Free With Me by Gabbie S. Duran

with my answer.
    Ashley looks over at me. “Kasey, don’t listen to him. He’s just being a grouch because he says I make too many demands now that I’m pregnant,” Ashley says, glaring back at Mark demanding he stay silent.
    “I think I would’ve taken full advantage of it as well if I had the chance,” I mumble.
    Joseph reaches for my hand under the table, squeezing it gently. “I’m sorry, Kasey,” he quietly says to me, regret clear in his eyes.
    The expression on his face when he said it makes me realize how misguided and rude my comments must have sounded to them.
    “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. It was very rude of me,” I guiltily say as I hang my head in shame. I really should think before I speak.
    I’m instantly distracted from my thought when I hear Josephina ask, “Mommy, may I go play the video game again for a little bit before we go home, please?” Her sweet little voice breaks the awkward silence drifting through the room.
    “Yes, you may,” I reply.
    She gets up from the table, excited, and heads to the living room area to continue playing the video game. As much as I want to leave already, to avoid any further embarrassment, I don’t want to deny her request.
    Mark quickly gets up to follow close behind her, with Ashley starting to remove the remaining dishes from the table, leaving Joseph and I alone. I can already feel the awkwardness between us as he continues to hold my hand with his. He’s staring directly at me now, with the same smile from earlier. The one that makes me ignite with excitement all over when he looks at me that way. Just as I’m about to say something, I hear singing coming from his back pocket, clearly obvious his cell phone is ringing.
    He gently lets go of my hand, reaching for his phone with a scowl forming on his face. “Sorry, I have to take this. Will you excuse me, please?” he says, already standing up from the table as he walks away without waiting for my response.
    My eyes follow him as he makes his way to the backyard through a set of double French doors. I get up to head into the living area to join everyone else, wanting some sort of company while he’s gone.
    Twenty minutes later I notice Josephina starting to rub her eyes as she continues to play. I know it’s a sign she is growing tired. I glance back in the direction of the doors that Joseph disappeared through and I can only see his silhouette by the door, pacing back and forth.
    I know it’s best to start heading home before it gets any later. “Josephina, I think it’s time we get going, sweetheart. It’s past your bedtime,” I inform her, earning me a small whine in return. Her protest at first is expected, but when Ashley tells her that she can come back, anytime she wants, it helps convince her to leave.
    Standing up to take Josephina’s hand, I thank Mark and Ashley for dinner and start walking to the front door. I can’t resist taking one quick glance back in the direction of the backyard for Joseph. Mark notices, immediately saying, “I’ll go get him,” before quickly walking to the backdoors without hesitation.
    Josephina and I wait by the front doors and within minutes, a distressed looking Joseph emerges with Mark from the backyard. He walks over to us with a forced smile on his face.
    “I’m sorry about that. I had to take that phone call. I didn’t think it would be that long,” he apologizes.
    Ashley simply groans, but Mark’s lips go flat as if he’s not happy with Joseph’s apology. “I’m sorry we have to leave, but it’s past Josephina’s bedtime and I’d really like to get her home to bed.”
    He doesn’t hide his disappointment, but doesn’t argue as he walks us to the car. Quickly buckling Josephina in, she immediately starts to close her eyes; her exhaustion taking over as her head tilts to the side and falls asleep.
    “She must be really tired,” I hear Joseph say behind me, startling me.
    Turning to face him, I nod my head in