Annamarie walked to her bedroom and Paula said, “She’ll be busy for a while. I see one of her short story type letters in the works.”
“I remember mailing those for her. I guess I’ll be doing it again. She’s so brave and strong. I know her heart must be breaking.”
“She’s trying to be calm for the baby.”
“I always knew Daniel would hurt her, but I never thought it would be this way. Life can be so cruel at times.”
“We will do our best to make it good for her,” said Paula and she took her husband’s hand.
* * *
Bulk finished his talk with the construction foreman and was offered the job. The foreman said he could get a ride with one of the other workers living at the motel and would start first thing Monday morning.
Bulk thanked him.
“It’s good to have you on our crew, Eddie.”
Bulk had decided he no longer wanted to be Bulk, the big kid from high school who messed up his knee and his chance at pro-ball. Edwin was his legal name and he put it on the job application. Eddie suited him for the beginning of his new life. He was excited and called his brother back in Oaklin. His brother was concerned and wanted to know where Bulk was.
“I’m somewhere warm and happy. I have a new job and the guys call me Eddie, not Bulk. Please give me some time to be alone and make my way. I’ll let you know where I am soon. I have to prove myself as Eddie the adult and not Bulk the screw-up.”
“I understand and will wait for your next call.”
He didn’t tell him about Daniel because it would undo all the good Eddie’s freedom seemed to have done for him. His brother was concerned about money.
“I have enough here and I left an adequate amount in the account back in Oaklin, plus my new construction job gives me a paycheck each week. Everything will be fine.”
The brothers hung up, both hoping Eddie was right.
* * *
Annamarie found the pink floral stationary she used for writing letters to Carl. He had asked her to use plain paper because the guys were teasing him about having a secret girl back home. They didn’t believe the letters were from his kid sister. Annamarie began her letter to Carl the way she always did.
“Dear Carl, I hope and pray this letter finds you well. We all love and miss you and are counting the days until you can come home.”
Then she would begin to tell him about all the wonderful things going on in her life, but this time she had to discuss the dreadful things going on in town. She knew her mom had written and told him about Ben, but Annamarie told him about Garret and Daniel. She poured her heart out to her big brother and told him she wasn’t sure how to live without Daniel. His dying was such a shock and then she told him she was pregnant.
While she wrote, she was truly beginning to believe Daniel’s death had been a shock and she barely remembered what had happened on the bluff. Was it a defense mechanism to keep her calm or Magdalena keeping her safe from harm? Annamarie remembered enough to consider both scenarios, but her memory was dimming. She folded the pages of the letter and managed to fit them into the matching envelope. She sealed it and added some tape to keep it sealed. After addressing it to her brother, she gave it a quick squirt of the perfume he hated because she knew it would make him smile and want to strangle her at the same time. She walked out, handed the letter to her dad, and asked him if he would mail it.
He lifted it. “You wrote him another book, I see.”
“Dad!”
“Yes, I’ll mail it in the morning,” Theo told her and she hugged him.
* * *
The rest of the weekend was uneventful and peaceful. Annamarie and her parents went to church and then drove to Oaklin for a quiet lunch where no one knew who they were. Annamarie said it was nice not to be seen as, “poor Mrs. Logan who recently lost her husband.” The waitress had called her “Miss” and it felt good. She knew everyone in Timmus Woods only wanted the best for her, but they would also stare and whisper whenever they saw her. Once the baby began to show, there would be more talk and whispers about how sad it was that she was a widow at her age. She felt being anonymous was wonderful. She hoped it would continue.
* * *
Monday morning arrived sooner than Annamarie expected and at nine o’clock, she dialed Dr. Fox’s number. The receptionist told her Dr. Norse had called and told them to expect her call. Dr. Fox said he wanted to see her at one o’clock. Annamarie agreed to the appointment and hung up the phone.
She began to cry and her mom was worried about her again.
“What’s wrong, dear?”
“He wants to see me right after lunch, I’m scared.”
“Don’t be; remember Dr. Norse told you that he wanted you to be seen soon because he was worried about you fainting.”
“I know, Mom, but childbirth is the most natural thing in the world and they’re making such a fuss it worries me.”
“Yes, it’s natural, but we have so many medical advances and childbirth is safer than in your grandmother’s day. Be happy they want to be sure everything is all right and don’t forget whether you want the people in town to treat you special or not, you’re now a Logan and they’re going to treat you like one.”
“When Daniel was here, I thought being a Logan was going to be fun, now it seems more of a burden.”
“It can be, but it can also be a blessing because it’ll open doors for you and your child. People will always be willing to help.”
“I suppose.”
“Let’s have breakfast. I’ll make you crepes instead of scrambled eggs if you promise to eat.”
“You have a deal.”
Annamarie was too nervous to eat lunch, but her mom made her drink a glass of milk and eat some fruit to settle her stomach. She promised to make one of Annamarie’s favorite suppers, homemade hash if she drank all her milk.
“I love your hash, but you don’t have to treat me like a child. I’ll drink the milk for the baby.”
“But you’re my child, my baby girl, and always will be, don’t forget it, dear.”
Sitting in the front passenger seat on the way to the doctor’s office, Annamarie complained that she missed her car. Her mom suggested she discuss it with the doctor. Before she went back to all her normal activities, she should be sure the doctor said it was okay.
“Yes, Mom.”
She knew her mom was concerned. Arriving at the doctor’s office, Annamarie was nervous. The last time she was there was before she and Daniel married and she needed a blood test and a prescription for birth control pills. She never took the pills because she was already pregnant.
The nurse came out and called Annamarie’s name and she followed her to an empty exam room. The nurse took her blood pressure, weighed her, and asked her a lot of questions. She also left her a questionnaire to fill out while she waited for Dr. Fox and asked her to get undressed and sit on the exam table. She was given another one of the lovely paper gowns to wear. She barely finished the form when Dr. Fox knocked on the door and came into the room.
“Hello, Annamarie, Dr. Norse is a bit concerned about you and I would like to be sure all’s well with you and your baby.”
He also had questions for her while he examined her and then he said she could get dressed and he would be back shortly.
The nurse told Annamarie’s mom she could join her daughter if she wished.
Annamarie finished dressing by the time Paula joined her.
“I’m glad you’re here, Mom, I don’t like these exams.”
Her mom told her things would get better, but Annamarie had her doubts.
Dr. Fox knocked again and entered the room. He told Annamarie he thought she fainted more from shock than the pregnancy. Since she hadn’t had any problems before or since, nerves were most likely the culprit. He also said Annamarie was in excellent health. He wasn’t overly concerned about the blood count, but they’d test it again in a month. He told her to be sure she continued with the vitamins and if
she felt faint again, to let him know immediately, even in the middle of the night. She knew she wouldn’t feel faint again; the first time was faked, but only Annamarie knew the secret.
“Can I drive my car?”
“You can do pretty much everything you did before you became pregnant, with a few exceptions. I don’t want you to do any heavy lifting, but rest when you feel tired and get a full night’s sleep every night. Take the vitamins and eat the foods on the list my nurse will bring you along with other healthy foods. Oh yes, before I forget, from what you told me, I calculate your due date to be March tenth.”
Paula and Annamarie thanked the doctor and walked to the car. Paula was quiet while she walked and Annamarie asked her why she wasn’t talking.
“I was thinking March tenth is roughly eight months from your wedding. I think the doctor’s wrong.”
“He isn’t wrong, Mom.”
“Oh, okay, I’m not sure what your dad will say.”
Annamarie began to cry again.
“I need Daniel. I can’t do this alone, if people are going to judge me.”
“Your dad won’t judge, he still sees you as his little girl.”
“I hope so.”
* * *
Annamarie and her mom didn’t talk more about her visit with Dr. Fox and the due date never came up at supper. Annamarie and her parents enjoyed supper and were finishing dessert when the doorbell rang.
Theo opened the door, “George and Maureen, how nice to see you.”
“Oh no,” moaned Annamarie.
Paula stroked her hair, “Take a deep breath, dear.”
Maureen and George came in and sat in the living room. They were concerned about Annamarie and wanted to see her. Annamarie said she felt sick and was going to her room. Paula tried to keep the conversation lighthearted, but Maureen kept complaining about one thing or another going on with Annamarie.
Theo, having enough of Maureen’s attitude, demanded, “Leave my daughter alone, she’s pregnant and fragile.”
“Pregnant!” shouted Maureen. “When were you going to tell me?”
“Soon,” retorted Paula. “We only found out today.”
“How far along is she, it can’t be much, when is she due?”
“March tenth,” admitted Paula, wishing she could lie.
Maureen looked as if she was concentrating on something said, “It’s seven months from now, which means she was pregnant before she married Daniel. How do we know the baby is his?”
Theo stood up and faced Maureen. “What are you implying?”
George insisted, “She’s not implying anything she’s only rambling the way she usually does,” and then he told his wife to shut up. Maureen was fuming.
Annamarie was grateful her parents had an extension phone in their room because she used it to call Mr. Townsend at home. He answered and a distraught Annamarie explained why she called.
“Of course, he’s the father,” explained Mr. Townsend. “Firstly, no one would ever think he wasn’t except for Maureen and secondly, you and Daniel were legally married. You’re his widow and for all legal purposes, the same rights hold true as if Daniel were still alive. When your baby is born, he or she will be a Logan no matter what. Don’t let Maureen get to you and if she becomes a problem, I’ll call George and speak to him. Now don’t worry, you’re having Daniel’s child and all will be well. I think Maureen is trying to find a loophole in the will concerning the house, but remember you’re legally a Logan, too. How are you feeling? I should have asked first thing, but you sounded frantic. I hope this has helped you.”
“I feel much better now, sir, thank you.”
Annamarie was extremely grateful to Mr. Townsend for his time and advice.
She walked back into the living room and everyone was sitting silently.
“Why isn’t anyone talking? Maybe I should.”
She looked directly at Maureen.
“This is Daniel’s baby biologically, no matter what you think. Legally, I’m a Logan and my child will be a Logan, no one can change or dispute that. You could try, but Mr. Townsend said you’d lose.”
Annamarie added, “You might want to be kinder to us if you want to be part of our lives.”
Maureen decided it was time to go and she and George left without saying goodnight.
“Okay,” Theo said, “you handled things nicely Annamarie and I’m not going to question the due date, I only want you and the baby to be happy and healthy.”
Annamarie hugged her dad and felt everything was going to be okay. It was getting late and everyone decided to get some sleep. Annamarie slept straight through until morning.
* * *
Her mom was awake early and singing in the kitchen. It meant she’d had her two cups of coffee. It was a good thing Paula’s mood was happy. Annamarie felt a bit grumpy, mostly due to Maureen and her bad attitude. Her mom managed to change her attitude and they had a nice breakfast.
The phone rang a little after nine o’clock. It was Bonnie and she said she had a great idea. She and Deb wanted to take Annamarie out to lunch in Oaklin.
“Could we do a little shopping? I need to check out some maternity clothes.”
“Shopping is shopping. Deb and I will be happy to help.”
“Wait a minute, mom has been hovering lately. I better ask her first.”
She walked into the kitchen. “Mom, Deb and Bonnie want to take me shopping and have lunch in Oaklin today.”
“Well, Dr. Fox said you could do things, but don’t get too tired.”
“I won’t, Mom, thanks.”
“Deb’s driving. We’ll be there in about an hour.”
“Great, I have to get ready.”
She hung up the phone and looked at her mom and asked, “Do you think it’s okay? I don’t want people to think I’m insensitive or running around so soon after Daniel passed away, but I do need a little break. I need to look for maternity clothes, especially for work. Am I an awful person, Mom?”
“Of course not. I understand and you’re so young. Sitting around and crying all day isn’t good for you or the baby. Being with Bonnie and Deb will make you smile and reduce the stress you’re under and that has to be good for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Annamarie headed off to bathe.
A short while later, Annamarie came back into the kitchen and asked her mom, “Do I need to wear all black today? Should I buy black maternity clothes, if they make them?”
“Goodness no, we discussed this before. You aren’t your great-grandmother and times have changed. You’re still a teenager technically and you should dress like one. Buy some pretty maternity clothes in nice colors. It’ll make you feel good when you wear them.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She knew everyone expected her to be sad and crying, but she was excited about this shopping trip. It was exactly like the one she imagined. She hoped all her dreams came true this easily.
Bonnie and Deb arrived right on time and Annamarie was ready to go. Her mom called after her not to overdo it and she promised. She asked Deb if they could go past the little house and pick up the mail that was accumulating, but Bonnie said her dad was holding it all at the post office. They could stop there.
When they arrived at the post office, Bonnie jumped out. “I’ll get it from my dad for you. You rest.”
Annamarie smiled at her friend and wondered how they got from the first day in junior high to where they are now. One on her way to finish nursing school, one married to a deputy sheriff, and one a pregnant widow. Bonnie came back with a stack of mail and Annamarie began to go through it. It was mostly bills and some catalogs and magazines. She was hoping for a letter from Carl, but not today.
She did notice a post card with the Chicago night skyline. It was simply addressed to Mr. Logan, Juniper Lane, Timmus Woods. It read: Thanks for the financial advice. My vacation was wonderful and I’m back home. It was signed “N.” Annamarie knew Nancy made it back east and wouldn’t say a word about Daniel or h
is plan. One less worry off her mind.
When they drove through town, they noticed Garret’s mechanics shop was open and the kid who worked with Garret was painting the outside, which needed it desperately.
Annamarie explained, “Mrs. Frant said they have a new owner for the shop and the Frants’ house.”
“It was sad they felt the need to leave town. I hope it won’t make Steve feel worse. He’s slowly coming around after shooting Garret and realizing it was in the line of duty,” admitted Deb.
The three girls discussed where to have lunch and what shop to stop at first. Annamarie said it wouldn’t take her long in the maternity shop since she would have to go back for warmer clothes to get her into March. She was hoping to find two or three skirts and some tops for work. She could always wear a sweater if she felt cold in the fall.
“Annamarie, are you sure the doctor is right, you should be due in April, not March.”
“Bonnie, do I have to explain this to a nursing student? Pregnancy takes nine months, and shock of all shocks, Daniel and I did it twenty-six days before we were married and we didn’t use a condom. Is the entire town going to do the math?”
“Sorry, I was thinking out loud.”
“I understand. I was in complete shock when I figured it out myself.”
Deb asked, “When did you know?”
“I thought I might be and wanted to tell Daniel the night he disappeared. He left before I could. When the sheriff told me he died, I fainted and the rest is history.”
“We’ll be here for you,” Deb promised.
“At least mom and dad are being good about this.”
Deb pulled up and parked in front of the new five ‘n dime. The store was flanked by a maternity shop on one side and a new clothing boutique on the other.
“I love the store changes in Oaklin,” Deb squealed.
Of the three, Deb was always the first with new fashions. Annamarie loved to dress nice, but sometimes the new fashions were too much for her taste. Bonnie always preferred jeans and sweaters. They were an odd mix, but three friends couldn’t be closer.
Deb said, “Let’s get the basic shopping over with first,” and they headed into the maternity shop.
Annamarie and Magdalena (Gypsy Spirits Book 2) Page 6