Page 127 of The Genius
I placed my hand on my collarbone. “Maybe I will. It’s just that I never imagined having children.”
My mom seemed calmer now. “Oh, don’t worry, honey, you’re going to be an amazing mother. I’ll be here to give you all the advice you’ll need. Just promise you won’t give up on your work. It’s important.”
My plan had succeeded. My mother had been so distracted by talking me out of giving up work, that she hadn’t had time to freak out about the pregnancy.
“I’m going to need a lot of advice.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” My mother gave me a stiff smile. “Maybe you could convince Mando to come and live here in the Motherlands.”
“Marco.”
“Yes. Marco. You should bring him.”
“I don’t think he’d like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because he would miss the Northlands too much. All his friends live here and it’s where his work is.”
“Tell him that I will be happy to assist in getting him resident status here if he’s willing to move.”
“Mom, you’re the best. I love you so much and I promise to try and convince him.”
“I love you too, honey.” She sighed. “I’ll need a strong cup of tea after this. You truly scared me with your talk about giving up work. Good thing Rochelle called me and had me talk some sense into you.”
“Yes, I’m happy we talked.”
It was almost too good to be true, the way she had accepted the baby and Marco. “Are you okay now? It must be a shock to you that I am pregnant and in love with an Nman.”
Sheana played with her necklace. “After you told me that you had sex with an Nman I was preparing myself that something like this might happen.”
“So, you’re not surprised?”
“Charlie told me that you were renting a room with a single man who is now your protector, so no, I’m not that surprised. Of course, I was hoping it was just a phase and that you would soon be home again.”
After ending the call with my mother, I found Rochelle close to the school. She was on her knees in the vegetable garden, digging up potatoes for dinner.
“How did it go?” she asked in an eager tone.
“Mom took it a lot better than I thought she would.”
Rochelle dried her forehead and got a bit of dirt across her eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yes, the plan worked. Thank you for helping me set it up.”
“I hate that we lied to her.”
“Why? Instead of being devastated, Mom is now relieved that she made a difference and talked me out of giving up my career. I gave her a victory.”
“It was an illusion. A manipulation of the truth at best. You never intended to give up working.”
“I don’t see the problem.”
“That’s because you areyou, Shelly.”
“Who else would I be?”
“No, I mean, you’re insensitive that way.”
