Page 63 of Cause When You Love Someone
It was quick, but I saw Dr. Stewart’s perfectly arched brows leap up her forehead before crashing down.
“Is everything okay?” I quizzed.
“Yeah. I just think you might have to rework your plan. You may have to put the dance recital on hold and start planning your baby shower.” She carried air into her nose. “You’re pregnant, Clarke.”
My neck jerked back. “Girl. That’s not funny.”
“Comedians don’t make enough money for me, honey.” She grinned as she stepped over to me. “I can run a blood test or complete a vaginal ultrasound, but the stick is positive.”
A burn flared behind my eyelids when I tried to hold my emotions in, but that didn’t last long. Silent tears rolled down my face when my head fell to the side, giving me a clear view of the mischievous smirk on my mom’s face. I had just started to accept the idea that I had to give Ishmael up, and now, I may be attached to him forever. I had my reasons for cutting him off, and I was afraid the news I’d just received wouldn’t be enough to stitch us back together.
“Every time I take one step forward, it feels like I get knocked two steps back,” I muttered.
My mom scoffed. “You didn’t get knocked down. You got knocked up. You love saying you’re grown. Now, you’re acting like you don’t know what happens when you have unprotected sex.”
Though she was right, I couldn’t appreciate her brash tone. I knew hopping on Ishmael’s dick would produce more than a body rocking orgasm. That didn’t mean I needed the truth thrown in my face.
While I had a silent panic attack, Dr. Stewart’s voice merged with the background when she asked Sage and my mom to leave. My mom argued her down, but the mention of security made her abandon her seat. The last thing she needed was a blog to get a tip that she was showing her ass in the nice part of town.
As the realization of the news sank into my consciousness, my skin flooded with goosebumps. Air rose up in my throat, but there was a knot blocking its path. I was lying down, yet the room spun, causing my head to fall into a dizzy spell.
“Clarke. Clarke, look at me. Breathe through whatever you’re feeling right now.”
The sensation of a hand wrapped around my ankle welcomed me back into reality.
“This can’t happen. Not right now.”
“Clarke, you have options. You don’t have to decide anything today. The only thing you need to accept is that you’re pregnant.”
“It’s not that I don’t want my baby,” I clarified. “I just want my man too.”
No matter how much advice Dr. Stewart offered, it was hard to see the beauty in my situation. Ishmael was sick of my shit. He didn’t want anything to do with me, and the thought of being pregnant by a man who didn’t want me made me as nauseated as morning sickness.
A knock at the door sent my focus to the opposite side of the room.
“That’s probably my mom. I know she’s having a fit out there. God. I hope she doesn’t tell anyone,” I rambled. “Can you tell me how far along I am? I mean, I know youcan. . . I’m ready.”
“Of course. Do you want to call your family back inside?”
“No. It’s just me. I want to be alone.”
Two weekslater
I strutted through the park with a few castmates behind me, security leading the way, and fans surrounding us. Since mydoctor’s visit, I hadn’t accepted any booking that wasn’t already on the calendar, but I couldn’t say no to the community event.
“The hood niggas are out and looking lovely!” Junie grabbed her knees and popped her ass. “Mrs. Rose, you don’t like a roughneck every now and then?”
“Hell no!” My mom sharpened the corner of her upper lip. “I hate being around hood rats, and this isn’t the type of place to find a man.”
I tugged on my mom’s arm, guiding her a few paces ahead of the pack.
“Mom, most of the people who sponsored the event are here. There’s nothing wrong with having a relationship with the community. Please don’t say anything crazy.”
“I don’t want to hear that. Just look out for guns. You’re carrying my next meal ticket.”
“You say things like that with so much pride,” I replied sarcastically.
“Not at all. You’re having a baby, and you don’t have a husband. There’s nothing to be proud of.”
