Her mother crossed the room, and took her ice cold hands into her warm ones. “I think you know what I mean.”
Heidi pulled her hands free, and moved to the window, staring at the early spring flowers in her mother’s prized garden. The burst of color brought a smile to her lips. She leaned against the glass to catch a glimpse of the new leaves on her favorite oak tree. New life-in the garden, and in her belly. “In case you’re wondering, I’m happy about it.” Her warm breath left a small circle of moisture on the window.
She didn’t
realize her mother approached until her soft voice came from directly behind her. “The only thing, apparently, that you’re happy about these days.”
Heidi turned to lean against the window sill, and shrugged.
“Michael’s, I assume?”
Heidi nodded.
“And tomorrow you’re marrying Clarence.”
She nodded again.
Mother shook her head. “Don’t you think you owe it to Michael to tell him he’s to be a father?”
Heidi lifted her chin. “Michael’s not going to be a father. I’m going to be a mother.”
“Don’t play with me, Heidi.” Her mother sighed and sat on the bed. “You seem to have quite a mess on your hands.”
“I can handle it.” Could she? Even visions of the two weeks in Dallas on their so-called honeymoon caused her already empty stomach to rebel. She joined her mother on the bed, and picked at a thread from the center of a purple flower.
Her mother cupped her chin, and rubbed her thumb over her cheek. “I don’t think you’ve done a good enough job up till now. How can you accept a marriage to Clarence?”
“It’s what everyone wants,” she mumbled to her lap.
Mother shifted on the bed, and pulled a familiar folded piece of paper from her dress pocket. “There’s more to it, isn’t there?”
All of Heidi’s blood left her face. “How did you find that?”
Her mother unfolded the letter, and held the cursed paper up, dangling in front of Heidi’s eyes like a poisonous snake. “In your drawer, when I returned clean clothes. I think it’s time to explain.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
When the blasted knocking wouldn’t cease, despite ignoring it, Michael threw on a pair of pants, flung open his front door, and now stood glowering at his unwanted visitor.
“Good morning, big brother.” Ellie tilted her head. “Aren’t you in a fine mood today?”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “What do you want? I have to get ready for work.”
“Can I at least come in?”
“Sorry,” he mumbled and waved her past.
Ellie followed Michael to the kitchen, where he dragged out a chair, turned it around, and straddled it. He leaned his forearms on the back. “What do you want?”
“Michael, you look terrible.”
“Thank you. If that’s what you’ve come to say, I wish you a good day.” He rose as if to leave.
Her eyes flashed. “Sit down, Michael. You’re making me mad.” Her face softened as she regarded him. “The only other person I’ve seen lately who looks worse than you is Heidi.”
Michael jerked. “This conversation is over.”
Ellie hopped up. “No it’s not.” She grabbed his arm as he moved past her. “What’s going on, Michael?”