When she told me that the teachers in the district were being sent on a convention to discuss new ways to interest kids in learning this or that, I sa...d "Have a good time and I hope you learn something worthwhile." It never once entered my mind that she might be unfaithful. It wasn't even a dim suspicion, not even a far off possibility.It wasn't until I got the envelope on my desk at work that I began to suspect something.It was a bright June Tuesday. Shantella was gone on another of her. I estimated that it would take at least eleven months to complete the building and get it outfitted, ready for use. That required me to work consistently six days a week so there was not much margin for error. However when the board discussed the schedule, they thought I was being too ambitious and should take a little longer. Besides a fifteen month schedule would come closer to matching the schedule when they could collect money from the state and federal units that would be supporting the. ‘Just once,’ he confirmed bitterly. Nina let out a long breath, relieved. ‘So, it would be easy to calculate how far along she is.’ ‘I don’t know,’ he repeated. ‘Why wouldn’t she want you at the doctor appointments?’ Nina asked. ‘I don’t know,’ he said again, sounding impatient. Nina gave a start as some horrible thoughts occurred to her. She blurted the words before she could tell herself not to. ‘Gavin – are you sure she’s really pregnant?’ Or that you’re the father if she is? she added. Mike commented to her on more than one occasion, as he paid the rent, that she was still a very attractive woman, seeming to flirt with her every time he saw her, and could tell that she was flattered. He was able to pay most of the utilities in small increments to her from the weekly paycheck he now received, but he was still falling behind with the rent. Several weeks ago, she came to his trailer and said that they would need to come to some arrangement if he was going to continue renting.