by Pamela Yaye
Her cell phone rang. She opened it and read her newest text message. Can I call you?
Her throat dried. Just the thought of hearing Marcel’s voice made her heart pitter-patter. With trembling hands, she typed a single word in response. Nervous anticipation flowed through her as she rested her phone on the elongated oak table. It rang immediately.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” Snatching up her cell, she rose from her seat. Dominique glanced around for a quiet corner to talk. Family members filled every inch of the house, and children raced through the halls, shrieking and laughing. Outside the window, snowflakes sailed down from the sky. If it wasn’t twenty below outside, she’d go onto the porch to escape the crowd. Dominique put the phone to her ear and pushed out a shaky greeting. “Hello?”
“Hello, Dominique. How are you?”
She opened the door to her old bedroom and ducked inside. “I’m great, thanks.”
“I was just calling to wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving.” His voice floated across the line, tickling her ears. “Are you still at your mother’s house?”
“Yes, but as soon as I can figure out a way to escape, I’m out of here!”
Marcel chuckled, and so did she.
“What did you do to celebrate?” she asked. “Did you hang out with the guys?”
“No, I spent the day with Will and his family. I’m just leaving their house, but I wanted to phone you before it got too late. How are you feeling?”
“Morning sickness is kicking my butt,” she confessed. “It should be called 24/7 sickness, because I feel nauseous from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed.”
“Try eating fiber bars. My sister’s been pregnant three times, and she swears by them.”
“I’ll have to get some tomorrow.”
Dominique searched for something to say to fill the silence. Before she could ask Marcel about his graduate studies, he spoke again.
“Have you told your mom about the baby?”
“No, not yet,” she said, smoothing a hand over the flowered bedspread. “I’m waiting for everyone to leave.”
“What do you think she’ll say?”
She gave his question considerable thought. Tonight, her mother was in great spirits, but there was no way of knowing what her reaction would be. Her mom hated surprises and had become increasingly controlling since her father’s death. There was no telling what she’d do. But Dominique didn’t tell Marcel that. The less he knew about her family, the better. “She’ll be upset, but I know she’ll be supportive.”
“I meant what I said on Saturday. If you need me to be there, I will be.”
“Thanks, but this is something I have to do alone.” Thinking about how cheerful her mother had been all night made Dominique’s fears dissipate. “I’m sure I’m stressing myself out over nothing. Everything will be fine.”
“I respect your decision, but I want you to know the offer still stands.” His tone was soft, warm. “It’s good to hear your voice. I’ve thought about you a lot these past few days.”
A smile blossomed. “I’ve thought about you, too.”
“Can I stop by later?” He added, “This is not a booty call or anything of that nature. I just want to see how you’re doing.”
“I already told you that I’m okay.”
“Great, then you won’t mind me visiting.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re incredibly stubborn?”
“Once or twice.” He chuckled. “Dominique, I need to see you more than once a month. Our relationship is never going to grow if we don’t spend quality time together.”
“You make it sound like I don’t want to see you. I do, it’s just that I have a lot going on right now. I’m working two jobs, and that doesn’t leave me much free time.”
“When you said you wanted to keep things casual, I assumed it was because there was someone else. Is there?”
“No.” Dominique wandered over to the window and stared outside. Stars shed their light across the sky and lit the walkway for her relatives who were hustling toward their cars. “Marcel, you just got out of a serious relationship, and it would be a mistake for us to—”
“I’m not on the rebound.” His voice was firm, his tone convincing. “I wasn’t looking to get into another relationship or have a baby either, but it happened and I’m dealing with everything the best way I know how. The feelings I have for you are real, and I won’t let you discount them. I’ll call you in an hour, and if you’re up to it, I’ll stop by.”
After agreeing to touch base later, Dominique clicked off her phone and exited her old bedroom. Now she was even more anxious to go home. She needed to take a quick shower before Marcel came over, and she wanted to have something ready for him to eat.
When she returned to the living room, her family members were gathered in the foyer, exchanging hugs and kisses. “Good night, everyone. Get home safe!”
“What a lovely evening,” her mother said, closing the door and turning the lock. “You look tired, baby. Why don’t you just sleep here? I don’t like the idea of you driving across town at this time of night as it is.”
“Mom, I can’t. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.” Dominique smiled and slipped a hand over her mother’s shoulder. “I’ll stay and help you clean up.”
“Nonsense, that’s what I pay my housekeeper for. Now I’m going to fix you a cup of ginger tea. That’ll make you feel better.”
At the kitchen table, Dominique stared down aimlessly at her ceramic mug. Her mom chatted about this relative and that, sharing the latest family gossip as she moved around the kitchen. “You’ll never guess how much money your uncle Clive blew last month in Atlantic City. I almost fainted when Linda told me.”
Scared she’d lose her nerve if she waited any longer, Dominique took a deep breath and pushed the truth out of her mouth. “There’s no easy way to do this, so I am just going to come right out and say it. Mom, I’m pregnant.”
“Uncle Clive is a hundred thousand dollars in debt. Can you believe it? I feel real bad for Linda, but that’s what she gets for marrying a man with a gambling addiction. He’s been—”
“Mom, did you hear what I just said?”
Her mom flapped her hands as if she was swatting a pesky fly. “You couldn’t possibly be pregnant. You’re not married. You aren’t even seriously dating anyone.”
Dominique lowered her head. “Mom, it’s true.”
The room was cloaked in silence. Outside, the wind howled and tree branches scraped against the kitchen window, but Dominique could still hear her thundering heartbeat.
“How could you be so careless, Dominique? So irresponsible?”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“Are you trying to make me the laughingstock of our friends and family?” she raged, striking her hand on the countertop. “Do you know what this will do to my reputation? To my social standing? There will be a scandal when this gets out.”
“There isn’t going to be a scandal. I’m not a child, Mom. I’m a grown woman with a great career, a nice home and the love and support of her family.” As the words left her mouth, she prayed in her heart that they were true.
“I don’t give a damn how old you are. You’re having a baby out of wedlock, and that’s all people will care about. Please tell me he has plans to marry you.”
“His name’s Marcel Benoit, and he’s a graduate student at Seattle University. We’ve been dating casually since Labor Day weekend.”
“That’s it? He’s just a lover? Someone you’re having…intimate relations with?”
Dominique coughed to clear the shame from her throat. She’d never seen her mother so incensed and wondered if she’d made a mistake breaking the news to her alone.
“Where is his family from? What do his parents do?”
“Marcel was born in Mauritius, and he has been living here for the past five years.”
“He’s an immigrant?” The color drained from her chee
ks. “For all you know, he could have a wife and kids back in his home country. Immigrant men do this sort of thing all the time, you know.”
“Mom, you don’t even know him. Marcel is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and once he graduates in December he’ll have his pick of engineering jobs.” Her voice trembled with anger, but she made a point of saying, “If Marcel was married, he never would have asked me out. He isn’t the type to cheat, and there’s nothing more important to him than family. He’s a man of integrity, character and—”
“Is this your way of punishing me? Of getting back at me for pushing you to be the very best?” Mrs. King fired off another question before her daughter could recover from the last. “Have you told your sisters about this? Do they know?”
Dominique shook her head. “No, not yet.”
“Good, then you still have time to do something about it. You’re the oldest, and you’re supposed to be setting a good example for your sisters, not behaving in a reckless manner. I expected more from you, Dominique, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.”
Her mother’s words pelted her like bullets. Refusing to crumble, she lifted her head and tilted her chin upward. “I never planned for this to happen, and I didn’t do this to hurt you either. I know you’re upset, but I’m having this baby whether you like it or not.” Marcel’s words came back to her. “God doesn’t make mistakes. He blessed me with this baby, and I’m feeling very thankful right now.”
“How do you plan to support this baby? Do you have any idea how hard it is being a single mother?”
Dominique’s hands were shaking, but she forced herself to remain calm. “I’m more than capable of taking care of myself and the—”
“Just stop! Stop it right now! I don’t want to hear another word!”
Stunned by her mother’s outburst, Dominique sat in silence, contemplating whether or not to leave. “Calm down, Mom. Everything’s going to be all right.”
“God, what has my life become? My husband died, and since then everything’s gone to hell.” Sadness was etched on her face. “I have a daughter who’s getting divorced, another one who’s running her health into the ground and a third who’s pregnant. I’m never going to be able to show my face around the city again.”
Before she could respond, her mother spun on her heels and marched out of the kitchen. A second later, when Dominique heard a door slam upstairs, she wondered if her mother would ever be able to forgive her.
The tears in Dominique’s eyes burned so hot that she couldn’t steer her car in the right lane. Leaves blew across the road, as wild and as restless as the thoughts running through her mind. Turning into the driveway, she narrowly missed knocking over the recycling bins standing at the curb. Dominique turned off the engine and sat in her seat, waiting for her head to clear.
Beside her on the passenger seat, her cell phone buzzed. It had been ringing nonstop since she left her mother’s house, but Dominique made no moves to answer it. It was probably Taryn or Jenna phoning, and that could only mean one thing: her mother had told them about the baby. Sadness fell over her like an invisible cloak, but she rejected feelings of hurt and despair. It didn’t matter how many people her mom rallied over to her side. She was having this baby, and there was nothing anyone could say or do to change her mind.
Dominique lowered her face into her palms. She didn’t have the energy to get out of the car, much less walk inside the house. Her mother’s words played over and over in her mind, wounding her afresh each time. Her lips twitched as the first tear slid down her cheek. Fighting to regain control, she closed her eyes and breathed slowly, deeply, until the pain in her chest receded.
There was a sharp knock on the window. The sound startled her, but it was the sight of Marcel striding at the hood of her car that caused her to gasp. Using the sleeve of her jacket, she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks and straightened her clothes. Smoothing a hand over her hair, she wondered what Marcel was doing lurking around her property.
Marcel opened the door. Crouching down beside her, he gathered her up in his arms. “Everything’s going to be okay, Dominique. I promise you. We’ll get through this together.”
That did it. His words of comfort pushed Dominique over the edge. More tears came, and soon she was crying on his shoulder. His touch soothed her, but it was the gentle texture of his voice that stilled her fears. She had never broken down like this before, but her mother’s rejection cut deep. Dominique had always prided herself on being strong, but she couldn’t control her emotions—not when Marcel was holding her and stroking the back of her head.
Her vision was blurry, but she felt his arms around her, lifting her up out of the car and leading her up the driveway. Dominique heard keys jingle and knew that Marcel had unlocked the door and pushed it wide open.
Composing herself, she willed the tears to stop. Needing space, she pulled out of his embrace and walked into the living room. After flipping on the lights, she crossed the room and sank into her favorite chair. Dominique heard Marcel’s footsteps in the hallway but didn’t dare look at him—not after she’d broken down and cried her heart out. “What are you doing here, Marcel? I thought we agreed that I’d call you later.”
“I got worried when you didn’t answer your phone and decided to come check on you,” he explained. “I won’t ask how things went with your mother. You look devastated.”
Dominique forced the truth past her lips. “My mom doesn’t want me to have the baby.” Staring down at her trembling hands, she waited for the wave of sadness to pass before she continued. “She said that I’d bring shame to the family and tarnish my father’s memory.”
“I’m sure she didn’t mean it. Your mother’s shocked and angry that you’re—”
“You don’t know her, Marcel. She meant every word.” His eyes expanded, and his face filled with alarm. Dominique didn’t know if it was because of what she’d said or the harshness of her tone. “If I have this baby, there’s a good chance that my mother will never speak to me again. I’m single, and although I’m doing well financially, she’s scared of what her friends at the country club will think.”
“Does that mean you’re thinking of…of…”
“No, I’d never do that. I’m having this baby,” she vowed, meeting his gaze.
His shoulders relaxed, and his smile returned. “You know, there’s something we can do to put your mother’s mind at ease. We could go down to city hall tomorrow and—”
“Marcel, please. Getting married isn’t and will never be an option.”
“Will you at least hear me out?” He crossed the room and sat down beside her. “My parents got married after their third date and were happily married for thirty-plus years. We can do this, Dominique. I know we can make this work.”
“You just got out of a relationship,” she pointed out. “Your pride took a serious hit when Sarita broke things off, and now you’re trying to use me to fill that void.”
“Is that what you think? That I’m using you?”
“We’ve only known each other for a couple of months. What would people say if we got married?” Dominique winced. She’d just quoted her mother, and when Marcel narrowed his eyes she knew she’d said the wrong thing. “All I’m saying is let’s not rush into anything.”
“I think it’s a little late for that, Dominique. You’re carrying my child.”
“That doesn’t mean we should get hitched. I like my life the way it is, and I don’t think I ever want to get married again.”
Marcel looked upset, but he spoke to her softly. “I didn’t come here to upset you or to add to your stress,” he said, taking her hands. “I’ll drop the issue for now, as long as you promise to do a couple of things for me. First, I want you to call your mom and try talking to her again.”
“No way. Not after the way she spoke to me.”
“Dominique, you’re going to need your mother now more than ever, and I’d feel better knowing that we had a
ll of our friends and family on board.”
His suggestion was met with silence. Then, after a long moment, she said, “I’ll think about it. What was the second thing you wanted me to do?”
“Take yourself off the market.”
“Take myself off the market?” she repeated, frowning at him. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I want us to be exclusive. I don’t want you dating other guys or seeing anyone else but me. If you want to go out for dinner, or to the movies—” he pointed a thumb at his chest “—I’m your man. I want us to get to know each other, and we can’t do that if you’re out with other guys.”
“Marcel, don’t tell me what to do,” she snapped, surging to her feet. Dominique felt as if she was back in her mother’s kitchen. For the second time that night, someone was telling her what to do, and it was infuriating. “I don’t take kindly to orders, and if you want us to get along for here on out, I suggest you revise your approach.”
He stood, walked over to where she was standing and placed a hand on her waist. “I’m sorry, Dominique. That didn’t come out right. All I want is a chance to prove to you that we could work, and I don’t want to have to compete with anyone else for your time.”
Dominique took in a breath—a deep breath that cleared her mind and stamped out every other thought she had. Moved by the sincerity of his words, she allowed Marcel to hold her. He spoke with passion and conviction, as if he was delivering a speech on the steps of Capitol Hill, and Dominique found herself soaking up every word. He had strong feelings about what they should do, and he wasn’t afraid to speak from his heart. That touched her deeply, in a profound way that made it impossible to be angry at him. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s been a long day, and I’m tired.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.” He spoke very softly into her ear. “Sometimes I come on too strong, but I hope you know that my heart is in the right place. You’re right. We haven’t known each other long, but you’re important to me. I want us to have a future together because I’m crazy about you and I think we’d make a great team.”
