Lie to Me

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Instinctively, she let go of Noah’s hands and held her stomach. “That sounds scary. What’s that?”

  The doctor made eye contact with them both. “Your baby may be at risk for Down syndrome.” He looked at the calendar on his desk. “I’d like to schedule another ultrasound and a blood test around the second week of May.”

  “No.” Sydney cupped her mouth. Tears immediately began to fall. But, her lawyer instincts rose to the surface. “What are you looking for exactly?”

  “During the ultrasound, I’ll perform a nuchal translucency test where I’ll measure the fluid on the back of the baby’s neck. The blood test would measure your pregnancy-associated protein plasma level, or PAPP-A for short and your hCG levels.”

  Sydney’s head swirled. She glanced at Noah who remained motionless and silent. “hCG?” She shrugged her shoulders at the doctor to indicate she didn’t understand.

  “Sorry, hCG stands for a hormone called human chronic gonadotropin. If your screening shows abnormal levels of both PAPP-A and hCG, this may indicate a problem with the baby.”

  “Down syndrome,” Sydney replied in a monotone voice. How did she get here? How did she move from such a high to such a low?

  Dr. Wachowski retrieved several pamphlets and handed them to Sydney. “I’ll have Angie schedule your appointment. Please remember this is a screening. Based on the results, we would perform a more extensive diagnostic test,” he said quietly. “In the meantime, I think it would be a good idea for you both to talk to a counselor. I have someone I can recommend.”

  Sydney nodded. This was too much for her to grasp. She wanted to pinch herself and wake up. She was dreaming—no—living a nightmare. This couldn’t happen to her. She couldn’t be having this conversation with the doctor.

  “But, I’m so young,” Sydney stated.

  “It’s rare, but it can happen,” the doctor’s blue eyes were empathetic.

  Sydney shook her head. “I can’t believe this.”

  Noah had a different reaction. “Isn’t surgery an option?”

  “Surgery?” Doctor Wachowski’s brows furrowed.

  Noah gave him a pointed look until Sydney’s eyes widened.

  She glared. “Are you asking what I think you are asking, Noah Charleston? Are my ears deceiving me? Because you couldn’t be asking what I think you’re asking. You can’t be asking the doctor about aborting our child.”

  Noah took her hand in his and gave it a small squeeze. Sydney removed her hand. Noah addressed Dr. Wachowski in an ominous tone. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

  10

  “Belinda, give it a rest, please. It’s been two weeks. Your car is like new again.” Lance pulled his vehicle into her driveway.

  She pointed a finger in his face. “No, I can’t forget it or give it a rest, to use your words. Because of one of your women, my life could be in danger.”

  “Don’t you think I know that? I’ve been racking my brain and consulting with the cops to no avail. Besides, your damage was reparable. My imported white Persian rug was permanently ruined by baby doo.”

  Belinda covered her mouth to control her spontaneous chuckle.

  Lance shook his head. “Not cool, Bells. Not cool.”

  “Well, it’s payback for all the mess you’ve done in your life.”

  “I’m not like that anymore,” Lance looked upward. “Why is this happening?”

  She knew why. Lance loved women and women loved Lance. Why did she have to fall for a reformed man-whore? She scurried to the front door while digging for her keys. Her chest heaved. Lance Forbes wasn’t fooling her. She wasn’t naive.

  A pair of hands held onto her shoulders.

  Lance turned her around. “I’m sorry, honey. I promise you, I’ll find out who mustarded your car.”

  Belinda felt tears form. “Is mustarded even a word?” Without waiting for a response, she undid the locks and walked inside her home.

  Lance scratched his head. “The only person I know crazy enough to do this is Monica. She’s the real MVP of crazy. But, she’s in Atlanta.”

  Monica. Goose bumps rose on Belinda’s arms. Her insides churned.

  Monica had been certifiable in high school. Boys were drawn to her exotic looks, but they usually took off in the other direction within weeks of meeting her. There was also the still unsolved mystery of the gym teacher’s rabbit. Coach Kline’s rabbit went missing after he turned down Monica’s advances. He’d ended up resigning after Monica lied that he touched her. It was the talk of the school. Everyone avoided her after that incident. Sydney had been one of Monica’s few friends. And she ended up sleeping with Lance behind Sydney’s back.

  The memory returned that Belinda had done the same. But it was different, she told herself. Belinda hadn’t pretended to father a child with Lance and she had only been with him once. Not that once wasn’t enough. Ugh! She wouldn’t compare herself to that nut job.

  Belinda placed a hand on her hips. “How do you know Monica’s not back in town?”

  “No.” Lance shook his head. “Believe me; Monica Riley has no reason to come back here. I made sure of that.”

  “Are you sure, Lance?” Belinda raised an eyebrow. “You and Monica had a child together. I mean, you ran off with her and skipped out of your own wedding.”

  “Correction. Quinn is not my child. I have the paternity test results to prove that. She tricked me into thinking the baby was mine. That’s what she told me the morning of my wedding. That’s why I ran off and couldn’t face you, even though I’d just left your bed.”

  Belinda cringed. Lance’s past sounded sordid, like a broke-down version of a soap opera. “This is what happens when you sleep with more than one woman at the same time.” She hated being a part of that whole episode. Belinda wished she could erase her actions because she’d betrayed Sydney by sleeping with her fiancé the night before her wedding. Never mind that Sydney was now married to an anointed man of God. Sometimes the past slapped you in the face and you had no choice but to acknowledge the dirt that was your life before Christ. Thank God for redemption.

  Lance’s thoughts echoed her own. “God has forgiven me, and I’ve come too far to have regrets. Besides, if I never went through any of that, I wouldn’t have come to Christ and I wouldn’t now be engaged to the woman of my dreams.” He captured her into his arms after speaking with potent conviction.

  Belinda snuggled close. “I know God is at work, because I mean, who else could have orchestrated the friendship between you and Noah? Sydney and I aren’t where we were, but we’re actually at a good place.”

  Lance stroked her hair. “I’m sorry for this whole mess. I told Noah about it. He prayed with me. He also thinks it’s a woman.”

  Belinda swallowed the jealousy swirling around in her tummy. She hated the thought of Lance being with anyone else. She bit her lip, worried about the mystery troublemaker from Lance’s past.

  Her cell phone rang. She stepped out of Lance’s arms to check. Belinda answered quickly when she saw who was calling. “Suds? Hey, what’s up?”

  Lance sat on her couch and turned the television. Belinda covered her free ear to make out Sydney’s words.

  “Slow down. I can hardly hear you.”

  Sydney sounded incoherent. It sounded like she said she needed to meet. Belinda clutched her chest. “What’s going on?”

  Lance looked her way. She waved him off.

  “I need to see you…” Sydney sounded like she was crying.

  Belinda looked at her watch. “I can meet you at Applebee’s in about ten minutes.” She rushed into the bathroom to brush her teeth and change into a comfortable pair of shoes. Belinda called out to Lance. “I’m on my way out. Will you be here when I get back?”

  “Nah, I’ll probably head home as soon as the game is over.” Lance paused live-TV.

  Of all the latest technological trends in TV land, this was Belinda’s favorite. She could use the bathroom, get a snack, and best of all, stop to talk while not missin
g any of her favorite shows.

  “Okay, I’ll call you later.” Belinda rushed through the door.

  Ten minutes later, she walked into Applebee’s. Since this one opened on King’s Highway, it had become one of their favorite haunts. Whenever they frequented the restaurant, they chose the booth directly behind the hostess counter. Belinda tilted her head to see if Sydney was there. Sure enough, Sydney beckoned her over.

  Her face looked red and puffy, which heightened Belinda’s concern.

  Belinda quickened her pace to the table. She greeted Sydney with a kiss on the cheek. Sydney had ordered two glasses of strawberry lemonade. It was gestures like those, which made Sydney irreplaceable. Sydney already knew her. All her little pet peeves, her favorite things, her secrets. Belinda resolved to continue repairing the damage she’d caused their relationship. She believed in the saying you can’t help who you love, but she’d broken the sister-friend code by dating Lance, Sydney’s ex-fiancé.

  Belinda pushed those memories back. God had forgiven her transgressions, though she carried the consequences of her actions and battled with feeling forgiven.

  “Hey,” she said as she sat in the booth. “Thanks for the lemonade.”

  Sydney shrugged. “Hi.” She had a straw in her own glass of lemonade, which she twirled, deep in thought.

  Belinda took a quick sip of her drink, enjoying the cool sensation of the tangy liquid seeping down her throat. “Ooh, this is good.”

  Sydney chewed on her bottom lip.

  “Talk to me. I love you. I’m here for you.”

  Sydney smiled. “Bells, you know me so well.”

  Belinda heard Sydney use her old nickname and relaxed. Thank you, Lord. Her prayers were finally paying off. However, the tangible sadness in Sydney’s tone overshadowed the small victory. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  “What?” Belinda’s lemonade spewed out of her mouth. “Wow. I’m so happy for you. How many months are you?”

  “A little over two months. I’m due December twelfth.”

  Belinda sipped her lemonade while she processed that tidbit. That meant Sydney might have known for a while. “So, how long have you known?”

  “I just found out. And, you’re among the select few people I plan to tell until I reach the end of my first trimester.”

  Belinda nodded but inside her brain was working overtime. Was Portia among the chosen? And, more importantly, did Sydney tell her first? She really hoped not. Normally, Belinda would have asked, but she kept her mouth shut. She wouldn’t jeopardize her tenuous relationship with Sydney. Instead, she leaned over to touch Sydney’s hand and repeated, “I’m truly happy for you and Noah. He must be excited.”

  “Please.” Sydney bunched her lips.

  Belinda straightened. Was the fairytale souring already? “What’s that please about? Isn’t Noah thrilled about the pregnancy?”

  “Well…” Sydney looked up at one of the television screens as if she were interested in sports.

  “Sydney, you can talk to me.”

  Sydney released a plume of air. “I do need to get this off my chest. I need to talk to someone. It’s been two weeks since I’ve been to the doctor and I can’t even look Noah in the eyes or tolerate his presence.”

  Belinda’s mouth hung open. She knew from experience she had to be a sounding board until Sydney finished her tirade.

  “Where is the man I married? Can you tell me where he’s disappeared to?” Sydney’s chest heaved. “Maybe I did rush into things. Maybe we married too soon. But in my defense, from the moment we met, we were in sync with everything.” She looked at Belinda. “You saw it, too, right?”

  Belinda nodded.

  Sydney continued. “And these past eight and a half months, I’ve been swimming in marital bliss.” Her shoulders slumped. “Until this… Noah’s reaction to our baby news caught me off guard.”

  Finally, they were getting to root cause of her turmoil. Belinda gestured for Sydney to continue.

  “I haven’t said anything to my parents yet because I don’t want to sully their opinion of Noah. They wouldn’t respond well to their son-in-law suggesting an abortion.”

  “What?” Belinda knew her eyes were wide. “Did you say…?”

  Sydney looked at the other patrons and lowered her voice. “Yes. Yes, I did say that word.” She took Belinda’s hand. “It feels good to be able to tell someone who knows me. I don’t have to keep up the pretense of being the perfect First Lady. The truth is; Noah and I are barely on speaking terms. I’ve been sleeping in the guest room.”

  Belinda shook her head. “But you both look so happy in church on Saturday. I would never think anything was wrong.”

  “Things are very wrong.” Sydney drank the rest of her lemonade like she’d been thirsty for days, then wiped her mouth with a napkin. “At first, when Noah found out about the baby, he was ecstatic. Then, we learned I might be carrying a Down syndrome baby.”

  Belinda moved to sit next to Sydney. “I can’t imagine how scary that must be for you.” Her eyes narrowed. “Aren’t you too young? I mean, isn’t that for older people?”

  “Apparently not,” Sydney said in a wobbly voice.

  Belinda hugged her.

  The waitress unobtrusively gave them both refills, and Belinda ordered some appetizers.

  Once they were alone, Sydney continued. “I have to wait a few weeks before the doctors can be certain, but Noah didn’t even wait to hear that. All he asked about was scheduling surgery.” Sydney’s voice dripped with contempt. She slurred the word surgery like it was profanity.

  Belinda covered her mouth with her hand. She was shocked down to her green-colored pedicured toes. She stirred her lemonade with the straw. Some of it sloshed onto the table. She placed a napkin over the spill to keep the liquid from flowing to the floor.

  Sydney clenched her fists. “Where is his faith in God? How could he even entertain the thought of an abortion?”

  “I don’t know,” Belinda was at a loss for words. “Have you asked him?”

  Sydney shook her head. “I can’t even look at him. It takes every ounce of willpower for me to stand with him on Sabbath, knowing he wants me to abort our child because it may not be perfect. He isn’t even willing to give our child a chance. Doesn’t God want us? We’re not perfect.”

  Sydney broke down. Belinda was glad they were the only two occupants on this side of the restaurant. She hugged Sydney and wiped her tears. With much effort, Sydney composed herself when the waitress returned with their order.

  Thankfully, the young lady made no attempt to engage in meaningless conversation. She was, however, observant enough to leave extra napkins on the table and depart. For that, Belinda would give her a huge tip.

  “Maybe Noah reacted without thinking. Maybe he panicked. I know he’s a preacher, but he is human.”

  Sydney picked up a chicken wing. “He wants me to do it because he hasn’t apologized or said he’s changed his mind. Instead, he has been locking himself in his office or our bedroom praying to God at the top of his lungs to remove this… what does he say?” Her brows furrowed. “Predicament.” Sydney touched her tummy. “My baby isn’t a predicament. She is a living human being created by God.” She put the wing back on the plate.

  Belinda nodded and popped one of the boneless wings in her mouth. She could understand Noah’s pain. Noah was probably blaming himself or was afraid for Sydney. But, Belinda knew better than to say anything. Sydney wasn’t going to hear it. “I think you and Noah need to talk. You can’t let this feeling fester between you and destroy your marriage.”

  “If he makes me do something like this, I would never forgive him.”

  Wait up. Independent woman that she was, Belinda wondered if she’d heard right. Her neck snapped back and forth. “What do you mean… if he makes you? Noah can’t make you do anything you don’t want to. It’s your choice and your body. Marriage had better not transform you into some simpering, helpless female
. You’re a lawyer. You’re independent and you’re saved. You have God. You have family.” She pointed to her chest. “And, you have me. If you agree to the abortion, I won’t blame Noah. I’d blame you.”

  Sydney bit her lip. “But, Noah might leave me. As mad as I am at him, I love that man. I don’t want to imagine life without him.” Her tone hardened. “But, I’m not living without my baby either.” She whispered. “I feel so alone.”

  “You’re not alone. You have God. Trust Him to know what He’s doing.”

  “Why? Why me? Why is God punishing me like this?”

  “God isn’t punishing you. Are you saying that the parents of every disabled person are being punished?”

  “No…but…I don’t know.” Sydney shrugged. “I don’t know what to think at this point. I’m not even sure I could handle a special needs child. Being a new mother to a healthy child is tough enough. My mother struggled with me.”

  “My advice is to wait until you get the results and then decide after that. The race is not for the swift... but for those who endure.” Belinda twirled her fingers, signifying she knew she’d messed up the verse, but Sydney got the drift.

  Sydney tilted her head. “When did you get so wise?” She picked up the wing and popped it in her mouth.

  “It’s easy for me to talk because it isn’t my struggle. But, I promise, I’ll be right there beside you.”

  11

  “Hi,” Noah said. His eyes pleaded with her to talk to him.

  “Hi,” Sydney returned. She’d been asleep in the guest room and awakened to pee. Her growling tummy had sent her to the refrigerator instead of back to bed. The microwave clock said 1:13 a.m. She had been asleep for about five hours. Sydney had every intention of finishing her takeout from earlier. She opened the refrigerator, then closed it. The smells assailed her nostrils and she didn’t want to get an attack of nausea.

  Noah walked in and placed an empty glass into the dishwasher. Sydney suspected it was because he’d heard her in the kitchen.