by Marsh Brooks
##
When Isabel reached home, the light on her answering machine was blinking. She had two messages. She was about to play her messages when the phone rang. It was Lucy.
She picked up the phone.
“Hi Lucy.”
“How was your day?” Lucy asked
“So, so,” Isabel answered. “Doing therapy and talking to a patient of Tia Marcia.” Isabel tried to sound normal, but Lucy could sense that something was not right.
“How was therapy?”
“Good. The doctor said I was making great progress.”
“Who was that Tia Marcia's patient that you talked to today?”
“He was just someone who was in therapy for a broken ankle.”
“Isabel, what are you not telling me?” Lucy asked.
“Nothing. Why?” Isabel asked. In fact, Isabel had not told anyone about Phil because she felt that spending time with him was like cheating on Richard, and she felt guilty about it.
“You don't sound like yourself,” Lucy said.
“We've been talking to each other every day for the past few weeks. Today, when Richard came to pick me up, he said he loved me and wanted to see me again,” Isabel admitted to Lucy.
“Who?”
“Phil.”
“Who is Phil?” Lucy asked.
“The patient that I was talking to you about,” Isabel answered.
“Oh. I see,” Lucy said.
“What do you see?” Isabel asked.
Lucy didn't respond. Then Lucy asked, “Do you want to see him again?”
“I am engaged. Don’t you remember?”
“Don't be on the defensive, Isabel. I simply asked a simple question.”
“I am not on the defensive,” Isabel said, defensively.
“Do you want to see him again?” Lucy asked for a second time.
“I don't think it’s a good idea.”
“I see,” Lucy said, one more time.
“What do you mean, you see?” Isabel asked in an exasperated tone.
“I’ve known you for over a decade, Isabel. Remember?”
“What does that mean?” Isabel asked.
“I’ve never seen you like this before,” Lucy said. “I’ve just got to meet this guy who is making you feel this way.”
“I am planning to marry Richard.”
“Sure, Isabel. You will marry Richard, buy a picket-fenced house and have 2-1/2 kids. I know the drill.”
“What are you talking about?” Isabel asked.
“Do you know that I never heard you say that you are marrying Richard because you love him?” Lucy said.
“I love Richard,” Isabel said.
“Sure. Tell me, when is the wedding date?”
“We are not ready yet.”
“When will you be ready?” Lucy asked. “Will it be when Richard gets the perfect construction project?”
“Don't be mean,” Isabel said.
“Sorry. Isabel. I just want to see you happy.”
“I am happy,” Isabel said, trying to be convincing.
“If you say so,” Lucy said. “I have to go. Say hello to Rebecca for me.”
Isabel was angry at Lucy for questioning her feelings for Richard. She met Richard several years ago in her office. At that time, her business had not yet branched out to programming electronic device equipment. Richard wanted her firm to design a new interactive website for his construction company. She was taken aback by his old fashioned good looks and easy manner. When he invited her out for pizza, she had accepted. Looking back now, she didn’t have any regrets. She was comfortable with Richard. She then decided that she would marry Richard. He had always treated her well. Besides, who else would want to marry her now with her medical condition?
##
When Isabel pushed the button on her pink answering machine, courtesy of Rebecca, the first message was from the lawyer that Richard had hired to represent her in her accident case. The lawyer was leaving her a message about an offer by the insurance company to settle her case. The second message was from Marcia, apologizing for not being able to spend much time with her the past week, due to her busy work schedule at the Center.
Isabel felt tired and decided that she would call them later after she took a nap. Several hours later, Isabel woke up in a house that was dark and silent. Rebecca was not yet home. She turned on the table lamp, and then picked up the phone to call her aunt, who had just arrived home from a meeting.
“How was your afternoon?” Marcia asked.
“OK. Richard came to pick me up early,” Isabel replied.
“What do you think of Phil? I see that you've been spending a lot of time together.”
“He’s nice.”
“I'm surprised you still haven't run out of things to talk about.”
“No. We talk about everything that’s going on in our lives,” Isabel answered, blushing.
“Well, you must have made an impression on him because he came to see me in the office after you and Richard left,” Marcia said.
“What did he say?”
“He wanted to know if you would be back at the same time tomorrow.”
“What did you tell him?” Isabel asked.
“I told him yes. It's not a secret that he likes you. You can see it in his face. All he wanted to know was if you would be here tomorrow because you looked upset when you left with Richard.
“Did he say why?”
“Did he have to say why? Besides, being an expert in calculating money damages for injuries such as yours, he is someone you need to know.”
“My lawyer is handling that.”
“I know. It's only in case we need his help. He might be able to convince the insurance company, if there was a problem. I know he has calculated injury damages for this insurance company in the past. ”
“How do you know that?”
“He told me after I asked him for his help.”
“I don't really need his help, Tia Marcia,” Isabel said forcefully.
“Isabel, besides the surgery, your rehabilitation is also costing a lot of money. I have seen the bills. I want to make sure that the insurance company pays for everything and that you don't go bankrupt because of this accident.”
“I know,” Isabel said, grateful and softening her tone. “My lawyer left me a message about an offer that the insurance company made. I’ve not spoken to her yet. When I do, I will let you know.”
“OK. See you tomorrow.”
“Good night. Tia Marcia.”
As soon as she hung up, Isabel felt guilty. She felt happy to know that Phil still wanted to see her even though she had remained silent when he had told her that he loved her and wanted to see her again. Actually, she felt sad to feel happy about it. She was engaged to be married to another man and she didn't want any more complications.
##
When Phil reached home that day, he wondered whether he had made a serious mistake by going to see Marcia. He figured he had nothing to lose by asking her if Isabel would be back at the Center again. He was sure that Marcia would tell Isabel. He wasn’t sure, however, how Isabel would react. Isabel had not responded when he told her of his feelings for her. Worse, she had a fiancé to whom she introduced him as Marcia's patient.
From what he learned from Marcia, Isabel had been engaged for several years. Why the wait, if Isabel and Richard were sure about each other?
As he debated his next step, the phone rang. It was Jeremy.
“Hi Jeremy,” Phil answered.
“Hi, old buddy.”
“How is everything in St Augustine?”
“Same old, same old. You?”
“Same here.”
“How is rehabilitation coming?”
“You'll never believe that the doctor that I met at the hospital in Saint Augustine is now in charge of the rehabilitation center down here,” Phil said.
“You're kidding me?”
“Nope. The day when I spoke to her in the hospital was her l
ast day there. In fact, I talked to her this afternoon.”
“You always made an impression on women. She quit her job after she met you, just to follow you to Miami?” Jeremy said with a laugh.
“Very funny, Jeremy. I was in her office today and she told me that she moved down here because she wanted to be closer to her nieces.”
“She didn't move for you after all?”
“Nope. In fact, I met one of the nieces.”
“Is she a doctor too?”
“No. She is a computer expert. She creates programs for tablet computers.”
“Smart family. What does she look like?” asked Jeremy.
“Just like her aunt except forty years younger.”
“Sounds like she is very pretty then. What are you waiting for?”
“Nothing. First of all, she is engaged. Secondly, she is going to therapy herself for a bad car crash,” Phil said. “She is in a wheelchair now. She told me she should be out of it soon.”
“OK. For one moment there, I thought she was going to be the one to take your mind off Stacy.”
“My mind is not on Stacy,” Phil replied.
“Come on, Phil, it is me you're talking to. You refuse to go out on dates, and, whenever you do, you always manage to get rid of your dates.”
“I told her that I wanted to see her again.”
“Who?”
“The niece,” Phil answered.
“You're kidding me. Are you right in the head?”
“You just told me that I needed to go out,” Phil said
“Well, that was before you told me that the girl that you like is engaged and disabled. Are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into?”
“She is very nice.”
“There are tons of very nice girls out there. It doesn't sound like you. So, what did she say when you invited her out?”
“I didn’t invite her out. I only told her that I wanted to see her again.” Phil didn’t want to tell Jeremy that he told Isabel he loved her. Jeremy would really think he was crazy since until today, Jeremy never heard Phil talk about Isabel.
“What did she say?”
“Nothing. Her fiancée was there.”
Jeremy was shocked. “You are unbelievable. You are inviting a girl out in front of her fiancée? Does that sound right to you?”
“She doesn’t seem happy with him.”
“Since when you are a psychologist? All I have to say is be careful. There are crazy people in Miami,” Jeremy added.
“OK, let's change the subject,” Phil said. He was getting uncomfortable talking about Isabel. “How is Michelle?”
“Same as always. Busy with her classes. So when do you plan on seeing that girl again?” asked Jeremy, coming back to the subject.
“Hopefully, tomorrow. We usually sit by the lake at the Center in the afternoon after therapy sessions.”
“What's her name?”
“Isabel,” Phil answered.
“Cute name. Well, I have to come down here for a case. Hopefully, I get to meet her,” Jeremy said, hoping to be able to convince Phil in person to forget about Isabel.
“When are you coming?”
“Not sure yet. Still working out time and date, I will let you know,” Jeremy answered.
“OK. Say hello to Michelle.”
“Will do. And Phil?”
“What?”
“Don't do anything crazy, OK.”
As Phil began to protest, he realized that Jeremy had already hung up.
Phil could not sleep that night. He was replaying in his head his conversation with Jeremy. Was Jeremy right? Was he making a mistake? After all, being disabled changes a person's entire lifestyle. The car had to be changed, bathrooms and bedrooms had to be reconstructed, etc. Was he ready for that? As he thought about all this, he felt guilty and selfish. Then feeling more resolute, he said to himself, “if Isabel needed him, he would be there for her as he promised her aunt, as he had promised to himself.”
##
One of the advantages about computer work was that it could be done anywhere. For Isabel, having the accident did not completely cause her to stop working. She had a dedicated high speed internet connection installed in her house years ago just to send files and communicate with her office. The night before, Isabel received a file from her office that she needed to review. However, as she was working on the project the next morning, her mind kept going back to her conversation with Lucy. Self-doubt was now creeping in on her. Why was no wedding date ever set? What had she and Richard been avoiding? When you are in love, wasn't getting married just supposed to come naturally? Why was she excited at the thought of possibly seeing Phil today at the Center? Can you have this feeling for a man while engaged to another?
As Isabel started reading and making changes to the file on her computer, the door to her home office opened. It was Rebecca.
“Good morning, Isabel. Did you have a good night?” Rebecca asked.
“Good, you?”
“Yes,” Rebecca replied. She was looking at Isabel furtively as if she wanted to say something but could not.
“Are you OK?” Isabel asked, now turning her eyes from the computer screen to Rebecca.
Rebecca looked just like Mother, Isabel thought. She was one inch shorter than Isabel, with vivid light brown eyes. She purposely wore some fashionable glasses that made her look smart. Coupled with her nice face and figure, she looked like a fashion model that you would see in a commercial for eyeglasses.
“I am ok,” Rebecca answered, standing by the door. She looked younger than her twenty years, and her pajamas, which were stamped with multiple cartoon characters, only added to her adolescent looks. Beyond the glasses, Isabel could not avoid noticing that Rebecca’s brown eyes somehow showed traces of red as if Rebecca had been crying.
“Why were you crying?” Isabel asked. It was as if Isabel's question was a cue to open the floodgates. Immediately, big drops of tears started streaming down Rebecca's cheeks.
“What is it?” an alarmed Isabel asked Rebecca.
“I didn't... I couldn't tell you before with the accident and all..,” Rebecca mumbled. “I was afraid of what you would say.... I made a mistake and...”
“You know I love you and whatever it is, we'll get through it together,” Isabel assured her. “Is it about school?”
“No, you don't understand. I don't know what I'm going to do.”
“Do about what?” Isabel asked.
“I'm pregnant.”
Chapter Six
For one moment, Isabel froze. She didn't know what to say. People always said that there was no guide to raising children. There was no guide for this type of moment either. Isabel was silent for one moment. She was biding her time. She needed to think about the best cause of action. She was upset but didn't want to show it.
“You are having a baby?” Isabel finally asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?” Isabel asked. Isabel's mind was racing. She still did not know what to say or what to do. She was furious. She had spent the past twelve years devoting herself totally to raising Rebecca. She loved her more than she could imagine a mother could love her kids and gave her everything that she needed and wanted in life. Now Rebecca was throwing everything away. Everything Isabel had dreamed that Rebecca would have: a good education, then a good job, then a good career, then marriage, then kids. Rebecca was starting everything in reverse.
She wanted the best for her. What should she say to Rebecca? What would Richard say? What would Phil say? What would Tia Marcia say? How do you behave as a mother or soon-to-be grandmother at a time like this?
“I am three months pregnant,” Rebecca answered
“Does Tia Marcia know?” Isabel asked.
“No,” Rebecca answered.
Isabel didn't remind Rebecca about their Catholic faith and the belief of no sex before marriage. It would sound like a lecture and it was too late anyway. She wondered what she had done wrong. Maybe i
f she had spoken to Rebecca more about sex or abstinence, it wouldn't have happened. But Isabel wasn't sure. Rebecca considered her old-fashioned.
“Does Mark know?” Isabel asked.
“Yes, but he said that I needed to get an abortion, that we needed to finish school and get a job first before we have kids,” Rebecca said, still sobbing. “I couldn't.”
That bum, Isabel thought. He was having sex but didn’t want to face the consequences of his actions.
“Do Mark's parents know?” Isabel asked.
“I don't think so,” Rebecca replied. “Mark said he was not going to tell them.”
“So, he's not going to marry you?”
“No. I don't want to get married either,” Rebecca answered.
What's this world coming to? Isabel asked herself. “So let me get this straight,” Isabel said, with a puzzled look, “both of you are having a baby and neither of you wants to get married.”
Rebecca didn't respond.
“Rebecca,” Isabel then added, “both of you have made a big mistake and you have to take responsibility for your actions.”
“I know,” Rebecca answered, her voice almost inaudible.
“Raising a child comes with a lot of responsibility. Obviously, I am disappointed in you. You can live here, but I expect you to continue going to school and to graduate from college,” Isabel added.
“I’m so sorry,” Rebecca said.
“You will also need to get a full time job to help you with expenses for the baby. I will talk to Tia Marcia to see if she can find you a job at the Center.
“OK.”
“I have to think about this. But I will talk to Mark's parents today,” Isabel added.
“I don't know about that. Mark said he didn't want his parents involved in this.”
“He’s still living with his parents and cannot hide the baby from them. Besides, I’ve met Mark's parents. They would want to know if they’re going to have a grandchild.”
A few hours later, after Rebecca left for school, Isabel emailed her completed work to the office. Then she placed calls to Mark and Mark's parents, Frank and Melinda Miles. She could not reach either of them and had to leave messages. It was already early afternoon when she reached the Center for another grueling therapy session and an equally unnerving possible meeting with Phil.
