I have to tell you something, but I don't want you to be mad."
    "Just tell me, Agnes," he said.
    "I'm having a baby," she said.
    "So what is that to me?" he said.
    "It's yours!" she cried.
    "There is no way to prove it is mine.  You are a slut.  It could be anyone's."
    A wave appeared from nowhere and crashed over the rocks.  It soaked the bottom of her dress and Pierre's shoes.
    She cursed and narrowed her eyes.  "It's yours.  You're the only one I let do...I know it's yours."
    Another wave crashed over the rocks.
    "Can we please get off of here?" she said.
    He nodded and they began to walk back to the beach.  A large wave hit the rocks and this time it knocked them both into the water.  Agnes was struggling to keep her head above the water.  Her heavy dress was impeding her as she