Cross Roads

&

Building Blocks

Chapter 11

Once I got Garner home, she settled easily into the house. She follows me everywhere downstairs and seems contented in the small backyard when she's out. Elsie and Bessie have made friends with her. She's a little shy around strangers at times and jumps at loud noises sometimes, but considering what the poor girl may have been though, I'd be jittery, too. I have a big soft floor pillow she lays on beside the over-sized chair I relax in chewing on her bones. The first few nights she didn't attempt to walk up the steps, but by the third night with her leg healing, she was sound asleep on the pillow beside the bed.

I told my co-workers about her and Clark didn't mind me having her in the house. Everyone wanted to meet her, so the day I had to take her back to Reading Animal Hospital for a bandage change, I brought her with me to work. She was intimidated by everyone coming to see her at first, but she warmed up and really loved all the pats. Even one of the drivers brought Garner biscuits. She lies beside my desk as I work. With every noise, her head is up and cocked slightly. I swear she even raises one eyebrow as she watches the door. If Ranger knew I named Garner after him by scrambling the letters of his name, I could imagine how high that Cuban eyebrow would be on his handsome face. Now, she comes to work with me everyday.

I'm starting to show. I can't believe I'm in my fifth month. When I go to see Dr. Parish next week, I should find out the sex of the baby and can start to decorate the nursery. Daddy painted it a light aqua for me. I bought a beautiful cherry wood crib, changing table, and chest along with a wrought iron day bed for the nursery across the hall at my favorite furniture store. I also purchased a simple oak desk and matching futon for the mystery room downstairs. In the corner is the treadmill I use if Garner and I don't go for a walk in the evening.

My mind was lost in thoughts of Ranger. Mary Lou ran into Lula at the mall and reported back to me, he was still away to parts unknown. I wonder what he would think of my rounding belly.

Voices in the hallway brought me back to reality. I recognized my mother's voice. "Frank, I don't want to meet the woman you are having an affair with! This is sick!"

"I've told you, Helen, I'm not having an affair!"

Daddy had Mom by the elbow and gave her a small push into my office.

"I'm sorry, Pumpkin, but your mother has been unbearable. I'm considering divorce."

"Stephanie! Do you know about your father?"

Garner was up beside me and padded over to my father, then stood there looking at my mother.

Shaking my head, "Daddy loves you, Mom. He's not seeing anyone else," I got up and showed my expanding body. "He's been helping me."

"You're pregnant!"

"Yes. Ranger is the baby's father, but he doesn't want anymore children, so I left."

"Joe," my mother started.

"Morelli nothing, Helen! He's a slime bucket sleeping with anything female. Our daughter was wise to dump his ass! Stephanie is raising her child."

"What does Ranger say?"

I was looking at her, "He doesn't know and I want to keep it that way. I have a good job to support us and a nice home to raise my child."

Daddy had his hand on Mom's shoulder and turned her to look at him speaking in a calm but intense voice, "This does not leave this room. If Stephanie wants to tell Ranger someday that is her business. If you speak of this to anyone besides us, your crazy mother, or Mary Lou and it gets back to Ranger because of you, this is not a threat, Helen, I will divorce you. No apologies, no nothing, but a simple and quick divorce. You have tried to push Stephanie to be something she isn't, harped on her about her bounty hunting, Joe, and even Ranger. No more. I've drawn the line! If you can't respect your daughter and her choices, I'll come home, pack, and head back here. Any future communication can be through our attorneys."

My father's blue eyes staring at my mother were cold and dark like steel. I was shocked; he's never talked to my mother like that. He pulled a card out of his pocket laying it on the corner of my desk. 'Snyder, White, and Calder. Divorce Attorneys'.

From my office doorway, "It's about time someone put my daughter in her place and I'll move with you," Grandma's tight curls shook with her nodding head.

My mother was white and sat down in the chair in front of my desk. I don't think her legs could support her. I went into the hall coming back with a cup of water.

My mother was balling, "Frank, I don't want a divorce! Please!"

I was waiting to hear, "What will the 'Burg' think?" but Mom never uttered the words.

"If Stephanie doesn't want anyone to know, I promise I'll never say a word. Please, don't divorce me! You're my husband. I love you!"

I was crying. Daddy hadn't said another word, but just stood there watching my almost hysterical mother.

He picked up the card and opened up his wallet, "I mean it, Helen. No more pushing and not a word. Not even to Valerie. She can't keep her mouth shut! You can call, I spoke with Tom Snyder at the lawyers' office."

"Yes, Frank," wiping her eyes with the Kleenex I offered her. Her voice shaky, "Stephanie, when are you due?"

"The end of February, Mom."

She noticed my Polo shirt with a sun, moon, and 'E-N-J-O-Y' written under it. "This is where those soft t-shirts come from, isn't it?"

Nodding at my now calmer mother who was petting Garner, "The Good Mother Earth makes all natural clothing and textiles."

"Here," Grandma handed me a folded sheet of paper with a check, "Carol's Boutique can't keep this stuff on the racks. Can I have your discount card?"

Carol's Boutique was next to the Cut n' Curl. Her mother, Rose, owned the building and beauty shop. They had ordered stuff through Grandma thinking a friend's niece worked here and I arranged delivery keeping me out of the loop somewhat.

"Here, Grandma."

"Where are you going, Mother?"

"Stephanie's company store. Want to check out the stock?"

"Yes, I'd like that," Mom said quietly looking at my father. "I won't say where I bought anything, Frank."

"Good, we understand each other. Think you can call it a day a little early, Pumpkin, and we can get some Chinese take-out?"

"OK, Daddy."

Once Grandma and my mother disappeared through the factory taking the shortcut to the store, "I'm sorry, Daddy, I caused problems for you."

He was hugging me, "I support you, Stephanie. You mother has been pushy most of your life. I should have stopped it along time ago. That was my fault. No more! I want you and my grandchild to be happy. She's not going to keep me away."

I couldn't believe it when mother and daughter came back with bags and laughing with each other.

"I showed your mother the reject bin," Grandma held up a shopping bag.

"Let's go home," I turned off my computer, grabbed a file to drop in Clark's bin, grabbed my purse and keys, and then turned off the lights. Daddy clipped Garner's leash on her and handed it to me. It was almost like a normal family. Maybe, some good things were happening on my cross road.