Chapter nine
Hi! Here's the ninth part in the story. Another two more chapters and this one will be over. But I'm working on another story that deals mainly with Race and Vinnie, who you'll meet in the next chapter, in WW1. I'm almost done, only one or two more parts left in that one. And I want to finish All Quiet On The Western Front. Great book. If anyone hasn't read it, they should right now. It's soooooo good. But I have to go now, evil homework must be done.
Read and Review!
That night I made my way to Jack's, and found Sarah and Victoria seated at the kitchen table, smiling gently at each other. Sarah was getting far along too, and I heard them discussing names. I cleared my throat and Victoria threw her arms around me, grinning.
"Oh Race," she whispered. "You'll never believe it." I frowned.
"Whut?" she reached into the jacket, my jacket, still wrapped around her shoulders and pulled out the small brown paper bag her ring had come in. She pulled out something small and wrapped and handed it to me. I unwrapped it and to my surprise, out tumbled my gold watch! I popped open the lid and saw a small folded piece of paper.
Unfolding it, I saw lacy writing. I frowned, trying to make sense of it, but failed. Vicky laughed and took it from me.
"It is a rare young man who would give up such a valuable item for the one he loves. Consider it a wedding gift." She smiled. And now, so did I, the woman at the shop. I shook my head. Could this day get any better? I threw my arms around Victoria and proceeded to tell her about my new job. Sarah listened, with a huge smile on her face before offering me dinner. I refused to pass up such a great offer and we were all seated around the table, when Jack came home, lugging the giant camera behind him. Victoria and didn't notice him at first.
She was seated on my lap and had pressed my hand against her still small belly. I was trying to imagine a baby in there, my baby. With my eyes and her hair, her sense of justice and my gambling ability. Our child.
Our thoughts were interrupted by a sudden flash, and a loud laugh. Jack peered out from behind the camera, laughing at our shock. I growled and shook my fist at him, before we spit shook.
"And how's our new couple taday?" he asked. We grinned, and I told him about my new job. He laughed.
"I'm suposedta photograph dat day! Yer boss musta called mine and told him." we laughed harder. Jack sat down to dinner and everything seemed so perfect. During the course of the dinner, Jack brought up an interesting topic to Sarah.
"Hey, dahlin' guess whut?"
"What?" she asked.
"Dat apartment above us? It's empty. Dey left yestaday." She frowned.
"I was wondering why I hadn't heard any fights." He laughed.
"And it's up fer rent. Only toity cents, with a dollar deposit." I glanced at him and he had his eyebrow raised, exactly the way he would if he was trying to make a point. I said nothing, eating my food, but the wheels in my mind began to turn.
That night, I was decided that Victoria would stay at Jacks and Sarah's until we got a place. I made my way back to the lodging house and entertained myself in a small game of poker, before deciding that tomorrow, would be my last day as a newsie.
I told Blink and Mush that night and they seemed hard pressed not to cry. I knew Mush's days were numbered. He had a girl on the side and had asked me about jobs at the stables several times. I gave him the name of Jake, knowing he'd give him a job. Blink wasn't too far behind us, the manager at Tibby's had taken a liking to him and offered him a job there. Blink had decided to take it.
That night, as we had with Jack, Specs, Snaps, and Skittery, we stayed up late, joking, and playing games. Kloppman did not say a word, but let us do as we wished.
The next morning, I grinned at Weasel as I bought two hundred papes, and paid for every one. Morris Delancy looked horrified are having to count out two hundred papes, but I only grinned and lit a cigar.
That day, I carried my papes and stood at the entrance to the races, hawkin' the headlines as loud as I could. Many men looked surprised to see me and told me so. But I sold my papes as I never had before. I put my heart and soul into every word that day. It was my last as a newsie.
That night, I made my way into Jack and Sarah's building, but I did not go to their place. I went to the manager's office. He was a big Irish man, who seemed gruff, but smiled when I said I needed a place for my young pregnant wife and I to live.
He showed me the apartment, two rooms. A bigger multipurpose room that houses a small kitchen, stove and sink, and a table. A smaller bedroom was off to the side. I was relieved to see that it already housed a small bed. More than enough room for two young people. I paid the deposit and smiled as I closed to door to my own apartment.
The next morning, I was awakened by Blink jumping on me, telling me that if I didn't hurry, I'd be late for my own wedding. I was out of bed in a flash and in the showers.
We had decided a quiet wedding at City Hall was best. Though, if you have thirty newsies cramped into a small space, it is hardly quiet. Even Spot came up from Brooklyn as he had for Jack.
I was nervous, more nervous than I had ever been in my whole life, even that time I'd bet with Big Johnny Paparlli. I paced the alter before Jack had to hold me in place.
"Yer takin' da biggest gamble eva Race, youse gots a right ta be neoivus." But the instant Victoria walked down the isle, clothed in a barrowed white dress, everything seemed to still. I took her hand and we said our I dos. I have never been happier than the moment the judge asked, " Do you take this man, to be your lawfully wedded husband, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live," and she said yes.
That night was full of celebrating. Medda opened her hall to us and we spent a glorious evening, singing, dancing, and having a grand old time. But soon, it was time for the bride and groom to retire and I took Victoria home.
When I pushed open the door and showed her the apartment, she paused. She was looking around it and I wondered if she regretted any of it. I twirled a curl of her hair in my fingers.
"Ya ain't regrettin' nuttin?" she turned to me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Never. I'm just thinking about a time when I was eight years old." I led her inside and we sat at the small table. "I was with my best friend at the time, and we planned out our whole lives. I was just thinking about how only one of my dreams came true. But it was the one I wanted the most."
"Which one is dat?" I asked her. She smiled at me.
"To marry the man I love." With that I kissed her passionately and she kissed back.
"I'm glad 'a dat, Mrs. Higgins." I whispered, just to hear the name. She giggled.
" I like the sound of that. Mrs. Higgins." And then she pulled me closer. My heart felt as if it were about to burst, for all the love I had for my dainty little wife. I pulled her close to in my arms and let the joy surround me, forgetting everything.
The next week passed quickly, more quickly than I could have imagined. I was out the door every morning before sunrise and in the stables by the time the sun breeched the rooftops.
I felt bad leaving Vicky, but what could I do? It was impossible to take her anywhere for a honeymoon. I had not the money, nor the time. I feel she understood this, but she still hurt. I did my best, taking her out on the small allowances my pay could afford, and sometimes making dinner, after we found out that first night, that she was hopeless at cooking and cleaning. I had to wear the same vest for almost a week before she washed my second one. She had several skirts, blouses and other items of clothes, while all I had at the time, was one pair of trousers, and suspenders, two shirts, one for nice occasions, and two vests which I wore alternatively. That was my entire wardrobe at the time and had been for some time now.
But back to the races. The morning of the races dawned gray and misty. I climbed out of bed, and roused Vicky who mumbled and rolled over before gazing at me.
"Today's the big day?" I nodded. Then she kissed me and shooed me off. "Then be off, I'll meet you there and cheer you on." I smiled.
"Love ya, doll.' She giggled.
"I love you too, Race. Now get going."
That morning, I must have brushed La Tempesta five or six times before I was satisfied. Still I felt nervous and paced the stall. Jake saw me and laughed. He took me aside and gave me a few words of wisdom.
"Just relax, Race. Dancer will do fine if you let him do what comes naturally. Don't push him. You know that." I nodded and then suddenly, it was time.
I slowly made my way into the track, leading La Tempesta, who seemed just as nervous as I. " It's alright, ' I whispered, " I ain't lettin' nobody but me ride ya. It's just like in the barn." He shook his head and gave a loud neigh. I grinned and petted him, handing him a carrot.
"And dere'll be anouda afta." I told him. "And a suga cube if ya win." This time, he tossed his head and I laughed.
I slipped onto him, just in time to hear my name. The announcer was calling the names of the jockeys and he had just called mine. A dull roar came from the section of the stands to the right and I grinned as I saw all the newsies, Jack, Sarah, Vicky, and even Spot cheering me on. I gave them a wave, just as they started to countdown.
"Dis is it boy." I whispered and held on tight. The tension was thick, I could sense the others glaring at me, just as the gun blew. Then they were off!
But La Tempesta had been startled by the loud shot and he reared into the air. I almost fell off then, but hung on.
"Whoa boy!" I shouted, calming him and kicking him in the rear. Then he took off. Things were a blur as we whizzed down the track, passing startled jockeys right and left. I could only hang on tight and let him do the rest. He was prefect, saving his speed for the last and final lap, before bursting into a sudden blast of speed that sends us flying over the finish line.
I could hardly get him to stop, before I could climb off. My heart was pumping and my breathe ragging, the ride had been the most exhilarating of my life and I felt dazed, and crazy, with a new sense of power and the feeling that I could now do anything.
The instant I was off the horse, I was swamped by journalists, bookies the judges, McKenna, Jake, and all my friends. But it paid them little attention as Vicky pushed her way through to me and leaped into my arms. I kissed her hard; right there in front of everyone and amid cheers and whoops, I managed to answer a few questions.
Vicky had the article framed, so did Jack. He took the picture of Vicky and me, grinning and waving at the crowd, my faithful steed behind us. It's still hanging on the wall, near our wedding picture, Jack took that one too, and the one of us seated in his apartment that day so long ago. Vinnie loves that one, because he claims it's the first one of him. He's right in a way.
The next few months seemed like a wonderful dream, but for a few instances. It must have been hard for Vicky to go from having several servants at her beck and call to having to do her own laundry and that of her husband as well, to making her own dinner and having it out for me when I came home, tired and exhausted but with three dollars a day in my pockets.
That was a lot then, still is. But I worked hard for it and I earned every penny. That plus whatever small bets I placed when I wasn't running, pulling twenty- bucks a week! For me, I was rich! Richer than I'd ever been.
Now, don't' get me wrong. Our marriage was not prefect. She had a stubborn temper too and would be furious if I came home late or skipped a meal without telling her. We had our share of fights, which sometimes resulted in me storming out the door and spending the night on Jack's sofa.
As her delivery date drew nearer, Vicky became more and more crabby. But Jack told me Sarah had been the same way before delivering their first baby who had been born in the late summer, Anthony David Kelly, who Mush had already dubbed Snickers, from the way he laughed. Sarah wasn't too happy, but Jack was overjoyed and would bounce the baby Snickers up and down on his knee, trying to get him to laugh.
Jack was making good money, better than me, enough to move out of that apartment house, but he didn't.
"Where would I go?" he asked me. "Me family's 'era."
But no matter how much Vicky and I fought, we would be back in each other's arms the next night. She seemed so happy the choice she had made, and I did my best to help her, sometimes bringing her little surprises.
But we had some close calls when it came to her parents. I remember one day, we were walking in the park. She was in her seventh month and had a terrible craving for Central Park hot dogs. It was a warm day so we set out, walking close, arms linked and whispering to each other, noticing no one but each other, when suddenly, a cry broke through to our private little world.
"Victoria!" she spun around and was attacked by a small blur of energy. I laughed when her little brother poked his head out from the folds of her skirts.
"Victoria, where have you been? Mother and father won't tell me and I thought you were dead." She shook her head.
"No, dear, not at all. I'm married, Tommy. This is my husband. You remember Racetrack?" I grinned.
"Hey kid." He laughed and darted off. We frowned after him, but Vicky's face soon wore a look of horror as Tommy dragged his parents down the path only to face us. I took her arm and we began to back away slowly. No one said a word, until her father cleared his throat.
"Hello, Victoria." She nodded.
"Father." He did not acknowledge me and I was grateful for it. But her mother glared at me and my state of dress. I was wearing my suspenders pulled off, and my shirtsleeve rolled up to my elbows, it was a warm day, and my top two shirt buttons undone. Vicky wore her hair down and was in a simple skirt and blouse that stretched out to reveal her condition. Her mother gazed at her as if she were something under her shoe. I winced, being used to that look, but knowing she was not.
"And how are you?" her father asked.
"Very well, father. We are very happy." She placed a protective hand over her belly and I slid my arms around her waist. The silence was thick and I hated it.
"Come on, doll." I said softly, "Let's grab a bite. Jack's expectin' us lata." And I steered her away. But before we had taken five steps, a sharp voice stopped us. Her mother hurried to us and dragged her away form me, leading her to the side path and speaking in a low hurried voice. I did not like the look of it as Vicky's eyes widened then narrowed. Then she began speaking in the same low voice, running her hand over her swollen belly. Then she turned to walk back when her mother caught her arm. As Vicky pulled closer, I heard what was being said.
"This is your last chance, Victoria. If you walk away today, that door will be closed forever. Then what will you do when he pours all your hard earned money away in drink, or when he beats you, when he leaves you with four children to care for. Then what will you do?" Vicky glared at her, then glanced at me and realized I'd heard. She marched up to me and slipped her arm under my shoulders and I pulled her close.
"That will never happen. Race does not drink, he does not hit me, and he will never leave me. Right?" She looked at me, begging me to reinforce her opinion. I nodded forcefully.
"Vicky's me wife. I love her." Her mother glared at me as if I were speaking out of turn.
"I've seen this, Victoria. He'll leave you flat, trust me." I took Vicky's hand and led her away forcefully. Neither of us looked back until we'd rounded the corner and put it behind us. I bought her a hotdog and by the time we headed for home, the incident was forgotten.
Hi! Here's the ninth part in the story. Another two more chapters and this one will be over. But I'm working on another story that deals mainly with Race and Vinnie, who you'll meet in the next chapter, in WW1. I'm almost done, only one or two more parts left in that one. And I want to finish All Quiet On The Western Front. Great book. If anyone hasn't read it, they should right now. It's soooooo good. But I have to go now, evil homework must be done.
Read and Review!
That night I made my way to Jack's, and found Sarah and Victoria seated at the kitchen table, smiling gently at each other. Sarah was getting far along too, and I heard them discussing names. I cleared my throat and Victoria threw her arms around me, grinning.
"Oh Race," she whispered. "You'll never believe it." I frowned.
"Whut?" she reached into the jacket, my jacket, still wrapped around her shoulders and pulled out the small brown paper bag her ring had come in. She pulled out something small and wrapped and handed it to me. I unwrapped it and to my surprise, out tumbled my gold watch! I popped open the lid and saw a small folded piece of paper.
Unfolding it, I saw lacy writing. I frowned, trying to make sense of it, but failed. Vicky laughed and took it from me.
"It is a rare young man who would give up such a valuable item for the one he loves. Consider it a wedding gift." She smiled. And now, so did I, the woman at the shop. I shook my head. Could this day get any better? I threw my arms around Victoria and proceeded to tell her about my new job. Sarah listened, with a huge smile on her face before offering me dinner. I refused to pass up such a great offer and we were all seated around the table, when Jack came home, lugging the giant camera behind him. Victoria and didn't notice him at first.
She was seated on my lap and had pressed my hand against her still small belly. I was trying to imagine a baby in there, my baby. With my eyes and her hair, her sense of justice and my gambling ability. Our child.
Our thoughts were interrupted by a sudden flash, and a loud laugh. Jack peered out from behind the camera, laughing at our shock. I growled and shook my fist at him, before we spit shook.
"And how's our new couple taday?" he asked. We grinned, and I told him about my new job. He laughed.
"I'm suposedta photograph dat day! Yer boss musta called mine and told him." we laughed harder. Jack sat down to dinner and everything seemed so perfect. During the course of the dinner, Jack brought up an interesting topic to Sarah.
"Hey, dahlin' guess whut?"
"What?" she asked.
"Dat apartment above us? It's empty. Dey left yestaday." She frowned.
"I was wondering why I hadn't heard any fights." He laughed.
"And it's up fer rent. Only toity cents, with a dollar deposit." I glanced at him and he had his eyebrow raised, exactly the way he would if he was trying to make a point. I said nothing, eating my food, but the wheels in my mind began to turn.
That night, I was decided that Victoria would stay at Jacks and Sarah's until we got a place. I made my way back to the lodging house and entertained myself in a small game of poker, before deciding that tomorrow, would be my last day as a newsie.
I told Blink and Mush that night and they seemed hard pressed not to cry. I knew Mush's days were numbered. He had a girl on the side and had asked me about jobs at the stables several times. I gave him the name of Jake, knowing he'd give him a job. Blink wasn't too far behind us, the manager at Tibby's had taken a liking to him and offered him a job there. Blink had decided to take it.
That night, as we had with Jack, Specs, Snaps, and Skittery, we stayed up late, joking, and playing games. Kloppman did not say a word, but let us do as we wished.
The next morning, I grinned at Weasel as I bought two hundred papes, and paid for every one. Morris Delancy looked horrified are having to count out two hundred papes, but I only grinned and lit a cigar.
That day, I carried my papes and stood at the entrance to the races, hawkin' the headlines as loud as I could. Many men looked surprised to see me and told me so. But I sold my papes as I never had before. I put my heart and soul into every word that day. It was my last as a newsie.
That night, I made my way into Jack and Sarah's building, but I did not go to their place. I went to the manager's office. He was a big Irish man, who seemed gruff, but smiled when I said I needed a place for my young pregnant wife and I to live.
He showed me the apartment, two rooms. A bigger multipurpose room that houses a small kitchen, stove and sink, and a table. A smaller bedroom was off to the side. I was relieved to see that it already housed a small bed. More than enough room for two young people. I paid the deposit and smiled as I closed to door to my own apartment.
The next morning, I was awakened by Blink jumping on me, telling me that if I didn't hurry, I'd be late for my own wedding. I was out of bed in a flash and in the showers.
We had decided a quiet wedding at City Hall was best. Though, if you have thirty newsies cramped into a small space, it is hardly quiet. Even Spot came up from Brooklyn as he had for Jack.
I was nervous, more nervous than I had ever been in my whole life, even that time I'd bet with Big Johnny Paparlli. I paced the alter before Jack had to hold me in place.
"Yer takin' da biggest gamble eva Race, youse gots a right ta be neoivus." But the instant Victoria walked down the isle, clothed in a barrowed white dress, everything seemed to still. I took her hand and we said our I dos. I have never been happier than the moment the judge asked, " Do you take this man, to be your lawfully wedded husband, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live," and she said yes.
That night was full of celebrating. Medda opened her hall to us and we spent a glorious evening, singing, dancing, and having a grand old time. But soon, it was time for the bride and groom to retire and I took Victoria home.
When I pushed open the door and showed her the apartment, she paused. She was looking around it and I wondered if she regretted any of it. I twirled a curl of her hair in my fingers.
"Ya ain't regrettin' nuttin?" she turned to me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Never. I'm just thinking about a time when I was eight years old." I led her inside and we sat at the small table. "I was with my best friend at the time, and we planned out our whole lives. I was just thinking about how only one of my dreams came true. But it was the one I wanted the most."
"Which one is dat?" I asked her. She smiled at me.
"To marry the man I love." With that I kissed her passionately and she kissed back.
"I'm glad 'a dat, Mrs. Higgins." I whispered, just to hear the name. She giggled.
" I like the sound of that. Mrs. Higgins." And then she pulled me closer. My heart felt as if it were about to burst, for all the love I had for my dainty little wife. I pulled her close to in my arms and let the joy surround me, forgetting everything.
The next week passed quickly, more quickly than I could have imagined. I was out the door every morning before sunrise and in the stables by the time the sun breeched the rooftops.
I felt bad leaving Vicky, but what could I do? It was impossible to take her anywhere for a honeymoon. I had not the money, nor the time. I feel she understood this, but she still hurt. I did my best, taking her out on the small allowances my pay could afford, and sometimes making dinner, after we found out that first night, that she was hopeless at cooking and cleaning. I had to wear the same vest for almost a week before she washed my second one. She had several skirts, blouses and other items of clothes, while all I had at the time, was one pair of trousers, and suspenders, two shirts, one for nice occasions, and two vests which I wore alternatively. That was my entire wardrobe at the time and had been for some time now.
But back to the races. The morning of the races dawned gray and misty. I climbed out of bed, and roused Vicky who mumbled and rolled over before gazing at me.
"Today's the big day?" I nodded. Then she kissed me and shooed me off. "Then be off, I'll meet you there and cheer you on." I smiled.
"Love ya, doll.' She giggled.
"I love you too, Race. Now get going."
That morning, I must have brushed La Tempesta five or six times before I was satisfied. Still I felt nervous and paced the stall. Jake saw me and laughed. He took me aside and gave me a few words of wisdom.
"Just relax, Race. Dancer will do fine if you let him do what comes naturally. Don't push him. You know that." I nodded and then suddenly, it was time.
I slowly made my way into the track, leading La Tempesta, who seemed just as nervous as I. " It's alright, ' I whispered, " I ain't lettin' nobody but me ride ya. It's just like in the barn." He shook his head and gave a loud neigh. I grinned and petted him, handing him a carrot.
"And dere'll be anouda afta." I told him. "And a suga cube if ya win." This time, he tossed his head and I laughed.
I slipped onto him, just in time to hear my name. The announcer was calling the names of the jockeys and he had just called mine. A dull roar came from the section of the stands to the right and I grinned as I saw all the newsies, Jack, Sarah, Vicky, and even Spot cheering me on. I gave them a wave, just as they started to countdown.
"Dis is it boy." I whispered and held on tight. The tension was thick, I could sense the others glaring at me, just as the gun blew. Then they were off!
But La Tempesta had been startled by the loud shot and he reared into the air. I almost fell off then, but hung on.
"Whoa boy!" I shouted, calming him and kicking him in the rear. Then he took off. Things were a blur as we whizzed down the track, passing startled jockeys right and left. I could only hang on tight and let him do the rest. He was prefect, saving his speed for the last and final lap, before bursting into a sudden blast of speed that sends us flying over the finish line.
I could hardly get him to stop, before I could climb off. My heart was pumping and my breathe ragging, the ride had been the most exhilarating of my life and I felt dazed, and crazy, with a new sense of power and the feeling that I could now do anything.
The instant I was off the horse, I was swamped by journalists, bookies the judges, McKenna, Jake, and all my friends. But it paid them little attention as Vicky pushed her way through to me and leaped into my arms. I kissed her hard; right there in front of everyone and amid cheers and whoops, I managed to answer a few questions.
Vicky had the article framed, so did Jack. He took the picture of Vicky and me, grinning and waving at the crowd, my faithful steed behind us. It's still hanging on the wall, near our wedding picture, Jack took that one too, and the one of us seated in his apartment that day so long ago. Vinnie loves that one, because he claims it's the first one of him. He's right in a way.
The next few months seemed like a wonderful dream, but for a few instances. It must have been hard for Vicky to go from having several servants at her beck and call to having to do her own laundry and that of her husband as well, to making her own dinner and having it out for me when I came home, tired and exhausted but with three dollars a day in my pockets.
That was a lot then, still is. But I worked hard for it and I earned every penny. That plus whatever small bets I placed when I wasn't running, pulling twenty- bucks a week! For me, I was rich! Richer than I'd ever been.
Now, don't' get me wrong. Our marriage was not prefect. She had a stubborn temper too and would be furious if I came home late or skipped a meal without telling her. We had our share of fights, which sometimes resulted in me storming out the door and spending the night on Jack's sofa.
As her delivery date drew nearer, Vicky became more and more crabby. But Jack told me Sarah had been the same way before delivering their first baby who had been born in the late summer, Anthony David Kelly, who Mush had already dubbed Snickers, from the way he laughed. Sarah wasn't too happy, but Jack was overjoyed and would bounce the baby Snickers up and down on his knee, trying to get him to laugh.
Jack was making good money, better than me, enough to move out of that apartment house, but he didn't.
"Where would I go?" he asked me. "Me family's 'era."
But no matter how much Vicky and I fought, we would be back in each other's arms the next night. She seemed so happy the choice she had made, and I did my best to help her, sometimes bringing her little surprises.
But we had some close calls when it came to her parents. I remember one day, we were walking in the park. She was in her seventh month and had a terrible craving for Central Park hot dogs. It was a warm day so we set out, walking close, arms linked and whispering to each other, noticing no one but each other, when suddenly, a cry broke through to our private little world.
"Victoria!" she spun around and was attacked by a small blur of energy. I laughed when her little brother poked his head out from the folds of her skirts.
"Victoria, where have you been? Mother and father won't tell me and I thought you were dead." She shook her head.
"No, dear, not at all. I'm married, Tommy. This is my husband. You remember Racetrack?" I grinned.
"Hey kid." He laughed and darted off. We frowned after him, but Vicky's face soon wore a look of horror as Tommy dragged his parents down the path only to face us. I took her arm and we began to back away slowly. No one said a word, until her father cleared his throat.
"Hello, Victoria." She nodded.
"Father." He did not acknowledge me and I was grateful for it. But her mother glared at me and my state of dress. I was wearing my suspenders pulled off, and my shirtsleeve rolled up to my elbows, it was a warm day, and my top two shirt buttons undone. Vicky wore her hair down and was in a simple skirt and blouse that stretched out to reveal her condition. Her mother gazed at her as if she were something under her shoe. I winced, being used to that look, but knowing she was not.
"And how are you?" her father asked.
"Very well, father. We are very happy." She placed a protective hand over her belly and I slid my arms around her waist. The silence was thick and I hated it.
"Come on, doll." I said softly, "Let's grab a bite. Jack's expectin' us lata." And I steered her away. But before we had taken five steps, a sharp voice stopped us. Her mother hurried to us and dragged her away form me, leading her to the side path and speaking in a low hurried voice. I did not like the look of it as Vicky's eyes widened then narrowed. Then she began speaking in the same low voice, running her hand over her swollen belly. Then she turned to walk back when her mother caught her arm. As Vicky pulled closer, I heard what was being said.
"This is your last chance, Victoria. If you walk away today, that door will be closed forever. Then what will you do when he pours all your hard earned money away in drink, or when he beats you, when he leaves you with four children to care for. Then what will you do?" Vicky glared at her, then glanced at me and realized I'd heard. She marched up to me and slipped her arm under my shoulders and I pulled her close.
"That will never happen. Race does not drink, he does not hit me, and he will never leave me. Right?" She looked at me, begging me to reinforce her opinion. I nodded forcefully.
"Vicky's me wife. I love her." Her mother glared at me as if I were speaking out of turn.
"I've seen this, Victoria. He'll leave you flat, trust me." I took Vicky's hand and led her away forcefully. Neither of us looked back until we'd rounded the corner and put it behind us. I bought her a hotdog and by the time we headed for home, the incident was forgotten.
