Chapter Three
"He promised," Mary whispered as tears poured from her eyes, "he promised but he did it anyways."
Quickly Mary slammed the album shut and ran for the bathroom, as tears fell from her cheeks. As Mary sat hunched over the toilet, she imagined James rubbing her back, whispering about how everything would be okay, but James was not there, he was never going to be there. Never.
With this thought Mary stood up quickly washing her face and hands. She knew that if she wanted her child to have a normal life she was going to have to forget James. No, not forget him, but let him go.
**
"Hello?" Lucy asked as she picked up the phone.
"So what's it like to have a baby?" Mary asked shakily.
"Mary, Oh my God! Are you?"
"Yes." Mary whispered, her tone emotionless.
Not knowing what to say Lucy answered Mary's question, "it's.um, it's great. But it hurts."
"Will you be there when I.when I have to do it?"
"Yes, yes of course I will."
"Thanks Luce," Mary replied quickly hanging up the phone.
Lucy stared at the phone as she listened to the dial tone. She was a minister, like Eric, she was supposed to be able to help everyone, but she was at a total loss when it came to helping Mary.
The next day the entire Camden and Owens' family stood around James' headstone. As his coffin was lowered into the ground Mary's face remained flat, though everyone around her was teary-eyed she couldn't bring herself to cry, tears didn't even begin to describe how she was feeling at that moment.
**
Buried James the fourth of May
**
After the funeral everyone gathered at Mary and James' house. As the hours passed the pity was starting to drive Mary crazy, finally she stood up.
"I.um.I have an announcement to make."
Everyone turned to look at her, as she continued, "I'm pregnant."
For a moment everyone stared at her, then all of the sudden she was bombarded with questions.
"Did James know?"
"When are you due?"
"How far along are you?"
"Are you going to keep it?"
"Have you seen a doctor yet?"
"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"
Before any more questions could be asked, Mary held up her arms and quickly attempted to answer the questions, "I'm only like 2 months along, and I haven't been to the doctor yet, so I don't know my due date or if it's a boy or girl. James didn't know, and of course I'm going to keep it.And now, if you don't mind I'd like to be left alone."
Eric stared at Mary, his mouth wide open, as Annie pulled him out the door closely followed by Ruthie, Simon, and the twins.
Next to go were all of James' siblings and their kids.
After that Lucy tightly embraced her sister than she, Kevin, and their three-year-old daughter left the house.
James' mother, Connie, was the only one left, slowly she walked towards Mary and motioned for her to sit down.
Mary quietly obeyed as Connie sat down next to her.
"You know, when you and James got married, I didn't think you could love him as much as I did. I didn't think anyone could, but I know you did. You're the only one that can understand how much I loved him, because you're the only one that loved him as much as I did."
Mary smiled slightly as a tear rolled down her cheek, "thankyou," she whispered.
Connie pulled her daughter-in-law into a tight embrace, "I love you Mary," she whispered.
"I love you too," Mary whispered, that was the first time she and Connie had shared those words, but it wouldn't be the last.
Six months later Mary was sitting next to Connie looking through the same photo album. With each photograph they shared their tears and pain.
**
Six months and every day I think
About him
He was sweet and he was kind
Most of all he was mine
And I don't know how I've lived without him
**
After Connie left, Mary walked into the kitchen to fix herself lunch. As she looked across the deck the calico cat James' had always loved began to scratch at the door.
Mary laughed, she hadn't seen that cat since 'the phone call.' Slowly she rose from her seat, and opened the door. The small cat rubbed against her legs, purring slightly.
Just as James had done so many times before, Mary poured water from the sink into a small bowl then pulled a few pieces of cooked turkey from the fridge.
The cat licked her hand as she placed the food on the floor.
After finishing lunch Mary drove to a nearby store and bought a bag of cat food, 2 dishes, a litter box, and a bag of kitty litter.
When she opened the front door the cat greeted her, gently rubbing against her legs. Mary smiled as she set up the litter box and food dishes.
That night, Mary lie down in bed, silently preparing for another long night. As she closed her eyes the small cat jumped into the bed and curled up next to her. Mary gently stroked the cat's head as she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Mary rolled over and sat up, looking at the clock, expecting it to be one or two, the time she usually woke up.
"Eight-thirty!" Mary screamed as she jumped from her bed, realizing she had never slept through the night since James' death.
As Mary quickly got ready for work, the cat followed her around the house, gently rubbing against her legs.
**
I'm takin' in that old stray cat Jimmy always liked
A little calico who always seems to know
How to get me through the night Think I'm gonna name her Ruby
Think we're gonna be good friends.
**
When Mary arrived home she was greeted by the ringing phone, quickly she ran into the kitchen, lifting the phone from the receiver.
"Hello?" she asked, out of breath.
"Mary, are you okay?" Annie asked her tone filled with worry.
Mary laughed, "I'm fine, I just walked in the door and ran to the phone."
"Oh, you shouldn't be running, it's not good for the baby."
Mary smiled as Ruby jumped into her lap, "I'm sure running a few feet won't hurt her."
"Still, you shouldn't be running."
"Okay mom, I won't run anymore."
Annie smiled, "Thankyou, anyways I was just calling to see how you were."
"I'm okay, but you never told me how tired, being pregnant makes you."
Annie laughed, "you'll forget about all those things once you hold her."
"That's what Lucy says."
"She's right," Annie replied laughing.
"I hope so." Annie smiled, she was amazed at how happy Mary sounded today, usually she was understandably, unenthusiastic, "so what are we doing for your birthday?"
Mary looked at a nearby calendar, realizing her birthday was only a few days away.
**
Think I'm gonna buy a bucket of paint
Lighten up this place and make it home again
Think im gona make some phone calls
Some petitfores and big pink bows
And have a party on the patio
**
After Mary hung up the phone, she reached down and petted Ruby, who was quietly purring in her lap. Before Mary stood up the phone rang again.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hey, Mare, it's Connie, I just wanted to see how you were doing."
Mary smiled, "I'm okay, how are you?"
"Okay, but I was wondering, what are we doing about that birthday you've got coming up."
Mary laughed, somehow she was the only one that had forgotten her birthday.
**
Jimmy's mom calls every day
Mostly though it's just to say
"You're gonna make it"
We share more than just last names
Tears of joy and tears of pain. The good lord giveth and he taketh
I can feel the baby kick now every day
guess we'll have that shower someday
Oh and by the way.
Think I'm gonna name her Jamie
Think we're gonna be good friends
Think I'm gonna buy a bucket of paint
Lighten up this place and make it home again
Think I'm gonna make some phone calls
Some petitfores and big pink bows
And have a party on the patio
Think I'm gonna name her Jamie
Think we're gonna be good friends
Think I'm gonna buy a bucket of paint
Lighten up this place and make it home again
Think I'm gonna make some phone calls
Some petitfores and big pink bows
And have a party on the patio
Oh have a little party on the patio
**
Mary walked amongst her friends and family, the genial atmosphere was comforting to everyone, it seemed that Mary was finally going to be okay.
"How are you?" James' younger sister, Emily asked as she and Mary finished fixing lunch.
Mary smiled, "I'd be okay, if everyone stopped asking me that."
Emily laughed, "sorry."
Mary smiled as she and Emily hugged, "it's okay, everything's okay."
The End
I may write a sequel, if you want one tell me.
The song lyrics were written by Jeffrey Steele and Craig Wiseman
"He promised," Mary whispered as tears poured from her eyes, "he promised but he did it anyways."
Quickly Mary slammed the album shut and ran for the bathroom, as tears fell from her cheeks. As Mary sat hunched over the toilet, she imagined James rubbing her back, whispering about how everything would be okay, but James was not there, he was never going to be there. Never.
With this thought Mary stood up quickly washing her face and hands. She knew that if she wanted her child to have a normal life she was going to have to forget James. No, not forget him, but let him go.
**
"Hello?" Lucy asked as she picked up the phone.
"So what's it like to have a baby?" Mary asked shakily.
"Mary, Oh my God! Are you?"
"Yes." Mary whispered, her tone emotionless.
Not knowing what to say Lucy answered Mary's question, "it's.um, it's great. But it hurts."
"Will you be there when I.when I have to do it?"
"Yes, yes of course I will."
"Thanks Luce," Mary replied quickly hanging up the phone.
Lucy stared at the phone as she listened to the dial tone. She was a minister, like Eric, she was supposed to be able to help everyone, but she was at a total loss when it came to helping Mary.
The next day the entire Camden and Owens' family stood around James' headstone. As his coffin was lowered into the ground Mary's face remained flat, though everyone around her was teary-eyed she couldn't bring herself to cry, tears didn't even begin to describe how she was feeling at that moment.
**
Buried James the fourth of May
**
After the funeral everyone gathered at Mary and James' house. As the hours passed the pity was starting to drive Mary crazy, finally she stood up.
"I.um.I have an announcement to make."
Everyone turned to look at her, as she continued, "I'm pregnant."
For a moment everyone stared at her, then all of the sudden she was bombarded with questions.
"Did James know?"
"When are you due?"
"How far along are you?"
"Are you going to keep it?"
"Have you seen a doctor yet?"
"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?"
Before any more questions could be asked, Mary held up her arms and quickly attempted to answer the questions, "I'm only like 2 months along, and I haven't been to the doctor yet, so I don't know my due date or if it's a boy or girl. James didn't know, and of course I'm going to keep it.And now, if you don't mind I'd like to be left alone."
Eric stared at Mary, his mouth wide open, as Annie pulled him out the door closely followed by Ruthie, Simon, and the twins.
Next to go were all of James' siblings and their kids.
After that Lucy tightly embraced her sister than she, Kevin, and their three-year-old daughter left the house.
James' mother, Connie, was the only one left, slowly she walked towards Mary and motioned for her to sit down.
Mary quietly obeyed as Connie sat down next to her.
"You know, when you and James got married, I didn't think you could love him as much as I did. I didn't think anyone could, but I know you did. You're the only one that can understand how much I loved him, because you're the only one that loved him as much as I did."
Mary smiled slightly as a tear rolled down her cheek, "thankyou," she whispered.
Connie pulled her daughter-in-law into a tight embrace, "I love you Mary," she whispered.
"I love you too," Mary whispered, that was the first time she and Connie had shared those words, but it wouldn't be the last.
Six months later Mary was sitting next to Connie looking through the same photo album. With each photograph they shared their tears and pain.
**
Six months and every day I think
About him
He was sweet and he was kind
Most of all he was mine
And I don't know how I've lived without him
**
After Connie left, Mary walked into the kitchen to fix herself lunch. As she looked across the deck the calico cat James' had always loved began to scratch at the door.
Mary laughed, she hadn't seen that cat since 'the phone call.' Slowly she rose from her seat, and opened the door. The small cat rubbed against her legs, purring slightly.
Just as James had done so many times before, Mary poured water from the sink into a small bowl then pulled a few pieces of cooked turkey from the fridge.
The cat licked her hand as she placed the food on the floor.
After finishing lunch Mary drove to a nearby store and bought a bag of cat food, 2 dishes, a litter box, and a bag of kitty litter.
When she opened the front door the cat greeted her, gently rubbing against her legs. Mary smiled as she set up the litter box and food dishes.
That night, Mary lie down in bed, silently preparing for another long night. As she closed her eyes the small cat jumped into the bed and curled up next to her. Mary gently stroked the cat's head as she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Mary rolled over and sat up, looking at the clock, expecting it to be one or two, the time she usually woke up.
"Eight-thirty!" Mary screamed as she jumped from her bed, realizing she had never slept through the night since James' death.
As Mary quickly got ready for work, the cat followed her around the house, gently rubbing against her legs.
**
I'm takin' in that old stray cat Jimmy always liked
A little calico who always seems to know
How to get me through the night Think I'm gonna name her Ruby
Think we're gonna be good friends.
**
When Mary arrived home she was greeted by the ringing phone, quickly she ran into the kitchen, lifting the phone from the receiver.
"Hello?" she asked, out of breath.
"Mary, are you okay?" Annie asked her tone filled with worry.
Mary laughed, "I'm fine, I just walked in the door and ran to the phone."
"Oh, you shouldn't be running, it's not good for the baby."
Mary smiled as Ruby jumped into her lap, "I'm sure running a few feet won't hurt her."
"Still, you shouldn't be running."
"Okay mom, I won't run anymore."
Annie smiled, "Thankyou, anyways I was just calling to see how you were."
"I'm okay, but you never told me how tired, being pregnant makes you."
Annie laughed, "you'll forget about all those things once you hold her."
"That's what Lucy says."
"She's right," Annie replied laughing.
"I hope so." Annie smiled, she was amazed at how happy Mary sounded today, usually she was understandably, unenthusiastic, "so what are we doing for your birthday?"
Mary looked at a nearby calendar, realizing her birthday was only a few days away.
**
Think I'm gonna buy a bucket of paint
Lighten up this place and make it home again
Think im gona make some phone calls
Some petitfores and big pink bows
And have a party on the patio
**
After Mary hung up the phone, she reached down and petted Ruby, who was quietly purring in her lap. Before Mary stood up the phone rang again.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hey, Mare, it's Connie, I just wanted to see how you were doing."
Mary smiled, "I'm okay, how are you?"
"Okay, but I was wondering, what are we doing about that birthday you've got coming up."
Mary laughed, somehow she was the only one that had forgotten her birthday.
**
Jimmy's mom calls every day
Mostly though it's just to say
"You're gonna make it"
We share more than just last names
Tears of joy and tears of pain. The good lord giveth and he taketh
I can feel the baby kick now every day
guess we'll have that shower someday
Oh and by the way.
Think I'm gonna name her Jamie
Think we're gonna be good friends
Think I'm gonna buy a bucket of paint
Lighten up this place and make it home again
Think I'm gonna make some phone calls
Some petitfores and big pink bows
And have a party on the patio
Think I'm gonna name her Jamie
Think we're gonna be good friends
Think I'm gonna buy a bucket of paint
Lighten up this place and make it home again
Think I'm gonna make some phone calls
Some petitfores and big pink bows
And have a party on the patio
Oh have a little party on the patio
**
Mary walked amongst her friends and family, the genial atmosphere was comforting to everyone, it seemed that Mary was finally going to be okay.
"How are you?" James' younger sister, Emily asked as she and Mary finished fixing lunch.
Mary smiled, "I'd be okay, if everyone stopped asking me that."
Emily laughed, "sorry."
Mary smiled as she and Emily hugged, "it's okay, everything's okay."
The End
I may write a sequel, if you want one tell me.
The song lyrics were written by Jeffrey Steele and Craig Wiseman