The Christmas Promise

by Sean D. Young

  “Okay,” Jennifer replied, as she watched the doctor leave the room.

  Again, Jennifer told herself not to panic just yet because nothing had been confirmed. Seconds later the technician came in with a test tube and a big needle to draw her blood. Jennifer was uneasy, but knew it had to be done if she wanted to know for sure.

  Twenty minutes later, the doctor returned. “Well, it looks like you are indeed going to have a baby.”

  Jennifer’s heart dipped, but she tried not to show the shock on her face. “Pregnant,” she said, shaking her head left and right. Hysterical laughter threatened to bubble from her throat. She wanted to say more, but a wave of nausea hit her hard.

  Leaning back against the wall, she inhaled through her nose to try to control the sick feeling in her stomach. Soon enough, it eased.

  “You need to make an appointment with your gynecologist because we need to know exactly how far along you are and the condition of the fetus,” Dr. Motley explained.

  Jennifer stared at a photo of the happy family in the advertisement posted on the wall across from where she was sitting. This surely wasn’t a happy moment for her and she had no idea what her next move should be. She hadn’t realized the doctor was still talking to her until she touched her knee. “Jennifer, do you want me to give you a referral for someone else?”

  She jerked her head toward her doctor. “Yes, please,” she whispered.

  “I see that this is a shock to you. It can be for a lot of mothers.” She removed a large pad from her pocket and began to scribble on it. Tearing it off, she handed it to Jennifer. “Now, it is important that you see your gynecologist or Dr. Eli Goldsmith, who is an OB/GYN right away. Dr. Goldsmith’s office happens to be in this building on the fourth floor in suite seven.”

  Dr. Motley stood to her feet and extended her hand to Jennifer. “Congratulations to you, Jennifer. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

  Jennifer shook her long-time doctor’s hand, but couldn’t think straight because there were several things going through her mind at the same time. The first being, she had to tell Simeon right away that he was going to be a father even though she had already told him that he wasn’t. Changing the outcome may not sit well with him. She had no idea how he was going to react to the life-changing news.

  Jennifer did wonder why she hadn’t heard from him. Simeon had told her that he would call her as soon as he got settled, but that was weeks ago. Maybe he was just being nice to her after finding out he wasn’t going to be a daddy.

  She stood to her feet, folded the script and pushed it into the side pocket of her purse. If she was lucky maybe she could see Dr. Goldsmith today since she was already in the building.

  By the time Jennifer returned to her apartment she was worn out and very pregnant. Talk about surprised, but she wasn’t prepared for the shocking news that she was having twins. There had been two cancellations and Dr. Goldsmith was able to see her. She had another sick spell while she waited, but didn’t know if it was from her own pregnancy or seeing all those women in the doctor’s office with protruding bellies. And all the time knowing that in a couple months she would look just like they did.

  Because of her bleeding, Dr. Goldsmith wanted to check the fetus, so he completed an ultrasound and a vaginal exam to be sure everything was okay. If Jennifer hadn’t been lying on the exam table, she probably would have passed out because she not only had one life growing inside her, but two. A double whammy. The doctor gave her some medicine for the morning sickness and a printed copy of the ultrasound of her babies.

  On the way home, she tried to call Simeon on his cell several times, but didn’t get an answer. She was nervous and sad that things had turned out this way, but wanted him to know as soon as possible. Since the only other way she could get in touch with him was through email, she kicked off her shoes and grabbed her laptop off the kitchen table.

  Signing into her email account, she pulled up his information from the piece of paper she’d stuck in her wallet that he’d given her. Staring at the blinking cursor and blank screen, her fingers hovered over the keys as she tried to think of what she should say to him. What would be the subject of the email? Oops, I’m sorry or I’m pregnant. Would he believe her? Would he be angry? Would he respond?

  Swiftly closing the lid on the laptop, she realized that she really needed to think about how to handle the situation. In the meantime, she called his cell phone again and the voicemail engaged immediately. It looked like the only way she was going to get in touch with him was going to be via email. She would keep trying his phone so that she could hear his voice. But at least if she sent the email, she would have written the words because it seemed so unreal at the moment.

  The clear black and white photograph showed the two babies clearly. Her babies. Hers and Simeon’s. She opened the lid of her laptop once again and formulated the email quickly, hitting send. She called his phone a third time in hopes that he would answer, but still nothing. Again, it went straight to voicemail, but this time she left a message. She really wanted him to hear her say it because who wants to hear “you’re a daddy” through voicemail.

  Nervously hitting her right hand with her cell phone, she tried to think of another way to contact Simeon, but that was the only information she had. She sifted through the drawers in the kitchen for the telephone directory, but she didn’t know his parents’ first names and there were three pages of Bakers, who lived in the Chicago area. She didn’t even know if they lived close by. What would she say if she did call each person out of that book? No, there had to be another way.

  Jennifer guessed the new project in Brazil had been really important for him not to call her back. She never thought he wouldn’t keep his word because he had proven to be an honest man. She decided to give him a week and if he hadn’t contacted her by then, she would assume that he didn’t want to be a part of the babies’ lives.

  Jennifer waited more than two weeks for a response from Simeon and still didn’t get one. But she was blossoming with her pregnancy and her body had started changing, which frightened her. She noticed that her clothes were getting tighter and that she quickly got tired when she worked at the shop, standing on her feet all day. It was like smelling the smoke that sometimes came from the flat iron and being nauseous at the same time.

  She didn’t want to go through the pregnancy alone, so it was time to talk to her sisters. Finally, she called Patrice and Renee asking them to come over to her apartment. Jennifer had already given Faith the news several days after her doctor’s appointment, but she wasn’t ready to tell the rest of the family until now.

  In a few more weeks, Jennifer wouldn’t be able to hide her pregnancy, so she needed to tell them before they spotted a baby bump. She wondered if most women were as large as she was with twins during their first trimester.

  Assessing herself in the mirror, Jennifer pulled down her extra-large top over her slightly bulging stomach so it would look normal. She brushed her shoulder-length hair, added some lip gloss and hit the light switch on her way out. Jennifer took a deep breath after another bout with nausea. She trusted her little ones wouldn’t give her away before she could tell Renee and Patrice.

  Unfortunately, telling them meant Jennifer would be in for one heck of an interrogation. And that was all right with her because she’d planned on making sure that they backed off with the questions. She needed their support and not their judgment, which would apply especially to her sister Patrice, who would probably be the biggest pain in the ass of all.

  The loud chime from the doorbell caused Jennifer to flinch. Going to the door, she stood holding it open for them as they entered the apartment.

  “What’s going on?” Renee said, hugging Jennifer before stepping in.

  “Did you at least cook something?” Patrice asked, walking in behind Renee.

  “No, I didn’t cook anything,�
�� Jennifer said in response. Cooking was the last thing on her mind at this time. Right now, she had no appetite, only eating to keep up her strength for the babies.

  The ladies headed into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Jennifer came in last, holding her phone. Sitting in the armchair next to the couch, she dialed Faith’s number, who agreed to be there by video chat. They waited for her face to appear on the screen.

  “Hey, baby girl,” Faith said.

  “Hey, Faith,” Jennifer, Renee and Patrice said in unison.

  “Now, I know that something fishy is going on,” Patrice said giving Jennifer an under-eyed look. “Jenn got you attending this little meeting via FaceTime,” Patrice said to Faith.

  “What’s going on?” Renee wanted to know.

  Jennifer glanced at the display on her phone, biting her bottom lip, and saw Faith wink at her. She cleared her throat and glanced at her two other sisters. “Well, I wanted to let you guys know that you’re going to have a niece and a nephew, two nieces or two nephews.”

  There was a long period of silence before Renee and Patrice looked at each other, then over at Jennifer questioningly. Silence was something new for them because they always had something to say regarding any subject. Jennifer was shocked that not even smart mouth Patrice had a comment.

  Jennifer already had a conversation with Faith, so she wanted to give the other two an opportunity to voice their opinion.

  After too long of a period of silence, Jennifer asked, “Well, aren’t you guys going to say anything?”

  “I’ll be damned. Roderick done knocked you up,” Patrice said.

  Jennifer jerked her head, feeling as if she’d been slapped. She tried to hide her displeasure at hearing his name, but it didn’t seem to go over well.

  Renee slid forward on the sofa. “Who’s the father?”

  “What do you mean, Renee?” Patrice asked. “We know that it’s Roderick’s baby.”

  Jennifer shook her head. “No, a guy I met on vacation.”

  “But, I thought you and Roderick were going on some exotic vacation,” Patrice said, her eyes shifting as she spoke to Jennifer.

  Jennifer had no idea the conversation would end up going in this direction. But she had to open her big mouth and ask what they thought. She figured they should have just been happy for her, but it looked like it was turning into an interrogation.

  “No, Roderick and I didn’t go away together. And before you ask, no I don’t want to talk about it,” Jennifer said adamantly.

  “Of course you don’t. You’ve got more important stuff going on if what you’re saying is true,” Renee said.

  “Do you mean to tell us that you slept with a man you barely know?” Patrice asked.

  Jennifer nodded. “Yes, crazy, I know. We met and hung out the entire week and on the last night we had a romantic evening. One thing led to another and we made love.”

  “Have you contacted him yet?” Faith asked.

  “Yes, but he hasn’t responded to me.”

  “What do you mean, he hasn’t responded?” Patrice wanted to know.

  That was enough questions for the night. Jennifer had to shut it down and quick. She got up and retrieved her purse. She pulled out the photo from the ultrasound and handed it to Renee.

  “Look, I didn’t want you to find out when I looked like I swallowed a watermelon, so I’m telling you now. But, I don’t need your ridicule or your judgment.” Jennifer didn’t know where the tears came from, but they were spilling down her cheeks.

  Renee handed the photo to Patrice and rushed over to Jennifer’s side, pulling her to her chest. “Oh, Jenn, I’m excited for you, if you’re excited. It just seems like you’re really sad. I don’t like it when you’re sad.”

  “Me either,” Faith said loudly from the phone.

  Patrice looked down at the flimsy paper. “You’re having twins?”

  Jennifer nodded.

  “What are you going to do about the babies, Jenn?” Patrice asked.

  “I’m going to have my babies and raise them in a loving home. Point-blank, period.”

  Patrice got up and walked over to her. “That’s all I want to know.” She dropped to her knees beside Jennifer and placed her face against her tummy. “Auntie Treecie is going to be there for those precious ones.”

  She hugged Jennifer’s waist. “Don’t worry, baby girl. We’ve got you.”

  Jennifer let the tears flow because that’s all she wanted from her sisters, their support. Now, if only she could get Simeon to return her call or email she could rest easy.

  Chapter Eight

  Three years later

  Downtown Chicago was bustling with people trying to get a Black Friday bargain. This annual event merged the end of Thanksgiving and the first day of the Christmas shopping season seamlessly. The dark, heavy clouds overhead indicated snow might be on the way, but that didn’t stop the crowds. Preparations for a winter wonderland made up of beautiful eight-foot Christmas trees, festive decorations, colorful snowflake-themed lights gleamed and ornaments of all shapes and sizes were being hung in store windows everywhere. The poles of the streetlights wrapped in shiny red and white tinsel for Christmastime always seemed to bring out the best in most people. It captured the season of hope, beauty and goodwill.

  Simeon didn’t need to make a wish this Christmas because it had already come true—he was alive, so he welcomed the congestion of people wandering in and out of shops, the crowded sidewalks, police directing traffic and the sound of blaring car horns.

  After the hell he had gone through the last three years, none of that frustrated him as it had before. Today was the first day that he’d driven alone in a car since his accident. He’d found a parking spot on Wabash and got out, deciding it would be better for him to walk. He was glad to be here to witness another Christmas without crutches, heavy medications and most of all, pain.

  He flipped the collar up on the three-quarter-length black leather coat he was wearing to cover his ears and stuck his hands in the pockets to shield them from the gust of downtown Chicago wind.

  This was the first year in which he could go shopping on his own without his mother hovering over him. He appreciated her helping him get back to a normal life, but he felt like he was being smothered. Since that horrific car accident three years ago in Brazil, Barbara hadn’t let him out of her sight. Simeon was happy that she cared enough about him to stay by his side while he got better, even sleeping in a chair or on a slim cot just to be near him, but he had had enough. He was ready to be a whole man again, to live his life, but this time with a few tweaks.

  Simeon walked through the revolving doors into Macy’s department store, housed in the historic Marshall Field & Company building between Wabash and State Street, maneuvering through the crowd.

  He wanted to buy something special for his mother this year to show his appreciation for everything she’d done. With nothing particular in mind, he decided to choose at least three items, then make a final decision.

  He spotted a crowd over by the perfume counter. He remembered that she liked wearing scented lotions and things like that, but once he realized he wouldn’t get close enough to receive the personal attention that he needed, he changed his mind.

  Simeon headed toward the escalators that would take him to the third floor women’s department. As soon as he stepped off, he walked over to the sportswear section and a mob of people came toward him. He had forgotten just how packed Black Friday sales could be.

  Through the multitude, he spotted a little girl being pushed in his direction. With quick motion, he caught her, scooping her up into his arms, looking around to see if a parent or guardian was behind her.

  He moved to the side out of the way from the crowd, so he could get a better look through the people. He checked the little girl to make sure she wasn’t frightened with him being a strang
er, but she wasn’t. She was very quiet.

  “Where’s Mommy?” he asked, holding her securely.

  “Mommy,” the little girl said, pointing with a chubby finger.

  Simeon followed with his eyes in the direction she’d pointed and saw a woman walking swiftly in their direction. Upon further inspection, he recognized Jennifer McClendon. He had to blink to be sure that he wasn’t having another one of those dreams.

  For the past several weeks, he’d been dreaming about her every night. She was coming toward him, but as soon as he got close enough to touch her, she’d disappear.

  But this time, the closer she came, he realized that it wasn’t a dream at all, it was really her. She wore an ice-blue hooded winter coat and chocolate-brown-colored slacks. Because her coat was zipped, he couldn’t see what else she had on. She continued to walk swiftly in his direction, her face filled with worry as she searched from right to left.

  “Mommy,” the little girl yelled out again. She stretched her arms out, opening and closing her hands as Jennifer came closer.

  That very moment had been in his dreams often, seeing the lovely woman he’d spent his vacation with in Anguilla. He couldn’t believe it was actually her and once she stood in front of him, he opened his mouth to speak, but she spoke first.

  Jennifer reached for her daughter, who had started to whimper, leaning over for her mother to take her. He watched her comfort the baby, rubbing her long pigtails, kissing her forehead tenderly to soothe her.

  “It’s okay, baby girl, momma’s here,” she said holding her face close to the toddler’s.

  He admired the loving manner in which she spoke to her daughter, holding her body closely, snuggling her as a sign of protection.

  “Thanks so much,” she said to Simeon, without any eye contact whatsoever.

  Jennifer had spoken to him as if he were a total stranger. She turned around and he watched her walk away, leaving him stunned. He couldn’t believe that she’d given him the cold shoulder. It was true that he hadn’t been in touch in over three years, but it wasn’t likely that one would have not remembered the other. The time they’d spent together was unforgettable. He’d know her anywhere.