by Mila Summers
The house lay before me, unnaturally still. I slowly wandered through the corridor on the first floor and found myself in the entrance hall again. Hesitating, I stopped for a moment as I stared up the marble stairs. I carefully neared them and at last touched the handrail.
Doubt rose inside me. Was it really a good idea to spy on my boyfriend? With each stair step my courage sank, but I had a desperate need to gain some clarity.
My heart was in my mouth. Trembling, I moved my hand up the cold railing. Was I really doing the right thing? There was still enough time to turn around. But something inside me drove me forward. Step by step I climbed higher and found myself on the upper floor.
I hesitantly stepped down the hall as I forced myself to put one foot in front of the other. There I first heard the sounds. Mitch seemed be saying something, at which Samantha agreed with a happy laugh. What were those two doing?
The door to her room stood open a crack. I couldn't see anything although I could hear their voices loud and clear.
"Do you remember how you tried to grill on the terrace in the winter? Everybody said you were crazy but you did it anyway and you almost froze a toe off," I could hear Samantha's laugh again.
"Well, don't exaggerate. At the most, it was late autumn and it wasn't that bad. The grill warmed me up nicely," Mitch was indulging in reminiscences.
"Mitch, there was snow on the ground. You know, that white stuff that falls from the sky in winter when it's especially cold. The frostbite on your feet hurt for ages and you couldn't wear proper shoes for a week."
"I think I should go down to the party again," I heard Mitch answer self-consciously.
"Stay with me a little longer. We were having such a nice conversation. Stacy wouldn't mind if we were just chatting a little. It's good for everybody if we can be a little closer again. Especially for the baby," she purred sweetly.
And how I did mind this bitch with her intrigues coming on to my boyfriend. Boiling with rage, I was standing in front of the door unable to move. My hands were balled into fists and I kept hoping that Mitch would leave the room soon but nothing happened.
Since they weren't talking anymore, I was seized with an inner anxiety that finally forced me to act. Without thinking, I pushed the door open in a panic and rushed into the room. What I saw there left me breathless. Samantha sat on her bed with her back to me. Her upper body was unclothed except for her bra. Mitch was sitting behind her and stoking her shoulders gently.
"What is going on here?" I cried out when I took in the scene.
"Stacy, what are you doing here?" Mitch startled and wildly turned towards me.
"I'm more interested in knowing what exactly you are doing here, my dear," I pointed tellingly at Samantha, who had turned towards me. Her smug smile betrayed that she had been longing to be in exactly this situation.
"It's not what you think," Mitch hurried to explain.
"Oh, it's not? What is it then?" I ground my teeth.
"Well, Samantha had back pain ... that can happen when you're pregnant ... I ... well, and ...," obviously he was aware that his excuse sounded pretty flimsy. He sheepishly looked at the floor when he realized he didn't know what else to say. Then his ex came to his aid and stepped into the breach for him.
"This is just a big misunderstanding. Stacy, you've misunderstood completely. Mitch was only acting with the very best intentions. You have to believe him. Nothing really happened here," she softly added in my direction "not yet" and threw me a mocking look. Mitch didn't seem to catch that. He sat as before on Samantha's satin sheets, his face bright red and not daring to lift his eyes.
This couldn't be happening. I desperately needed somebody to pinch me. I couldn't bear this nightmare for one minute longer. Where was the shrill sound of my alarm clock which would release me from this torture?
My head buzzed with confusing thoughts. It was too much. Without another word, I left the room and ran. Just get away fast and not see or hear anything more. That was the only thing I wanted now.
Chapter 19
"Wait. Stacy, please wait," I heard Mitch calling as I reached the first stair step. I had only one thing in mind and it wasn't waiting for him, to say nothing of talking to him.
Once in the entrance hall I went directly to the door. I didn't care one bit that I was about to leave the house without my things. But before I could press the door handle down and vanish, Mitch caught up with me.
"Wait," I heard him say, out of breath. "Stacy, please believe me. That didn't mean anything. I'm so very embarrassed that I let myself be talked into giving her a massage. But she was complaining about her back pain and I felt sorry for her. But nothing more happened. You have to believe me," he tried to explain himself.
I was reluctant to turn around to look at him but I was aware that there wasn't anything else I could do. He wasn't going to let me just go.
He looked down on me anxiously as tears shimmered in his eyes. If the whole thing hadn't been this way, I would have taken him in my arms and comforted him. Although I was flattered how desperately he was fighting for me, I couldn't change the way I felt.
"What would have happened if I hadn't come? Can you look in my face and honestly tell me that nothing would have happened? Think about what you say, Mitch. Don't you dare lie to me," I threatened and looked at him intently.
"Nothing would have happened. I swear to you on my life."
He withstood my gaze, not daring to make a move. There was complete silence between us for a moment. As I was still deciding what to think about what Mitch said, I heard Samantha say,
"Don't believe a single word, Stacy. You should have seen how he was staring at my boobs when I took my shirt off. Mitch wanted me. I can assure you of that. Now don't look so sad. I can't help it if he still thinks I'm hot. Besides, it would be better for everybody if we got back together. Maybe it's best if you walk through that door and never come back. The baby and I need peace and quiet. Do you understand?" quietly, yet decisively, the snake sprayed venom.
The arrogance and pretension radiating from her brought my blood to a boil. Who did this tart think she was? Who was she to think that she could give me orders?
I rushed towards her. She was still standing on the landing, looking at me with a cold, calculating stare. And then, as if out of nowhere, one event followed hot on the heels of another. I took one step closer to Samantha and lightly touched her arm. Without warning, she let out a scream.
"Help, Mitch! Save me!"
Mitch, who had come up behind me in the meantime, was able to catch her at the last minute so nothing bad happened.
"Have you lost your senses? Samantha is pregnant. I really didn't think you'd be capable of doing that."
Frightened, I looked into Mitch's eyes. What did he mean? I had just brushed her on the arm.
"What do you mean? I don't understand...," I answered in confusion.
"Pushing Samantha down the stairs is the last straw. How could I have been so deceived by you? It would be best if you go up and pack your things. I'm not going to keep you here any longer. Given these circumstances, I never want to see you again."
His expression made it clear that he wouldn't tolerate any arguments. I stood there with my mouth open, unable to move or talk. How could he think I was so rotten? I wouldn't hurt a fly, he must have known that.
Samantha hung tightly onto Mitch. Although I couldn't see any signs in her face that she was frightened or worried. The only thing written on her face was irrepressible pleasure over her triumph.
This bitch had lured me into her trap and I had fallen in like an idiot. How could I have underestimated her so much? How stupid of me to downplay her visit to the museum.
Mitch looked at me icily and without understanding as tears of helplessness arose in me. He had passed judgement and would not change his mind now. As the first tears ran down my cheeks, I turned from him and hastened to my room. I would not give Samantha the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I would not lay myself ope
n to ridicule.
"Well, you probably didn't expect the tide to turn in my direction?" I started in fright when I suddenly heard Samantha's voice behind me.
"What do you want?" I answered fearfully.
"To fully enjoy my victory. How does it feel to have been rejected? Rather mean of Mitch, that he didn't even let you explain. But he's like that. Always takes the high ground. Yeesh. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. When he caught my best friend and me in flagranti delicto back then, he wasn't interested in hearing my excuses. Too bad, really. Mitch is one of the good ones, which is why I chose him to be the father of my unborn child," she reported, becoming loquacious.
"What are you trying to say?" I asked in horror.
"My God, Stacy, what world are you living in? Do you really think I went back to Mitch because I love him so much and because he's the father of my baby? Honey, that is so naive. I can say with considerable certainty that Mitch is not the father. But of all the potential fathers, he definitely has the most lucrative career. Don't look so appalled. I have to look out for myself. Who's going to want me with stretch marks and a little brat?" she baited me as she laid her hand on her round baby bump.
Shocked, I let the things in my hands fall to the floor. Aghast, I looked at the woman who had just destroyed my future and taken my man. Unable to say anything, I just stood there and watched Samantha as she slowly came towards me.
"Stacy, don't say I didn't warn you. Quite the contrary, I was even so friendly to come to you to the museum to call your attention to the fact that things weren't going to work out so well for you. You do remember? And what did you do? Instead of getting out of the way, you just kept flitting around my man. You must understand that I had to put an end to it. Thankfully, at least you were a big help in doing it. If you would be so good to clear out as soon as possible, I would be much obliged."
"Are you going to tell Mitch that he's not the father of your child?"
"Of course not. God forbid. Why would I be sleeping with Dr. Pemperton for the past few weeks, who by the way, is not at all good-looking. He's going to give me a first-rate DNA test which will show without a doubt that Mitch is the father. You see, I've taken care of everything. After I clear the last hurdle and you're no longer a threat, I'm going to go to my room and take a good long bath. You'll excuse me?" Without waiting for an answer, she turned toward the door of the room.
As the door opened with a creak and Mitch appeared in the frame, Samantha stopped abruptly.
"Mitch, I just wanted to say goodbye to Stacy. We certainly won't be running into each other anytime soon, so I didn't want to lose the opportunity to say goodbye, in spite of everything," she purred sweetly.
Mitch's expression was dark as he gave her a fixed stare.
"Samantha, I'm only going to ask you once. You'll be sorry if you lie to me. Is the child in your belly mine?"
Shivering, I crossed my arms as a cold shudder ran through my body.
"Mitch, darling, do we really want to discuss that here and now? Let's go to my room and then we can continue with what we were doing before we were interrupted," she attempted to beguile him.
"You're not going anywhere until you give me a satisfactory answer. Is the child mine or not?" he stubbornly persisted.
"Mitch, you're being ridiculous. I'm going to go now. When you come to your senses, you can come see me," she walked confidently past him and tried to leave the room.
Where did this woman get her nerve? Although Mitch had straightened up to his full height, at least a head taller than she was, she tested his limits and taunted him.
"How did you let this woman cause you so much grief? Of course you're the father of my child," she lied right to his face, pretending to meet his gaze.
I didn't dare move, let alone say anything. How long had Mitch been standing at the door? Had he eavesdropped on our conversation? The door must have been ajar since I hadn't heard Samantha come in.
"That, my dear Samantha, was the wrong answer," Mitch answered, still calm and distant.
"What are you saying?" she acted as if she were innocent.
"I heard exactly what you laid out a few minutes ago, the reasons you had for choosing me to be the father of your child. You should be ashamed of yourself. How can anybody be so phony and deceitful? I've never come across anybody like you in my whole life. See that you pack your things and clear out from here," the calm in his voice was gone. He shouted so loudly that I was truly afraid and I tightened my arms around my body.
"But...," she tried to counter.
"No buts. Beat it and don't you dare come into my life again. If you dare harass my family, my friends," he looked over at me, "or myself, I will not hesitate to initiate legal action against you. Do you understand?"
I detected a timid nod, but apparently that wasn't enough for Mitch.
"I would like to know if you've understood," he repeated his threat without wavering.
"Yes, loud and clear. Will you let me go by now?" she was irritated.
"But of course. And don't forget that you'll never be allowed to come back. So see that you don't forget anything. My family assuredly has no interest in saying goodbye to you. After the festivities, I will tell them that you've changed your mind and decided to leave."
She furiously stomped past Mitch without another word and slammed the door shut. And once again an old saying of Aunt Anne's proved to be true. Triumph and defeat are often closely linked. In this case, it was about a quarter of an hour.
"Stacy, I've been a total idiot."
I had had no chance to catch my breath between all the events of this day. Mitch let Samantha pass and hastened to me at the same time.
"Oh, really? I hadn't noticed," I answered dryly.
"Samantha fooled me ... fooled us. The way you rushed on her in that rage, I really believed that you would have hurt her. Oh and when she really did fall, I thought you had blown a fuse," he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment as he tried to find an explanation for his behavior.
"You know, Mitch, Samantha's little schemes were nasty, but your reproaches weigh on me more. How could you believe that I would deliberately hurt a human being? How well do you even know me?"
"Obviously not well enough. But that can be changed. Tomorrow, let's go through the ads and look for an apartment together. You can even decide what neighborhood," he tried to make a reconciliation more palatable.
"With a balcony and a library?" I was open to the offer.
"With everything you like, my sweetheart. The main thing is that we're together again and we can leave this terrible chapter behind us as soon as possible," he made a move to kiss me.
"Mitch," I interrupted, "that's not enough."
"What else would you like? A car, a trip to Europe, or maybe you'd prefer Hawaii. I'll do anything you want. Just tell me what it is," his gaze was riveted on me as he waited to hear my desires.
"I want you," I replied quietly as I opened the top buttons of his shirt.
"Here and now?" he answered in disbelief.
"Yes, here and now. I'm not going to wait one more second," I flung my arms around his neck as he passionately kissed me.
A hundred-year sleep of torments and suffering lay behind me. Sleeping Beauty had been awakened!
Epilogue
Some months later
"Push."
Be calm. You can do it. Just breathe deeply and then think about the next steps. But what were they? What I should do? Maybe call somebody, but who? Was there Phone-a-Friend for these cases?
Bob was on a business trip to Canada, that much I knew. And it wasn't the first time that Sue blamed her husband, throwing insults, for leaving her alone in agony. Come on Stacy, pull yourself together. Sue needs your help now.
The loud "push" from the doctor and the face of my sister-in-law, contorted with pain, drove me to act. Abigail. Right, I would try her first. She would know what to do and she would inform the rest of the family.
"Where are
you going?" Sue screamed at me like an animal as I tried to leave the room to make an emergency call. Baring her teeth, she was watching every move I made. I stopped abruptly.
"You get back here this minute," she said authoritatively. The sound of her voice and the glint in her eyes made it clear that she wouldn't accept any arguments. "I can't do this alone," she pleaded.
I thought I'd check in with Abigail and tell her that we're at the hospital," I quietly defended my attempt at flight. A few minutes of time-out would have been really helpful to absorb what had happened in the past hour.
Mitch and I had moved fairly near Bob and Sue three months earlier. More by accident than anything else. The cottage was a dream. Located on the edge of Chicago with a garden and a big veranda, it was a totally lucky find. Until now, the proximity to Mitch's sister and her husband hadn't been much of an issue. We saw each other at family get-togethers and met now and then for a barbecue. No big deal. Until today.
Sue had stood in front of my door, totally distraught, telling me her water had broken. Why she had come to me, of all people, was a mystery. Instead of doing the right thing and getting to the hospital, she preferred to come to me and ask for help.
I hastily took her to the nearest clinic after the first contractions set in. What I learned about the birth process that day compelled me to check the little case in my handbag for the third time to see if I really had taken my pill.
Children are a blessing and someday, when I had processed this experience, I would certainly be open to the idea of having my own babies. After Sue had bitten me, scratched me and crushed the fingers of my right hand in these last sixty minutes, all thoughts of family planning were pushed into the far distant future.
We had just arrived a few days earlier after a relaxing, dreamy honeymoon in Aruba. As soon as Samantha had left the house, Mitch lived up to his word and asked if I would marry him.
I had been planning to inaugurate my brand new library that day and make myself comfortable on the upholstered window seat. Mitch was on the road and wouldn't arrive home until late in the evening.
