Identical

Part 5-When All Else Fails

   Mom was not impressed by this. She opened her white purse and pulled out some cash. The total came to $400. Al's eyes widened immediately, as did Tommy's. "It's not much, but I had to help you sweetie. Your father refused to give you any so I took out a loan from Aunt Fran. Please take it Emily." 

   All eyes were on me. $400 dollars! I just kept thinking of all the skinny clothes I could buy after the baby was born. "Take the damn money, girl!" Al shouted. Tommy was also nodding ferociously. "Fine." I say.

  Mom sprang up and hugged me. She was trying to angle around my belly before she just gave up and  squeezed me. At this moment I decided to forget everything she ever said (or didn't say) to me since I moved out. Now was the time that I needed her, and badly. I secretly thanked Sara in my head. Even though we haven't talked in a few weeks, I was eternally grateful that she convinced Mom to visit me.

   Tommy shook Mom's hand. "Thank you, Mrs. Garland." Come to think of it, this was the first time Mom and Tommy have ever met. I started to smile. "Mom, this is Tommy Marsalle, my boyfriend. We're having a baby together."  

   Mom frowned. "That's not funny, Emily."

Sara

    "Dad, will you just listen! Andrew's not like Tommy! He's kind, and smart, and doesn't smoke! Please, just give him a chance." I don't even know how he found out. It's not like Mom approves that much either.

   He was having none of this, instead deciding to ignore me by reading the paper. Geenie was playing by his feet.  I gave it another shot. "He's really into cars-just like you! And he used to go to St. Xavier, so you know he comes from a good family." Nothing.

   "Sara, stop bothering Daddy!" Geenie yelled. "Leave him alone." I rolled my eyes. There's no way a 7- year old it telling me what to do. "Can it, Genine!" I shouted back. This got his attention. "Both of you, knock it off. Sara, this is the last time I'm telling you-no boys! I'm only down to two daughters, and I'm not about to lose another one. You wanna get kicked out too?"

    Tears were starting to sting my eyes. "You didn't have to kick her out, Dad. Have you seen where she's living, or what Tommy's dad is like? I know you miss Emily, and taking it out on me and Andrew isn't helping!"

   Just then Mom walked in through the back door. She had told me earlier that week that she was going to Stilton Alley and meet with Emily. I wasn't sure how this was going to go, but once I saw her face she seemed happy. 

   "Mommy!" Geenie jumped up, running into her arms. "They're fighting again. Make it stop." She put Geenie down and walked up to me. Her demenor had completely changed since this morning: it was like a giant weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "Whatever it is, I don't want to discuss it right now. I'm too happy."

   Dad looked up. "Diane, your other daughter is trying to convince me that she's mature enough to date this Andrew kid. Do you agree?" 

   She grinned. "He's a nice boy, Jack. Quit being an ass and making something out of nothing." I burst out laughing. I have never seen Mom stand up to Dad like this. It was amazing. Even Geenie was laughing. 

   Dad frowned, throwing his paper down. "Geenie, go play outside." When she left he continued. "I'm trying to prevent our second oldest child from becoming part of the pregnancy brigade. You aren't gonna back me up?" Mom folded her arms. "Jack you have been AWOL for the last few months-you don't know what's been going on here. You don't have the right to tell me how to parent."

   "Diane, don't start. Work's been busy and you know my mother's health is failing. I got a lot on my plate right now and don't need another distraction." He lights a cigarette, blowing the smoke up to the ceiling. He sits back down. "Did you ever think in 15 years our little girls would get into shit like this?"

   Mom sits next to him and starts rubbing his back, something I haven't seen her do in years. I  stand by the fireplace awkwardly. "Jack, they aren't little anymore. One's about to be a mother, whether you like it or not. Why don't you go visit her sometime? She's almost due." He shakes his head. "Dammit, Diane! I don't want to hear about that! As far as I'm concerned, Emily left this family the day she told us she was pregnant. She made the decision to be a whore and now she's livin' with it."

   The words stung my ears long after I heard the door slam and the car start. This time I knew that he wasn't coming back; our family would never be the same again. Mom stood up, adjusting her skirt. Tears were in her eyes as well.  "That is not the man I married 17 years ago" she protested. "He's changed, and I don't know if I can fix him." I walked over and gave her a hug. "He'll come around" I lied. "He's always been stubborn, you know that."

Glossary

Shamu-famous killer whale at SeaWorld from '65-'71