Thirteen
Though he wanted to celebrate the pregnancy news with his wife the night before, they couldn't because she had to take care of last-minute details for her obligations the following day. Even now time was of the essence. Not only did she have to meet with the governor and his wife within an hour's time, but she had a wedding to cater today. The one thing he knew would guarantee a smile on Shania's face would be for him to agree to take the trip to Jamaica, so he told her that he wanted to go on the vacation.
She smiled when he told her, and she immediately called her travel agent to tell her to book the trip to Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios in four weeks. They tried to quell their excitement about their new baby and the trip, as well as their anxiety about this huge opportunity that Shania would receive if the governor chose her menu.
At the house, Shania made him taste-test each of the five items on her menu, and since he had skipped breakfast, Greg willingly obliged. The food was flawless, and there was no doubt in his mind that when the governor tasted what Shania had created, it was a done deal. A few seconds later, Shania's assistant arrived driving the Eat Your Heart Out catering truck. Together, he and the assistant loaded all the food for the wedding in the back of the truck.
“You go ahead to Highland Hall,” Shania told her assistant, “and set up shop. I'll meet you there after I finish meeting with the governor.”
“Okay,” her assistant said before squealing with delight. “Good luck! I know you got this.” She drove off.
Greg helped Shania load her finger foods into the back of the Range Rover, and even though it was only five dishes, he refused to let her pick up a single dish. Then he held open the passenger door for her.
“Greg,” she said and caught his face between her hands, “don't take this the wrong way, but this is something I want to do alone, okay? I really want to make a lasting impression on the governor, and with you in the room, it'll make me nervous.”
He frowned at her and pushed his lips out. This was one of the greatest opportunities she'd ever been offered, and he wanted to share this special moment with her. But in the same sense, he didn't want to be the cause of her failing to impress the governor simply because he was in the room.
Finally, Greg sighed and nodded. “Okay, babe. I understand.” He kissed her forehead. “Even though I won't be there with you physically, I'll be there with you in spirit, rooting you on.”
She kissed him long and hard. “Thanks for being so understanding. I love you.”
“I love you too.” He walked with her around the Range Rover, helped her inside, and then closed the driver door for her. He stood in the driveway, watching her back out. He sent a prayer up to God, asking Him to open the floodgates of heaven and send Shania His strength and His divine favor. Then he returned to the house and started cleaning.
Even though there wasn't much to clean up, Greg figured that since he didn't have a job, and since his wife already had such a busy day today, he could at least take some of the housework off her hands. He washed the few dishes left over from breakfast, mopped the kitchen floor, made up their bed and washed, folded, and put away two loads of laundry. Then he retreated to his office and resumed his job search. He figured that until he knew for certain whether he'd be able to start his own company, he might as well be productive and look for a job.
Once his brain began to hurt from filling out all the online applications, he closed his computer down and called the hospital to check up on Mother Washington. They transferred him to her room, and when she answered the phone, she didn't sound too good.
“Everything's okay? How're you feeling, Mother?” he asked.
“Blessed and highly favored, son,” she croaked into the phone.
“You don't sound too good.”
“Naw, I don't, do I?” she said, and managed to laugh. “Pastor Ray came up here to see me this morning. He prayed with me and that made me feel a lot better.”
Even though she couldn't see him, Greg smiled and nodded his head. “So when are they gonna let you go?”
“Well, suga,” she said, then cleared her throat long and hard, “they been pricking me like I'm a pin cushion, running all these tests on me. Said something ain't right with my blood. That's why I be so cold all the time. Today, they talking 'bout giving me a CAT scan. They just like having me over here 'cause I'm good company, and I help these nurses and doctors' day go by faster.”
It touched him that even in the midst of her pain and discomfort, she was still able to smile and make light about the situation. However, he noticed that she still hadn't answered his question. “So, when are they going to let you go home?” he asked again. “Shania's already set you up a real nice guest room. You're going to love it, Mother, I guarantee.”
“Oh, bless her heart,” Mother Washington laughed into the phone. “That Shania's a sweetheart. She tell you she's pregnant yet?”
Her words shocked him so much, he couldn't utter a single word.
“Gregory? You still there?”
“Yes, ma'am,” he said, nodding. “But . . . hâhow'd you know she was pregnant?”
Mother Washington laughed again. “As soon as I saw her face Sunday morning, I knew she was pregnant. Tell her she having a boy too. And she better name him after you.”
A smile tugged at Greg's lips. “How do you know she's having a boy, Mother?”
“I just know some things, suga.” She took a deep breath, then sighed into the phone. “Tell her thanks for setting that room up for me, but I don't think I'm gon' be needing it. All is well with my soul.”
Greg frowned. “Mother Washington, I can't let you go back to that house, not after what Kristen did to you.”
“I spoke to Kristen about what happened, and she apologized for making such a terrible mistake. She swore she didn't mean to do me no harm.” She paused. “God's gonna take care of Kristen. And God's gonna take care of me too.” She sighed into the phone, then let out another groan. “I love you, Greg, but I's gon' have to get off this phone. Talking so much got my head pounding again. I'm gon' close my eyes and get me some more rest.”
“You do that, Mother. I love you, and I'll be up there to see you soon.”
“I look forward to it,” she said, then ended the call.
About an hour later, Greg's iPhone rang the special tune that only played when his wife called. Holding his breath, he sent a quick prayer to God and answered the phone.
“I got it!” she yelled into his ear.
Greg had to pull the phone away from his ear as she screamed out her victory. “They picked you?” he asked.
“They picked me!” she exclaimed. “There are still two more individuals that they have to look at, but the governor was so impressed with my presentation and the taste of the food, he said he's already made up his mind. We signed the contract right then and there, and he even signed me an advancement check.”
“Congratulations, baby! This calls for a celebration. Let's go to Maggiano's.”
“Mmm,” she moaned into the phone. “I am ravenous, and Italian food sounds like a prescription from the doctor. I should be finished with the wedding around six-ish. Is that good?”
“That's great. Have fun at the wedding, and don't overwork yourself.”
“Make sure you call and make those reservations.”
Greg got off the phone and called Maggiano's to make reservations. Then he looked through the closet for something nice to wear, not too dressy, but not too casual, either. He settled on a pair of dark khakis and a white button-up, collared shirt.
While waiting for Shania to finish with the wedding, he decided to go by the hospital and check on Mother Washington. She was asleep when he arrived, so instead of waking her, he simply sat by her bedside and watched over her. Then he got on his bike and took a relaxing ride down a long winding back road.
When he returned home, he stripped off his clothes in the bedroom. As he stepped into the shower and cracked the glass door closed, the bathroom door swung open. He pulled back the curtain just a tad and smiled at his wife. “So how'd it go?”
“Perfect,” she said and smiled at him while she curled a piece of hair around her finger. “I love weddings. They always bring back the excitement and nostalgia I felt on our wedding day. The bride looked like a princess and the groom looked like her knight in shining armor. The whole wedding was like one big fairytale.”
She was glowing with happiness, and Greg loved seeing her like this. He wasn't sure if the glow came from her flawless day or from the baby taking shape in her womb, but whatever the case, he felt himself lengthening from the need to have her.
“Babe,” he said softly.
He didn't have to say another word. Somehow she understood what he wanted and needed. Without hesitation, she slipped out of her clothing and joined him. He made love to her against the shower wall, very slow and carefulâcautious not to hurt her. The fact that not only was he making love to his wife, but to the future mother of his child, heightened his sexual desire.
After they finished showering, they got dressed and headed over to Maggiano's.
They pulled up at Maggiano's and let the valet park their car. Inside, they ordered a huge plate of smothered vermicelli covered in mozzarella and Parmesan. Together, they ate every bite.
While eating, Greg thought about telling Shania about his plans to start a business. He remembered how upset she had been when he'd made the bike purchase without touching base with her first, and he figured she'd be upset about this decision as well. However, he knew if he told her that he was considering starting his own business, she'd want to invest in him and pay for everything. But he didn't want her money. There was no guarantee that his business would succeed, and he didn't want Shania's nest egg on the line.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
Greg forced a smile for her sake and twirled the vermicelli noodles around the fork tines. This was the perfect opportunity to let her know what all was going on in his head. Instead of mentioning the business loan, he said, “I'm a bit worried about Mother. She didn't sound too good when I talked to her on the phone earlier. I went by the hospital to check on her, but she was sleeping.”
Shania lifted her glass to her lips and took a small sip. “Honey, Mother Washington will be fine. She's strong and she's a fighter. I have no doubt that God'll bring her out of this. So don't stress yourself about it.” She cleared her throat, then said, “But I've been wondering . . . Why didn't you tell me about that woman at the dealership?”
Greg knew that question was coming eventually. “Babe,” he said, “like I told you before, I didn't tell you about her because I didn't think it was important. She was coming on to me, even after I told her I was happily married. When I rejected her, she got all mad. I didn't know she was Mother Washington's daughter.”
Shania nodded and chewed thoughtfully before saying, “Listen, honey.” She put her fork down. “I trust you, and I believe you, okay? If you said nothing happened between you and that woman, then I believe you. But if our marriage is going to be a success, you need to tell me things, okay? Don't leave me in the dark about situations. I'm more understanding than you give me credit for.”
Once again, he heard God whisper,
Here's your chance. Tell her.
He opened his mouth, closed it, then cleared his throat and stared at their half-eaten plate. He picked up his glass, sipped his drink and said, “So, when are we going to start on the baby's room?”
For the rest of dinner, they refrained from conversing about any touchy subjects. They just talked about their love for each other and the seed that was taking root in Shania's belly. They reminisced on the early stages in their relationship, like whenever Shania would shoot down all Greg's advances while she played hard to get.
They left the restaurant arm in arm, heads held back, and laughing. For once in a very long time, Greg felt a peaceful bond between them, even though a few things still nagged at his conscience.
After Maggiano's, they went to a small club on the far side of town that had a live jazz band that exceeded any other live jazz band he'd ever heard. Greg's favorite two instruments in the band were the low registers from the bass guitar combined with the sultry blows of the alto saxophone.
He glanced over at Shania, who was bouncing in her seat, her head bobbing as she grooved to the relaxing music. They drank lemon water and spoke few words. They let the musicians use their instruments to do the talking for them. The last number that the band played had a very provocative feel to it. Greg glanced over at Shania and the embers of passion burning in her eyes told him that she felt it too.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Let's get out of here.”