Promise To Keep

by Rainwater, Priscilla Poole

  The shrill ringing of the phone broke the painful silence, and the air seemed to be vacuumed from the room as Connell picked up the receiver with a trembling hand.

  Taking a deep breath, he tried to prepare himself for the worst, yet prayed at the same time. Dear Lord, please…please let her be ok. “Hello.” he answered, his voice a hoarse whisper.

  “Yes, yes, this is Harriet Bernard speaking.” a female voice with a thick British accent answered. “This may sound a little strange, but to whom am I speaking? I’m a long time friend of Aisha‘s, and there’s been an emergency. I got this number from her cell phone.”

  His heart racing, he blurted, “I’m Connell Riley. I’m her…uh, ..well..I was her fiancé. Where is she, how is she. What exactly happened?”

  “Hold on a sec..“ the woman answered, and he heard the murmur of other voices in the background. “Right, uhhh…..Connell. We’re near Duraysah, she’s being treated in a clinic the American Red Cross has set up here. Anyway, she’s been stabilized. She was shot in the shoulder, nasty wound it was, and she lost a lot of blood, but she’ll make it.”

  Oh thank you Jesus, thank you Lord…he thought as he felt sweet relief wash over and through him.

  “Connell, you still there?“

  “Yes, yes, sorry, I was just so worried, please continue.”

  “Right. Well, the State Department and the US Embassy is doing what they can, and since the operations there have been suspended for some time, they’re helping us get a medical evac for her and about five other critically wounded media and medical personnel. And since everything is going to hell, what with those doctors being kidnapped, they’re getting us the hell out of Dodge, and fast! And don’t you worry, the doctor assured me the flight back home will be safe for her and the baby.”

  Connell’s mind came to a screeching halt. Unsure he had heard correctly, he asked slowly, “Come again? What are you talking about, what baby…?“ Looking around the room, he saw everyone staring at him in shock, which he was certain was mirrored in his own features.

  “Oh, bloody hell! I need a drink! ”she mumbled over the line. “Well, I didn’t know you didn’t know, I’m very sorry, lad! I suppose it should have been her place to tell you, but…hell, I just didn’t know. But since the bun is out of the oven, so to speak, yes, the doctor confirmed she is pregnant, so, SURPRISE! Good news, I hope.” she finished with a nervous laugh.

  Connell ran a hand through his hair, trying to process the information. “When will you be leaving and arriving in the states? Do you know what hospital she’ll be flown to?”

  “Guess since I dropped the baby bomb, there’s no sense holding back on you.” she sighed audibly. “An official at the Embassy is taking care of all that, I believe he was hoping to have us out in seventy-two hours. She and another patient have to be cleared to travel, and several are being debriefed, concerning the missing Yanks. For now, and I stress FOR NOW, it looks as if they’ll be taken to DC. initially. From there, who knows? Perhaps she can outpatient in New York. Several news agencies are already wanting to interview her.”

  Oh, HELL NO! She’s coming home to us, where she belongs! he thought with determination. He had already made up his mind that he would travel anywhere he had to to pick her up, but after that, her and the child she was carrying, his child, would be coming home. If he had to kidnap her, so be it, he would figure out a way.

  “You still there?“

  He smiled as it finally sank in. They were going to have their very own beautiful son or daughter. “Sorry Harriet, went blank again. Look, could you please call me periodically, keep me posted? And just to let you know, yes, I’ll be wherever I have to be to pick her up and see after her once she arrives back here. In the states, I mean. And could you please tell her I love her, miss her, and will be there waiting for her?”

  The woman chuckled softly and said, “Oh, I think she knows. In her delirium, she’s been calling your name constantly. As you might have guessed, I didn’t know who she was talking about, at the time. I chalked it up to her feeling the effects of the drugs. But yes, I’ll keep you posted. You know, I’ve been around the block and back a few times in this old world, and I flatter myself to say I’m a good judge of character. And you strike me as being a right decent lad, Connell, if you don’t mind my saying so. I look forward to meeting you some day.”

  “Thanks, same goes for you.” After bidding the woman farewell, he turned around and looked at everyone with a huge grin plastered on his handsome features. “That was a friend of Aisha‘s, everyone. Good news is she was shot in the shoulder. Well, not good, but you know what I mean. What’s good is she‘s going to be ok. Harriet, that’s her friend, is working along with the Embassy and Red Cross to get her to a stateside hospital.”

  “Thank the Lord.“ Helen said, relieved, then asked the next question that was on everyone’s mind. “Now, what’s this about a baby? She was pregnant, and went back to work in such a dangerous environment? As soon as she’s better I’m gonna’ put on my ass kickin’ boots and go to work!“ she hissed, trying to keep Abby from hearing.

  Ben put his hand on his wife’s shoulder, trying to calm her. “Now hon, she’s pregnant, remember? We can only beat her about the head, not the ass, that way the baby won’t get hurt.”

  Helen looked as if she was honestly considering the suggestion.

  Laughing, Connell’s chest puffed out. “Yes, she is pregnant, but the baby is fine. Can you believe it? I’m gonna’ be a father again! Well, I need to pack, she left a set of keys here to her condo. I’ll go there and wait until she arrives in Washington DC, then catch a flight there.”

  Megan had heard enough. She rushed to him, grabbing his arm. “Son! What if she doesn’t want to come back? You’re assuming the child is yours. Have you ever thought it could be someone else’s?” In her mind, she thought she was talking some sense into him.

  His smile faltered, and he glared down at her. Coldness, and even mild contempt seemed to burn in his eyes.

  So shocked she was, she suddenly took a step back in confusion, and yes, even fear. Never had her own son looked at her that way.

  “Mom, I have no doubt the child is mine, and she IS coming back, even if I have to kidnap her, and drag her kicking and screaming entire way. When I get her here, if I have to hogtie tie her to the bed, that’s what I’ll do. And no one is going to stop me, you hear? No one. Don’t you ever make the mistake of bringing that up again, do you understand me? And when she does get back, you can either treat her with respect, or don‘t bother coming around again, ever.”

  “Connell, how can you say such terrible things to your own..”

  “Mom, SHUT UP.”

  Shaking his head, he turned to Helen, Ben and Jonus. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow, hopefully. I’ll call the airlines in a bit and see what they’ve got going to New York. Can you guys manage without me for a few days? I promise I’ll make it worth your while.“

  All three nodded their heads in unison, excited at the prospect of her return. They knew he had meant every word he said, and that this time, Aisha would never get her way. Not in a million years.

  Connell scooped Abby up off the floor, making her squeal in surprise and delight. Whirling her around, he let out a loud whoop. “Aisha’s coming home, pumpkin!”

  She giggled and hugged his neck. “Goodie, I’ve missed her! And I bet she brings me another pretty doll!”

  “Oh, in about…eight months or so you’re going have a new baby doll, all right!” Ben snickered, then cleared his throat and looked at the floor when he saw the look Helen was giving him.

  Giving his daughter another hug and kiss, Connell put her down and trotted off to prepare for his trip.

  Noticing the heartbroken look Megan had on her face, Helen said matter-of-factly, “Well, Megan, look at this way. You’re not just gaining another daughter-in-law, but you’re getting another grandbaby as well. After all, you did say awhile back that you wanted more.”

  Without s
aying a word, Megan snatched her purse off the coffee table and left in a huff.

  Turning to Ben and Jonus, Helen said, “Come on, I’ll fix us a big lunch, we got lots of planning and work to do. And since I want everything to be perfect when they get back, we’re going to be putting in some long hours. But don’t worry, we know quite a few more folks that will be happy to help. The good Reverend and his wife, Sheriff Berry and Carol, just to name a few.”

  Ben smiled and picked Abby up. “Yeah, we got a lot to do, I can’t wait to see what happens next. You know, maybe we should send a tape to one of those reality shows, you never know, we could be the next big hit!”

  **********************************************************

  Beep….beep…beep..beep…

  Aisha frowned, wondering what the annoying sound was. An awful smell suddenly hit her, making her wish she could go back into a deep sleep. Her stomach lurched, causing her to moan in misery. She slowly opened her eyes, then blinked several times, trying to focus her blurred vision.

  Once the drug haze cleared she turned her head slowly, and winced from the stiffness in her neck. She saw Harriet close by, curled up in a wooden chair. Draped over her body was a stiff looking, gray wool blanket, and her short gray and hair was tousled. Suddenly memories of what had happened in the village came rushing back. I was shot…. she thought. She touched her injured shoulder as if to confirm it was real, instead of a bad dream. Remembering how heavy the gunfire had been, she knew she was extremely lucky to be alive.

  Trying to sit up carefully, she let out a groan of pain when she moved the wrong way.

  Stirring from her uneasy slumber, Harriet mumbled, “So, sleeping beauty awakes from her drugged slumber.” Standing slowly and stretching, she folded the blanket and placed it back at the foot of the bed. “So how are you feeling, Ducky?”

  Squirming around trying to find a comfortable position in the narrow bed, she gave her a weak smile. “I’m Ok, I guess.” When Harriett gave her a look of doubt, she decided to tell the truth. “Actually, I feel like hell, but I guess I’m lucky to be alive, unlike our guard. He seemed like a good man, in the short time we knew him.” she finished. It pained her to have had to call the man “our guard”, but she had been so wrapped up in her own misery at the time she had never took the time to get to know him. Shame and pain lanced her heart simultaneously as she remembered his courageous, unselfish attempt to save her. Imagine that, you never took the time to get to know the man who died trying to protect you… she thought miserably.

  Harriett sat on the edge of the bed. “Yes, it was a real shame.” Patting her hand gently, she changed the subject. “Listen, I placed a call to Connell, your former intended? I let him know you were Ok, and he wanted me to tell you he will be at the hospital stateside, once we get you there. And, that he loves you and misses you.” Smiling, she took her hand and lifted it to her lips, where she kissed it lightly. “Aaaaaand, I’m sorry Ducky, but I let your little surprise slip out, I’m afraid. I’m so sorry.”

  “Uhhh, I think I need a compass for this conversation, I don’t follow you. What do you mean by my little surprise?”

  “The baby, love, your baby. I thought he already knew you were pregnant.”

  “Harriett, what on earth are you talking about? Have you been hitting the sauce again? You’ve always known I’m barren.”

  Harriett’s mouth fell open in shock, and she stammered, “Uhhh, yes, I did know that, matter of fact. But when the doctor gave me the news, I just assumed you had been to see a fertility expert or something, and had yourself, well, fixed, I guess….my God in heaven, you mean to tell me you didn’t KNOW you were pregnant? The doctor had two tests ran, just to be certain.”

  “What!? There must have been some mix-up, I….”

  “Yes, you can have children, my inamorato (sweetheart).” a male voice interrupted.

  Startled, both women turned in the direction of the voice.

  Max stood just inside the doorway, and was dressed looking as if he were fresh from a GQ shoot. He was wearing a dark grey Roberto Cavalli suit that seemed to compliment his freshly tanned skin.

  “Max…” Aisha stammered, and forced herself to focus. “Why are you here? And what are you saying? Look, you two, this is just too bizarre. And it’s NOT funny. I appreciate a good joke as much as the next person, but this is just over the line.” she finished, as her lower lip began to tremble.

  Knowing something serious was going to go down, Harriett stood, gave her a peck on the cheek, and quietly left, giving them privacy. But not before shooting Max a withering glare. She was more than intelligent enough to have figured out the sleaze ball had lied to her about not being able to have children.

  Walking into the room, he stood at the foot of the bed, nervously twisting the family ring on his finger once again. Please, don’t let me lose my angelo prezioso (precious angel)…I’ll lose the only decent person I’ve ever had in my world… he thought.

  “Well, Max?”

  Approaching her hesitantly, he caressed her cheek, knowing that this could very well be the last time he would ever see her. Dropping his hand, he said in a voice almost too low for her to hear, “Aisha, I….I lied to you. You can have children, I’m the one who’s sterile.”

  Giving him a look of disbelief, she shook her head in confusion and snapped, “No no no, you had a child with the woman you walked out on me for, REMEMBER?” Why is he doing this? ? Why would even he play such a cruel joke on me? she wondered.

  Taking a deep breath, he decided to forge ahead, try to clear his conscious. “Aisha, when Danielle told me she was carrying my child, I knew it was a lie from the very beginning. You see, several specialists had informed me already that I was sterile, long before I ever even met her. But at the time, her lie was something I thought I could live with.” After all, I’ve lived with worse knowledge, much, MUCH worse… he thought to himself, reflecting on things he had had to do in his line of work.

  Still looking at him in stunned disbelief, tears began streaming down her dark face. She wondered how she could ever have loved him, or trusted him. “WHY????” she suddenly screamed, and felt a stabbing pain in her shoulder and a wave of dizziness.

  Instead of answering, he looked away in shame.

  Now openly sobbing, she wailed, “Max, why have you hurt me so? What did I ever do to you to deserve everything you’ve done? WHAT DID I DO? All I ever did was love you, be faithful to you, and this is how you pay me back? How can you be so cruel, HOW? I LOVED YOU!!!“

  “Aisha, I…“

  “LOOK AT ME, DAMN YOU!!!!“

  Reluctantly, he looked up at her.

  “Wasn’t it enough you cheated on me, then WALKED OUT on me! Wasn‘t THAT enough for you???” Grabbing the pitcher of ice water from the bedside table with her good arm, she hurled it at him.

  He stood still as a statue as it hit him square in the chest, water splashing all over his face, expensive suit, and shoes. Slowly, he pulled an expensive handkerchief from his suit pocket, and began wiping his face with a trembling hand.

  “Max, I knew you could be cruel, I even knew that you could be vicious, but just tell me why. Seems to me it’s the least you can do…”

  “Aisha, please, I just didn’t want to lose you, that’s all. I always knew how important it was to you to start a family, but I knew I couldn’t give you what you wanted, what you needed. I’ve always wanted, no, I’ve always needed something, someone, decent in my life. You’re all I ever really had. I honestly don’t know why I ever left you. I was young and dumb, and didn’t realize at the time what I had. I’m so sorry….I’ve never stopped loving you, I just realized it too late. I love you, Aisha, I always have, and always will. Please give me just one more chance, just one more…I’m begging you…“ he said hoarsely, and incredibly, began to cry.

  Clapping over her hands over her ears, she shut her eyes and shook her head back and forth, screaming, “SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!!!“

  Walking
to her on shaky legs, he gently pried one of her hands from her ear.

  “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave, you‘re upsetting the patient.”

  Turning, he saw a stout American nurse coming into the room, a stern look on her face.

  “No, let him stay a moment longer, I have something to say.” Aisha said as she opened her eyes and looked at the nurse.

  “Fine, just make it quick, and no more outbursts, understand?” she replied as she gripped one of Max’s arms firmly.