Unlike her brother, six-year-old Tori was very attentive to the debate going on around her. She didn’t like hearing her great-grandmother say negative things about her mother. She would have liked to say something in Kim’s defense, but she knew she’d better stay in a child’s place. Getting in “grown folks’ business” would guarantee chastisement by her mother, grandmother, and possibly Aunt Wendy. Her small brown eyes lit up when her paw-paw spoke. A tiny grin appeared on her face, exposing her missing front teeth and showing off the dimples she had inherited from her mother.
Before Michael had a chance to say anything else, Marlene jumped in, changing the subject in an attempt to ease some of the tension. “Wendy, why are you so quiet, honey? Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just tired, that’s all.”
“Try and get more rest. You really need to take care of yourself now that you’re carrying a little one inside of you,” Marlene encouraged. “Are you taking your prenatal vitamins?”
“Yeeeeees.”
“You’re just abnormally quiet today. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I think Wendy is a little nervous about the pregnancy,” Kevin spoke up.
“I . . . I just don’t know if I am ready to be a mother,” Wendy confessed.
“That’s nonsense. I know you love kids. You’re a teacher, for God’s sake—how could you not?” Marlene reasoned.
Wendy tried to explain, “Yeah, I do love kids, but—”
“Just be thankful that you can have children. Some folks can’t, you know.”
Wendy had her reasons for not being excited about the baby, but she would never be able to convince her mother of that. Instead, she just nodded in agreement. Everyone else was happier about the pregnancy than Wendy. It was ironic, especially since her motive behind getting married was to start a family.
Under different circumstances she would be delighted. However, Kevin was not being the husband she desired him to be right now. Even his money couldn’t change that. She didn’t understand how someone who was just a couple hundred thousand dollars shy of becoming a self-made millionaire could spend his weekends hanging out in clubs, drinking and getting high with his no-good friends. She could strangle him on Sunday mornings when he preferred to sleep in rather than go to church. Every weekend they had the same argument ending with the same results: Wendy went to church mad and came home even madder when he was still in bed. He hadn’t gone out last night, which was probably the only reason he’d gotten up for church this morning.
Kevin was the most successful man Wendy had ever dated, and the only one who had respected her decision not to have sex until she married. Many of her other relationships hadn’t lasted long for that very reason. Last year Wendy had met Kevin at a Christmas fund-raising event hosted by a nonprofit organization, only weeks after ending another relationship. Kevin’s company was a big contributor and Wendy was a volunteer. They hit it off and six months later they were married. At first, Wendy thought Kevin was the one. Now she wasn’t so sure she would be spending the rest of her life with him. Everything happened for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Depending on how severe the baby’s defects were, Kevin’s involvement in her life might only be for a season. Her visit with the obstetrician would clarify things. She hadn’t told Kevin about the appointment and didn’t intend to until it was over.
“Are you still going to take some time off from teaching after the baby is born?” Michael asked his daughter.
“Yes. I’ll put in my resignation for next year in a few weeks.”
“I told her to go ahead and resign now, but she doesn’t want to,” Kevin admitted. He made more than enough to support both of them. In fact, Wendy had had the option of being a stay-at-home wife prior to finding out about her pregnancy, but she wanted to continue teaching. She loved working with kids. Plus, she was afraid of becoming a bored housewife who did nothing all day except watch soap operas and talk shows. She planned to take some time off after the baby was born, though. She didn’t know how long; maybe a year or two, or maybe indefinitely, since taking care of the baby would be a full-time job. In any event, she wasn’t willing to abandon her students in the middle of the school year.
“Resigning now may not be a bad idea,” Marlene agreed with Kevin. Kim and Terrance walked out of the kitchen just as Marlene finished speaking. Terrance took the kids upstairs to wash their hands. Kim sat down at the table.
“What’s not a bad idea?” Kim was curious.
“For your sister to go ahead and resign from teaching now. Every time I see her she complains about being tired,” Marlene answered.
“I want to finish out this school year,” Wendy said persistently. “And anyhow, I didn’t complain. You asked me what was wrong so I told you.”
“Okay. We’re only concerned about you and the baby,” her mother reassured her.
Frances looked at Kim and began doing her own rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” “M-A-R-R-I-E-D find out what it means to be, M-A-R-R-I-E-D before you have ba-a-bies.”
Kim wanted desperately to slap the woman. However, she chose to ignore her like everyone else. “We’re getting ready to go,” she announced to her family.
“No, you can’t. Your dad still has to open his presents and cut the cake. You can’t leave before he does that,” Marlene protested.
“She can go if she wants to,” Michael said. “I won’t be offended. It’s not like this is my first birthday, and hopefully it won’t be my last.”
“But still, you know Tyler and Tori will want some cake,” Marlene pressed her case.
“We’ll stay, but you can wrap up our cake and we’ll take it home.” Kim gave in, knowing that this was a special day for Michael.
When Terrance and the kids came back into the dining room, Marlene went into the kitchen and brought out the birthday cake. They all gathered around the table and sang “Happy Birthday” to Michael as he blew out his candles. Tori and Tyler then sat on his lap and helped him open his presents. Because it was getting late, Wendy and Kevin requested to take their cake home also.
Kim gave a round of hugs and kisses to her sister, brother-in-law, and mother while conveniently neglecting Frances. Kim walked over to her father and gently rubbed his bald head. “Daddy, I’m sorry for messing up your birthday,” she whispered in his ear and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled and winked at her, indicating that he wasn’t the least bit upset.
Marlene walked her family to the door and watched them get into their cars. She smiled as the thought of becoming a grandmother for the third time excited her. So much had happened that day with church getting out late, Michael’s birthday, and Kim arguing with her mother. Marlene closed the door, leaned her head back, and said to herself, Today has been anything but an ordinary Sunday!
Chapter Three
What’s the Worst That Can Happen?
WHAT?” Wendy could not believe what she heard. She sat in the chair, staring at Dr. Korva while her mouth dropped to the floor.
“You tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease,” Dr. Korva restated. “You have chlamydia, which is why I needed to see you again so quickly. I want to begin treating you in order to minimize any effects this could have on the baby.”
Having the gynecologist repeat herself only confirmed that Wendy had heard her right the first time. Dr. Korva, who appeared to be of Asian descent, spoke with a slight accent. She pronounced chlamydia as “chlaemydia,” using the long a sound, which made the word stand out even more. “B-b-but how?” Wendy stammered and slumped over, putting her face in her hands.
“I understand that you’re upset, but instead of focusing on how you contracted the disease, we need to concern ourselves with getting you treatment right now. Okay?”
Oh shut up! I know how I got the disease! Wendy wanted to say as feelings of rage boiled inside her. She knew that Dr. Korva was just doing her job, but she was ready to explode on anyone who rubbed her the wrong way. Tears formed
in her eyes, but pride kept them from falling. Crying would only add to her embarrassment. She almost would have preferred it if Dr. Korva had confirmed her suspicions that something was wrong with the baby. At least then she wouldn’t feel so dirty. “But . . . I never had any symptoms,” Wendy contested.
“I’m sure you did. However, they were probably so mild that you didn’t recognize them. It’s common for people who contract chlamydia not to notice or feel anything different.”
“Is my baby going to be all right?” Wendy asked, still fighting back the tears.
“Chances are”—she handed Wendy a tissue—“your baby will be just fine. We found out early enough to treat you before any significant damage occurred.”
“What do you mean by significant? What’s the worst that can happen to my baby?” Wendy accepted the tissue from Dr. Korva and blotted her eyes to prevent a downpour. This whole conversation seemed so unrealistic that Wendy could swear she had entered The Twilight Zone. She had never engaged in premarital sex, and Kevin was the only one she’d been with during their marriage. Yet she felt as dirty as a cheerleader who’d slept with half the guys on the football team.
“If left untreated, the bacteria could spread to your baby’s eyes during childbirth and possibly cause blindness,” Dr. Korva explained. “However, there’s no point in discussing this because you’re only in your seventh week of pregnancy. There will be no danger to your child by the time you deliver,” Dr. Korva assured.
Wendy let out a sigh of relief.
“I’m writing you a prescription for ofloxacin.”
“Oxa what?” Wendy blurted.
“O-flox-a-cin,” Dr. Korva pronounced. “It’s an antibiotic. You’ll take one 300-milligram tablet every twelve hours for one week.” She handed Wendy the prescription. “Once you have taken all of the medication, I need you to make an appointment to come back into the office so we can run more tests to make sure that no traces of the disease still exist.”
“What are the side effects?”
“Some people experience such things like nausea, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, or diarrhea. But don’t let that scare you. In those instances, there is usually an allergy to the drug. You’ll be able to tell right away if you are allergic.”
Wendy nodded to indicate that she understood. She wasn’t alarmed by the side effects at all. It sounded like what she was going through on a daily basis with the morning sickness.
“If you have any bleeding, call the office immediately and please drink lots of water.”
“Okay.” Wendy spoke softly.
“Before you have sexual intercourse again, your partner needs to be treated or—”
“You mean my husband,” Wendy interrupted, indicating that she did not like the term partner. It implied engagement in reckless sexual activity.
“Yes, excuse me—your husband,” Dr. Korva said apologetically, sensing the tension. “Anyhow, he needs to be treated before the two of you have intercourse again or you will become re-infected.”
Wendy nodded her head in agreement, but she could care less whether or not Kevin got treatment. He would definitely hear about her visit today, but that wouldn’t be all she’d have to say. There is no way he is going to touch me again after this.
“Well, if you don’t have any questions for me, you’re free to go. Just make sure you stop at the front desk and make a follow-up appointment.”
“Actually, I have one request, if you don’t mind.”
“Yes?”
“If you need to reach me during the day, just call my cell phone or even leave a message on my home phone, but please do not call me at work. I’m uncomfortable receiving personal calls there,” Wendy admitted. This morning she had called the school and said that she couldn’t come in because of a family emergency. It was the best thing she could think of; the message she’d received on Friday was urgent, and the baby was part of her family, so technically she hadn’t told a lie.
“Sure, no problem,” Dr. Korva said. “I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you.”
“It’s okay.”
“Well, have a good week and try not to stress yourself out over this. Your baby will be fine.” She gently rubbed Wendy’s back to reassure her.
“Thanks.”
After Dr. Korva left the room, Wendy was temporarily paralyzed from the numbness she felt. She sat for a few minutes before going to her car. Once she was outside, it was a while before she could actually drive off the parking lot. She was finally able to process everything that had taken place. She thought about her life and how it was not going the way she had planned. All I ever wanted was to get married and have children. I have both, and neither is satisfying. “God, what did I do to deserve this?” she asked out loud, looking toward heaven.
Wendy was angry with herself, Kevin, and God. How could I not know that Kevin had been cheating on me? How could he even do such a thing? Who is the other woman? Wendy pondered these questions.
She should’ve known something was going on. Married men don’t stay out in clubs with their single friends till the wee hours of the morning doing nothing. Birds of feather flock together! Kevin’s friends were no good and apparently neither was he.
How can God observe my faithfulness to Him and not bless me with a good and faithful husband? What ever happened to never leaving or forsaking me? she thought. Her whole life she had aimed to please God, and this was how He repaid her. “Why, God? Why did you allow this to happen to me?” Wendy cried out of frustration as she beat her fist against the steering wheel.
Chapter Four
A Christmas to Remember
IT WAS ABOUT FOUR O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON. Tori and Tyler were downstairs in the den playing with all of their new toys while their parents, grandparents, and great-grandmother lounged in mini-Africa watching Christmas specials on TV. Everyone was trying to recover from the feast Marlene had prepared earlier. The remainders of ham, turkey, dressing, collard greens, potato salad, macaroni salad, and chitterlings lay on the dining room table. For dessert, Marlene had made sweet potato pie, strawberry cheesecake, and banana pudding. Everyone desired to eat more, but their bodies wouldn’t tolerate another bite without exploding.
“Looks like it turned out to be a white Christmas after all,” Marlene said joyfully to her family while gazing out the window. She loved watching the snow fall, concealing everything it touched.
“The snow is pretty and all, but I can do without the cold weather,” said Kim. She was seated directly in front of the fireplace and still had a blanket wrapped around her. Kim had lived in Columbus all twenty-four years of her life, yet she had never gotten used to the cold winters. Each year she complained as though she had never experienced this weather before.
“Girl, you just need a lil’ meat on your bones,” Frances joked. “You don’t have enough fat on your body. You see all this meat on me”—she grabbed a chunk of her stomach—“it may not keep your man around, but it’ll sho’ keep you warm.”
Everyone laughed, including Michael, although he felt sick after watching Frances’s actions. He prayed that Marlene wouldn’t adopt her mother’s appearance as they grew older. Frances truly did have a lot of internal insulation. She, Marlene, and Kim were all just a few inches over five feet, but they varied greatly in size. One of Frances’s dresses could wrap around Kim three times and still be too big. Marlene was somewhere in between the two.
Kim liked seeing her grandmother act silly and laugh instead of being so cantankerous. By now both of them had gotten over the spat they’d had on Michael’s birthday. “Mama, have you heard from Wendy?” Kim wanted to know.
“She called on Saturday and said that they made it to Philadelphia okay.”
“How long are they stayin’?” Frances inquired.
“Until after the New Year.”
“It’s different celebrating Christmas without Wendy,” Michael confessed. Christmas was one of Wendy’s favorite holidays, and he missed the exc
itement and joy she brought with her.
“Honestly, I’m glad they went this year, so the baby can spend its first Christmas with us,” Marlene said. She missed Wendy too, but she would have a fit if Wendy took her newest grandbaby out of state next year.
“I agree,” Kim admitted. The baby would be her first niece or nephew. “Was Wendy feeling any better?”
“She didn’t say, but she sounded all right.”
“That’s good, ’cuz I was worried about her getting ill on the plane with all of the problems she was having with morning sickness. I wouldn’t have wanted to fly when I was pregnant.”
“Girl, you’re thinkin’ of a coach experience; Wendy flew first class.” Frances laughed. “I’m sure she was just fine.”
“I think morning sickness is just a conspiracy by women to get men to feel sorry for y’all and be at your beck and call,” Terrance playfully instigated.
“Whatever,” Kim replied. “You got your nerve; it’s not easy having another human being growing inside you.”
“I don’t know . . . Terrance might be on to something,” Michael joined in.
“Oh be quiet,” Marlene said to her husband. “God trusted women to bear children because men are big crybabies.”
“What?” both Michael and Terrance said in unison.
“Y’all are. At least I know Michael is.” Marlene imitated her husband: “ ‘Baby, can you rub my back. . . . Baby, I got a headache. . . .’ All I hear is baby, baby, baby . . .”
“I don’t sound like that,” Michael defended himself.
“Yes you do, Daddy. I’ve heard you.”
“Um-hmm, I heard you before too,” Frances chimed in.
“Kim, stay out of grown folks’ business,” Michael teased his daughter. “I’ll address your comment when I think of a good response,” he said, looking at his mother-in-law.
Soul Matters Page 3
