Free Flaws and All by Shana Burton Page A

said Lawson.
    â€œBaby, if this is about Saturday night, it’s cool. You were right. We don’t need to rush into anything. We love each other, and you, me, and Namon are a family. That’s all that matters.” The women exchanged ominous glances that Garrett picked up on immediately. “You’re acting strange. What’s going on here?”
    Angel was the first to rise. “I think we better get out of here so they can talk.”
    Reginell followed suit. “Yeah. See you later, sis.”
    Sullivan leaned down and gave Lawson a quick hug. “Call me when you get everything figured out.”
    Kina squeezed Lawson’s hand. “Think about what I said. He has a right to know.” They all filed out quietly, leaving Lawson alone with Garrett.
    Garrett took a seat next to Lawson. “Okay, what’s wrong? This seems serious.”
    â€œIt is,” she confessed. “I ran into Mark today.”
    â€œMark who?”
    â€œMark Vinson.” She paused. “Namon’s biological father.”
    â€œAre you serious?”
    Lawson nodded.
    Garrett slumped down into the sofa, blown away. “Was it just a coincidence, or has he been looking for you?”
    â€œCoincidence. He works at North Central.”
    â€œDid he say anything to you?”
    â€œWe spoke for a minute, but I don’t think he had any idea who I was.”
    â€œHow do you feel about that?”
    She sighed. “I’m relieved. The less he remembers about that night, the better.”
    â€œWhy? I mean, you are gonna tell him about Namon, aren’t you?”
    â€œI wasn’t planning on it, not unless it becomes absolutely necessary.”
    â€œLawson, the man is Namon’s father.”
    â€œSo what? What contribution has Mark made to Namon’s life that I couldn’t have gotten from the local sperm bank?”
    â€œThat doesn’t matter. He still has a right to know—they both do.”
    â€œWho cares about Mark’s rights?”
    â€œA judge might, for one.”
    â€œWhat about my rights? I’ve been raising Namon by myself since I was in high school. Don’t I have the right to protect him and make sure he’s well adjusted? Don’t I have the right to decide who should and shouldn’t be a part of his life? It’s not only my right, Garrett; it’s my duty as his mother.”
    â€œIt’s Mark’s duty, too, as his father.”
    Lawson jumped up, her temper flaring. “Just whose side are you on?”
    Garrett held her. “Yours. You don’t even have to ask me that.”
    â€œThen act like it,” she replied coldly. “You said that you wanted to adopt Namon. Do you honestly think that Mark would just sign him over to you if he knew the truth?”
    â€œI don’t know what he might do, but we both know there has to be a public notice put in the paper about the adoption petition. He’s bound to find out sooner or later.”
    â€œWell, I’m praying for later .”
    â€œIt’s already been thirteen years. How much more time do you need?”
    â€œAs long as it takes to protect my child. Who knows how Mark will react once he finds out we have a teenage son together?”
    â€œKeeping quiet would be fine if Mark was off somewhere never to be seen or heard from again, but he’s here, Lawson. You don’t have much of a choice.”
    Lawson paced the floor as she contemplated her next move. “There’s another alternative to telling Mark about Namon, and it might be the only way out of this.” She entwined her hands with his. “We can leave.”
    Garrett exhaled. “ Leave ? Lawson, you can’t be serious.”
    â€œI am!” she affirmed. She squeezed his hands and stated emphatically, “Baby, let’s do it! Let’s get married, take Namon, and get as far away from here as we can.”
    â€œAnd leave your home, this new job, your