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For a while, our lives seemed to be readjusting. The return to what was normal for us had come, and there was even some laughter in our home again. Jesse was preparing for his return to college, and Mama and I had done most of the shopping for my return to school--new clothes, shoes, and a new school briefcase. There were ripples of optimism.
And then Darlene Pearson drove up one evening just as we had sat down for dinner. She rang the doorbell.
"Who could that be?" Daddy asked.
"Only one way to find out," Mama said, rising.
"It better not be one of those religious fanatics come to preach the end of the world," Daddy shouted after her. "I just might believe him."
Jesse and I smiled at each other and waited.
"Oh! Darlene," we heard Mama exclaim. Moments later, she followed her into the dining room.
"Sorry to interrupt your dinner," she declared with a smug smile that churned my stomach. I held my breath. "Late this afternoon, I learned the news, received confirmation that Karen is pregnant."
For a long moment, no one spoke. When I gazed at Jesse, I saw the explosion of pure terror and fear in his eyes. Daddy rose quickly and reached for the extra chair.
"Please, Darlene, have a seat."
She contemplated it as if it were on fire, and then she relented and sat, her lips drawn tightly, burying the corners in her cheeks.
"Apparently, Karen kept all the symptoms to herself," she continued.
"How far along is she?" Mama asked, slipping into her own seat.
"Ten weeks." She looked at Jesse. "Does anyone have any idea where Karen was ten weeks ago?" "Jesse?" Daddy said.
Jesse nodded, the guilt pouring off his face.
"What do you intend to do about it, Darlene?" Daddy asked her.
"It's not what I intend to do, is it?"
"She's bringing the baby to term?"
"I certainly won't ask her to have an abortion. I am not a good Catholic. I don't attend church regularly, but there are certain sins I won't commit"
"Of course not," Mama said, even though I suspected she would have chosen differently. "Have you spoken to Karen?"
"Yes. She says she must have the baby, it was an immaculate conception, but we know otherwise, don't we?" she asked, again glaring at Jesse.
"Of course, we'll pay any expenses," Daddy said.
"For how long?" Darlene countered instantly, turning to him.
"For as long as necessary," he said.
"I can tell you this much," she said. "Karen obviously cannot be a mother, and I, at this point in my life, don't want the obligation and responsibility of rearing another child. I failed terribly with my one and only."
Again, there was a long, silent pause.
"Well, I'm sure you can give the baby up for adoption," Daddy said.
"Yes, I'm sure. Like cleaning up after spilt milk" "I'll help you in any way I can," Daddy said. "Please, be assured of that, Darlene."
She nodded, her chin quivering. Mama rose and put her arm around her shoulders.
