It's Only Make Believe

by Roseanne Dowell

  “Anna, something smells divine, but I’m not sure my stomach is going to handle all these spicy foods.”

  The look on Anna’s face told Michele she guessed her secret. “It only smells spicy, Missy. Besides the Mister is coming home, I’ll make you something else if you want.”

  Michele turned away. What did Anna say? Brad was coming home? “Did Brad call, Anna?”

  “Yes, Missy, he call a few minutes ago, said he’s at the airport, is on his way home.”

  Michele’s stomach did a quick flip flop. Brad was on his way home. How was she going to tell him? She went into the dining room. Anna had set the table with the good linen tablecloth and china. At least that’s how her mother referred to them, but Michele hated the gaudy dishes, next thing on her list to get rid of. The big red flowers trimmed in gold did nothing for her, let alone her appetite. Anna came in and put two candles on the table. She grinned at Michele.

  “You tell the Mister tonight. He has a right to know.”

  Michele’s cheeks grew hot and the blush crept down to her neck. “What? How...?” Words escaped her.

  “Is hard not to know with the way you been acting, Missy. All the signs are there.”

  Michele laughed and hugged Anna. “You know too much, my friend.”

  Anna squeezed Michele and pushed her away. “Go get ready for the Mister.”

  Michele hurried upstairs. She changed into a summery sun dress, ran a comb through her hair and freshened up her lipstick. She turned sideways in front of the mirror. Did her tummy already have a bulge to it? Nah, it must be her imagination. A car door slammed and she hurried downstairs to meet Brad.

  The door opened as she started down the stairs. Ruby came in next to Brad.

  Half way down the steps Michele paused, her foot midair. Ruby looked so sheik in a pastel green suit. She stood next to Brad with an air of possessiveness. Neither of them saw her.

  “This is such a beautiful house. I love the marble floor and the white carpeting. I’d give just about anything to live in a house like this.” Ruby all but gushed.

  The look on Ruby’s face spoke volumes. She wanted this house. Wanted Brad. Michele shivered. Her foot missed the next step, and she tumbled down the stairs. Brad ran to her side.

  “Michele, are you all right? No don’t move, let’s make sure nothing’s broken.”

  Heat rushed into her face. What a klutz. Brad’s eyes showed concern. He ran his hand along her ankle and up her leg causing a sensation Michele had only experienced once before, the morning after their wedding.

  “I’m okay.” Michele tried to ease herself up. “Oh,” she groaned, “my ankle I think I sprained it.”

  “Hold still, let’s make sure nothing else is wrong.”

  Anna ran out from the kitchen. “Is Missy okay? What happened?”

  “She fell down the steps.” Brad continued to move his hand along Michele’s body. She loved the feel of him. Too bad he was checking for injuries, she’d much rather he take her to bed.

  “Ahem.” Ruby cleared her throat. “The contracts, we have to work on them, remember.”

  Why had Brad brought Ruby home to work with him? In their house? Michele didn’t like the way Ruby stood next to him, her hand on his shoulder. Her sneering look sent shivers up Michele’s spine aside from the ones Brad caused. Such a taunting look.

  Michele sat up. “I’m okay, Brad, I think I just sprained my ankle. Anna, bring me some ice. If you’ll just help me to the chair, I’ll put it up. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  Brad took the car keys from his pocket and shoved them at Ruby. “Obviously we can’t work tonight. Take my car. I’ll meet you in the office early in the morning. We’ll go over the contracts then.”

  “But Brad, Edgehurst said...”

  Brad held up his hand to silence Ruby’s protest. “The hell with Edgehurst, I have to take Michele to the hospital. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Anna can take her, we have work to do.”

  The look on Ruby’s face told Michele she wasn’t going to give up that easy.

  “I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the hospital.” Just what she didn’t need to do. If Brad took her to the hospital, she’d have to tell them she was pregnant. She didn’t want Brad to find out that way. She looked at Anna for some kind of help, reassurance, something, anything, she wasn’t sure what.

  “I can’t take Missy to the hospital. I have appointment. I have to leave.” Anna untied her apron and hurried to the kitchen. But not before Michele caught the grin that told her no way was she playing into Ruby’s hand.

  Brad put his hand on Ruby’s shoulder and opened the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He nudged her out the door and closed it behind her.

  Michele would have given anything to see the look on Ruby’s face.

  Anna came back into the room. “Dinner is ready if you want to eat before you go to hospital.”

  Michele wanted to kiss her. It’d give her a chance to tell Brad.

  “Good idea, Anna, I’m starved. And really I’m okay Brad. I’m sure my ankle is just sprained.” She put her hand on her stomach and hoped everything was okay with the baby. Maybe she should have things checked out. She didn’t want to take any chances. Even though she felt okay it was always better to be safe than sorry.

  “If you’re sure.” Brad’s face showed his concern.

  He was sending mixed signals. When she first saw him come in with Ruby she wondered if she’d ever be able to tell him, but now his attentiveness and consideration and the way he sent Ruby home gave her some hope.

  “Just help me to the table okay?”

  Brad put his arm around her, lifted her up, and carried her to the dining room.

  Michele, caught off guard, fell against him and threw her arms around his neck. Brad pulled her close against him. She tightened her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes.

  Brad’s gaze locked on hers, and he stood like that for a moment, just holding her. God, it felt good in his arms. She wished he didn’t have to set her down. His lips looked too inviting to resist. Suddenly, he lowered his mouth to hers. Her mouth opened slightly, inviting a much deeper kiss then she intended. Her hunger didn’t include food. He responded, pulling closer. She ran her fingers through his hair. In about two seconds she was going to suggest he carry her upstairs and the heck with dinner or the hospital. He finally pulled away and set her on the chair. “We better eat before Anna gets on us,” he said.

  Michele took her napkin and put it on her lap, avoiding Brad’s eyes. What just happened here? Brad’s kiss held so much promise. For a minute she thought he was going to turn around and take her upstairs without her asking. If only he had. Then she could tell him about the baby after they made love. But for some reason he set her down. Why?

  “I’m going to leave now...if you don’t need anything else, okay?” Anna put the last serving bowl on the table.

  Michele looked at the twinkle in Anna’s eyes. She loved that woman. “Thank you, Anna this is fine. Goodnight.”

  “Smells delicious, Anna, thanks. You have a good evening.”

  ***

  Michele smelled delicious and he liked the idea of having dinner with his wife for a change. What had he been thinking bring Ruby home to work? But it beat working at the office again and having another restaurant dinner. Besides, he had wanted to see Michele. If Ruby hadn’t insisted he wouldn’t have been working at all tonight. Those contracts could wait until morning. He couldn’t wait until this deal was done, then he’d take that promotion and spend more time with Michele. He missed his wife. Missed their long conversations, missed their lovemaking.

  He looked at Michele sitting across from him. When had he fallen in love with her? They hardly spent any time together. Hell, maybe he’d always loved her. Maybe that’s why he agreed to the marriage so quickly. Why hadn’t he courted her properly? Why let his parents set it up. Maybe because he was afraid she wouldn’t go out with him otherwise. Never had a woman affe
cted him this way. He’d never been afraid to ask them out. Of course many of them his parents set up. It even earned him the title of being a ladies’ man. Not that he cared much. He wasn’t look for anything permanent. At least he wasn’t until he got together with Michele.

  ***

  “Pass the rice, please.” Michele’s voice broke into his thoughts.

  “Brad, I... uh...”

  Brad set his fork down. Something was going on. Michele hadn’t touched a bite of her food, and she said she was starved. He waited for her to go on. Something was on her mind, bothering her. He looked at her, waited. It wasn’t like Michele to stutter, hold back. She always spoke her mind, ever since he could remember. Even as a kid tagging along after him. So why now?

  “Brad, someone kidnapped Makayla.”

  “Kidnapped! When, what happened? Poor Louise. Does Mark know?” My God, no wonder Michele was upset. She had grown quite attached to Louise. “Did she call the police?”

  “This morning, she was taking her shower and someone came in and took the baby right out of her crib. Louise is beside herself of course. They left a note saying to follow the instructions, but they didn’t leave any instructions. Of course they said no police. Louise came here, and I called Joe Kirby, who in turn called his friend Detective Williams. They’re being very discreet.” Michele paused to take a breath.

  “Do they have any suspects? Any ideas at all, poor Louise. Did she call Mark?”

  “Louise thought Patrick O’Neil had something to do with it. But I’m sure he didn’t. I had an appointment with Jane today, she’s beside herself too. She’s been meeting Mark and Louise once a week for lunch, and she’s been trying to change Patrick’s mind. He came home while I was there. Apparently Mark called and accused him. He went crazy. I think deep down he wants to know his grandchild, but his pride won’t let him. I have a feeling once they find her, he’ll relent. Jane gave it to him good this afternoon.”

  “I can only imagine how they must feel. Poor Mikayla, I hope she’s okay.” This was tearing Michele apart. Her face went from concern and compassion to something filled with terror, almost as if it were here child missing. She felt Louise’s pain. They had never discussed having children, why would they? Their marriage was only supposed to last for a year. They didn’t have the normal discussions most engaged couples had where they discussed important issues such as when to have children or how many. They had never even discussed birth control. He had no idea if Michele was taking anything. He just assumed she was.

  Suddenly it hit him. That day at the Kirby’s when she got so sick. Even now she looked pale and green around the edges. And she picked at her food, even though she said she was starved. Could she be? Surely she’d tell him, wouldn’t she? Nah, he must be reading something that wasn’t there. Heck they’d only made love a handful of times. He didn’t even sleep with her half the time when he was home. Not because he didn’t want to, that first time he came in so late and so drunk, he didn’t want her to see him that way so he slept in the guest room. She didn’t seem to mind. In fact she seemed fine with it. Besides, if he went to her bed he’d wake her. He couldn’t just lie down beside her and not touch her. Still, she’d never refused his advances, never turned him away. Maybe it was a practice he should stop.

  Michele wasn’t the type to invite him into her bed even though she wasn’t shy about most things. Funny, his outgoing wife seemed a bit shy about their lovemaking.

  He loved the way her curls framed her face, loved the dimple in her chin. He even loved the way her brow furrowed when she was deep in thought like now, but he especially loved the way she responded to his touch and the way her eyes glistened when she looked at him. In fact, he loved everything about her. “Would you like something to drink? Wine? Coffee? More ice for your foot?”

  “Ice water.”

  “Coming right up.” Ice water, Michele didn’t usually drink ice water. Maybe she was pregnant. Her hurried to the kitchen.

  ***

  Michele didn’t feel the least bit like eating, but since she pretended to be starved she had to make an effort. She had to get the conversation around to the baby. Darn this wasn’t how she wanted to tell him. She wanted him back in her bed first. She put a spoonful of rice on her plate and picked at her dinner. If only he hadn’t brought Ruby home. What was he thinking? Couldn’t he bear to be away from the woman? Michele moved her dinner around on her plate, her appetite gone.

  This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. She had planned a romantic evening, wanted to make love, wanted to feel loved. Oh Lord, what a mess she got herself into this time. Brad had eaten ravenously, apparently nothing wrong with his appetite. She’d tried to bring up the baby, but told him about Mikayla instead.

  Funny, how quiet little Jane had reamed Patrick out. Obviously the woman had more brains than Patrick, and as only a mother can protect her children, she’d had enough. Michele couldn’t imagine sneaking around meeting her son or daughter behind her husband’s back. But she also knew nothing, including her husband, could get in the way of her child’s happiness. If Brad acted like that, she swore she’d leave him. But would Brad even be around to see their child grow up?

  What was he thinking? The stranger who sat across from her. His concern when she told him about Mikayla didn’t surprise her. But the extent of his concern did. He didn’t really know Louise or Mark and had only seen Mikayla a couple of times. It touched something deep inside her. Should she tell him when he came back? She put her hand on her stomach. The thought of a new life growing inside her brought tears to her eyes. Their baby, hers and Brad’s, she loved it already. Would he suggest they stay married? Michele wanted that, but not because of the baby. She wanted him to love her, for herself.

  And what about Ruby? Would that woman always interfere in their life? Could Michele really believe nothing was going on between them? Could she trust Brad to keep his word about remaining faithful? She wanted to, but every time she saw them together doubts intervened. Ruby’s words haunted her. And the looks Ruby threw her. No, as much as she wanted to, she couldn’t tell Brad, at least not yet.

  He came in and set her water down just as his cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts.

  “Hello...what now? I can’t Ruby, I told you I’d meet you in the morning. We’ll go over them in my office. What? Yes, I’ll be there early”

  Michele heard Ruby’s voice but couldn’t make out what she was saying. Brad seemed agitated. Had she ruined their evening?

  “No, we didn’t go to the hospital yet. We’re going after dinner. What? Goodnight, Ruby.” He flipped down the lid and tossed it on the table and looked at her. “Sometimes that woman drives me straight up the wall.”

  Sometimes, ha, she drove Michele up the wall all the time. Her phone calls came at the most inconvenient times. Should she go to the hospital?

  Her stomach cramped as if in answer. She couldn’t take the chance not to, her baby was at stake. But that meant she had to tell Brad, or did she? Could she tell the doctors about the baby when he wasn’t there? No, he was bound to find out. “Brad, I...uh... Oh God, this is so hard.”

  Brad got up and went to her. He knelt down next to her and turned her head toward him with his thumb. “What’s wrong, Michele?”

  “I’m pregnant.” Best just to say it, get it over with. There was no way to sugar coat it, no romantic gesture, just tell him.

  “Pregnant?” Brad stood up pushed his hands through his hair and turned in a circle. “Pregnant!”

  Michele wasn’t sure what to make of his reaction. Dear God, please don’t let him be upset, don’t let him tell me to get an abortion. She couldn’t handle that. Suddenly he laughed.

  “That’s fantastic.” He knelt down next to her again, took her face between his hands. “Isn’t it?” He stood, looked at her and turned in a circle again. “How...I mean... when are you due? Are you okay? Is that why you were so sick at Joe and Linda’s? When did you find out? Why didn’t you tell me?”

&nb
sp; Tears stung her eyes, and she couldn’t hold them back. Thank God, he liked the idea. In fact he seemed ecstatic.

  “I just found out. I’m due in March. Yes, I’m okay and yes that’s why I was so sick. I planned to tell you tonight after...” She caught herself. She couldn’t tell him she wanted to make love. At least not yet, their relationship was still too new. She was too unsure. But at least he wasn’t angry about the baby.

  ***

  Brad went to the kitchen. This called for a toast. He pulled a bottle of wine from the cooler. Stupid, she couldn’t have wine. He looked around the kitchen for something else. The heck with it. She said after… After what? He went back to the dining room.

  “March that’s still almost...” he counted his fingers. “Almost seven months away that’s like forever. Are you sure you’re okay? Have you been to the doctor?” Of course she has. How else would she know when the baby was due? He was babbling but he couldn’t help it. How long had she known, why hadn’t she told him before now?

  A baby, his. He was going to be a father. He hadn’t planned on it, hadn’t even thought about it. But he liked the idea. He always wanted kids, had envied his friends who had kids. But he had never found the woman he wanted to share them with. At least not until now. The idea appealed to him and he couldn’t think of a better mother for his children than Michele.

  Maybe their parents had been right. A shiver ran through him. Did their parents know them better than they knew themselves? They only wanted what was best for them. He just wished they were a little less controlling. Let him make his own decisions. He probably would have proposed to Michele eventually, once they threw them together, if they hadn’t pushed him into it. He would have liked to plan their wedding together and picked out their own house and furniture. And these ugly dishes had to go. He hoped Michele agreed. Funny this was the first time they ate on the good dishes. He wondered whose idea it was Michele’s or Anna’s.