A Baby In The House. Pamela Bauer

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      Emily tugged on Krystal’s hand saying, “Auntie Krys, guess what? I get to go with Grandma.”

      Krystal stiffened as she looked to her sister for an explanation.

      “Relax. She means Joe’s mother,” Carly explained.

      “I get to eat supper at Grandma’s, then go get ice cream at church,” Emily boasted.

      “It’s an old-fashioned ice-cream social.” Carly then said to Emily, “Go get your backpack from the house. I think I see Grandma’s car coming.” As she skipped away she said to Krystal, “You didn’t tell me you were planning to tell Mom you’re pregnant today.”

      “I didn’t know. I just got in the car and came up here on the spur of the moment.” She shook her head. “Boy, was that a mistake.”

      Carly placed a hand on her arm, her eyes full of compassion. “Are you okay? You’re trembling.”

      “I know. I should probably eat something. I haven’t had anything since breakfast except for a milk shake,” she told her, not wanting to begin a discussion with Carly’s mother-in-law in the driveway.

      “I’ll make you something as soon as Joe’s mom leaves with Emily,” she said with a comforting pat on Krystal’s arm.

      Krystal nodded and tried to act as if nothing was wrong as the three women made small talk. It was a typical August afternoon with the humidity making it feel much warmer than the temperature indicated. By the time Emily and her grandmother finally left, perspiration tickled the back of Krystal’s neck and she felt light-headed.

      Carly noticed her paleness and looped an arm through Krystal’s. “Come. We’re going inside where it’s cool and I’ll get you something to eat.”

      Carly’s house was definitely cooler than her mother’s, but then it was nothing at all like the homes in the trailer park. It was two stories of brick with tall ceilings, lots of windows, and a design that was as elegant as any of the model homes she’d seen in the cities. It had everything she and Carly had dreamed about as children, including a swimming pool in the backyard.

      “Would you rather sit outside by the pool?” she asked when Krystal glanced through the patio door.

      “No, this feels good.” As she passed the family room she saw a piano. “Where did that come from?”

      “Joe’s parents bought it for Emily.” She nudged her toward the kitchen. “You sit while I make us some tea and get you something to eat. What sounds good?”

      “Nothing,” she answered honestly.

      Carly grinned. “I know that feeling. How about if I toast you an English muffin? I have some fresh raspberry jam.”

      Krystal shrugged. “That’s fine.” She took a seat at the breakfast counter on one of the tall stools and watched her sister move about a kitchen that looked like something out of a magazine.

      “So tell me what happened at Mom’s,” Carly ordered as she set two china cups on the counter.

      “What did she tell you?”

      “Not very much,” she answered, filling the teakettle.

      Krystal knew her sister was being diplomatic. “You don’t need to worry about my feelings, Carly. I know Mom’s upset. I’m sure she sees my being pregnant as just another one of the many things I’ve done to disappoint her.”

      “We both know she has high expectations of us,” she noted.

      “Yes, well her expectations were met when it came to you. You have a beautiful house, a great husband, and an adorable daughter.” She sighed, not out of envy but because she knew it was the truth. Carly had fulfilled their mother’s dream for her. She, on the other hand, hadn’t even come close.

      Carly frowned. “She didn’t drag my name into it, did she?”

      “No, she didn’t say anything at all. There was no time. I blurted out, I’m pregnant, she slapped me and gave me this wounded look, then I left.”

      Carly gasped. “She slapped you? She didn’t tell me that!”

      “It’s probably not something she wants to admit.” The memory was enough to make Krystal’s eyes misty. “If there was one thing Mom never did to us when we were growing up it was hit us.”

      “No, which means she must be really upset to strike you now,” Carly concluded.

      “She’s upset? What about me? How does she think I feel?” They were rhetorical questions she didn’t expect her sister to answer. “The one time in my life when I could really use her understanding, she treats me as if I’ve shamed her.”

      “You haven’t shamed anybody.”

      “Tell that to her.”

      “I already did. I’m on your side, Krys. You ought to know that. I always have been.” She reached for Krystal’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

      “Thanks, but I don’t want to put you in the middle between me and Mom.”

      “Isn’t that where I am anyway?”

      Krystal nodded soberly. They both knew that their mother had put them in that position by setting “married with children” as a standard by which she judged her daughters. Krystal knew it made Carly just as uncomfortable as it did her, but there was really nothing they could do about it.

      “Part of the problem is she takes everything so personally,” Carly continued. “As if every mistake we make is her fault.”

      “You mean every mistake I make,” Krystal corrected her. “Let’s face it. I’m the one who was always getting into trouble. And she hasn’t liked one single boyfriend I’ve brought home.” Her voice broke as she struggled not to cry.

      “I can sure tell you’re pregnant.” Carly handed her a tissue.

      Krystal blew her nose. “I thought I was emotional before I got pregnant. Now it’s ten times worse.”

      “Maybe it’s better if we don’t talk about Mom. Let’s talk about you.”

      “Then for sure I’ll be mopping up the tears,” she warned her.

      “Aw, come on. It can’t be that bad.” Carly came around to Krystal’s side of the counter and put her arm around her. “Where’s that ‘the glass is always half full’ sister of mine?”

      “She discovered her glass is almost empty,” she said miserably.

      “No, it isn’t,” Carly contradicted her. “You are going to be a mother, Krystal. That in itself is a miracle and a blessing.”

      “I know, but right now I’m having trouble seeing the blessing part,” she confessed.

      “Of course you are. It’s too early in your pregnancy for you to see this as anything but unexpected and scary. But you have a little СКАЧАТЬ