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Chapter 3: In Utero
Bill drove his baby blue Ford Thunderbird as hard as it could go. The reason for his haste was written on the telegram stuck in his travel bag.
Bill sat at his dormitory desk with a copy of Superman spread open. His liberal arts degree was more accurately one on Asian studies and he was supposed to be reading about the Rape of Nanking. Then there was a knock at the door.
George, the dorm father, appeared with a telegram.
"This just came for you."
"Thanks," said Bill, taking it from him, but he waited for George to leave before opening it. It was from Esteban.
"Bill, your mother needs you. STOP Paul has left. STOP Come. STOP Esteban STOP"
Bill glanced at the textbooks on the desk, but they could wait. It was just after Valentine's Day and at least three weeks before midterms started. Then he scribbled a note for his roommate, Steve, got together a few things and left in his 1955 Ford Thunderbird.
The ten year old girl was watching television, but he could see her mind was elsewhere. He deliberately slammed the door and her trance was broken.
"Bill," she said, happily and threw her arms around him. He hugged her tightly.
"Oh, Bella, how I've missed you."
"Of course," she was quick to respond, but her delivery was off and followed by, "How is she?"
Bill parked the car outside the hospital and strolled inside. A small radio at the front desk played Porter Wagoner's debut song.
"Where is Betty Albacea?" he asked the receptionists.
"Room 212," she said and he nodded. He found her asleep with Esteban sitting close by in a chair. Bill took the other and studied his mother. Her brown hair lay limp across her bruised face and her left arm bore a cast. He took her right hand and squeezed, but there was no response in her brown eyes so he took out his small harmonica. Bill began to play one of her favorite Cole Porter songs. Her eyes fluttered and she began to wake up. Her eyes locked on her son in the chair.
"Bill, "she said, softly, "he…"
"It doesn't matter. I won't let him come back."
She tried to smile, but her face was swollen.
"Mom's better, she really is," lied Bill.
"He was so angry…so angry with her," said Bella, tears coming to her eyes. Bill hugged her tighter, wanting her to somehow be happy again, but she had seen too much for such a young age.
"He's not coming back. I promise"
"Cause you and Esteban won't let him."
"Right," said Bill and nodded toward the television, "What is this crap you're watching?"
"American Bandstand."
Bill made a face.
"Tell me what books you've read recently."
"Oh, I'm reading that Encyclopedia set you sent. Did you know that there are people who don't eat meat?"
"Yes, they're called vegetarians."
She shook her head and said, "That's just bizarre."
"Bill, come in here."
Bill complied and entered his mother's room where she lay on the bed. It had been a week since her attack.
"You have to go back to school, mijo."
"But…"
"No buts, Esteban has offered to help me until my arm's healed and I have Bella. You have school."
"If you need anything, just telegram."
She smiled and said, "I couldn't ask for a better son." Bill left the next morning.
"She was doing fine when I left her," said Bill to the man standing in the middle of the road.
"I heard about your work for the Acuna boys. My name's Xue Fang."
Bill couldn't hide his surprise.
"You almost own the west coast."
"Almost," agreed Fang, "But I think you can help me with that."
Bill opened the door to the dorm and passed George's room.
"Bill, wait a minute."
"The telegraph man brought this by. I hope your mother is doing well," said George, holding out the paper. Budd didn't hesitate to open it up and read it as he made for his room, leaving George to wonder.
"Come to Easter. Stop. Love, Mom. Stop."
"Easter?" asked Bill to himself. They almost never celebrated Easter.
Bill parked his car beside his mother's old Dodge Rambler and Esteban's Mustang. Bella had been waiting because no sooner had he gotten out of the car did she throw herself on him.
"Oof," said Bill, "Get off."
Bella pouted, but Bill motioned to his back, "Get up." Bill had to duck down under the entryway so that Bella wouldn't hit her head and then she slid down. Esteban was in the living room, smoking.
"Dinner will be ready in half an hour or so," he informed Bill.
"Bill, is that you?" asked a voice from the kitchen. Bill headed to the sound, but she met him halfway.
"Bill," she said, happily and kissed his cheek. He kissed her back and hugged her, then pulled back to get a good look at her. His mother wasn't really that old, having only turned forty last summer. The bruises and cuts from her attack were barely noticeable and she was managing fine with her cast. More than that, she was happy. There was almost a glow to her.
"Spend time with Bella while I finish things up."
"That looks delicious," said Bill as they all sat down. He noted with interest that Esteban sat opposite his mother. Bella glanced at her.
"Eteban, why don't you do the honors?" asked Betty, offering the knife.
"My pleasure for a pretty lady," he said, taking it from her. He cut up the bird and dinner commenced.
"How are you spending your summer?" asked Esteban to Bill.
"I'm not sure, maybe travel."
"Maybe you could stay home this summer because Mom…," started Bella.
"Now Bella, don't guilt your brother into staying."
"But he doesn't…"
"Bella."
Bella gave a look, but accepted turkey from Esteban.
"How are your classes going?"
"Ah, pretty…well, a few of them have been demanding."
Bella poked at her stuffing, but she apparently couldn't contain it any longer.
"Mom wants to give the baby your room."
"What baby?"
"I'm expecting a baby in the fall," said his mother, under her breath, "Please pass the potatoes."
It was clear that she hoped not to discuss the matter, but Bill wasn't going to let it go. He would just bring it up again later.
"You don't have to keep this baby," Bill told his mother as she readied for bed that night. She pulled down the comforter and faced him.
"This baby survived my attack. Oh, yes, I didn't know, but I was pregnant even then. The doctor couldn't understand how I didn't lose it. This baby must have some purpose and I'm going to let that purpose be known."
"But your age?"
"I have Bella to help and you…should you decide to see us again."
Bill looked into his mother's eyes.
"I will."
"Good, I want no more talk of getting rid of this baby. This is your brother or sister and you should be grateful to God."
Budd sat at the bar with a glass of Icelandic Schnapps. He was in a semi good mood until she showed up.
"I'll have what he's having," the blonde said to the bartender.
"I think I'll leave now," said Budd.
"Oh, don't leave, Budd. I think we should get to know each other better."
Budd looked at her. She was drunk.
"Elle, go home."
"No."
Budd got up from his seat. She grabbed his arm.
"Your muscles are so big and round."
"Elle."
Budd tried to get her off the chair.
"Why didn't we ever go out?"
"Because you were busy fucking Bill."
Budd offered his hand for support.
"But what about now? I'm sure I can improve your night."
Elle started to get down on her own accord.
"Elle."
"I won't take my brother's sloppy seconds."
Budd took his hand back and Elle fell to the floor.
"But I loved him and he loved me. We were soul mates, or at least good enough and then that bitch showed up," she blubbered.
"What that was…wasn't love. It might have been lust. It could have been infatuation, but it wasn't love. It wasn't meant to be."
"How do you know? What makes you such a fucking expert?"
Budd was silent a moment. He played with the rings on his hands.
"I had it once. I had true love."
"What happened?"
Budd bit his lip.
"She died."
"What? That one in the '80s?"
"Goodnight, Elle," he said and left.
Budd sought out and found the young woman sitting on a bench, her carryon beside her. She saw him approach and went to him.
"Budd, this is a surprise," she said, hugging him.
"Bea," he said. Then he looked almost concerned.
"Are you sick?"
"No, I probably ate something."
"Green's not your color," he said in an imitation of Vernita. Bea had to laugh and a thought entered Budd's head.
"You're not pregnant, are ya?"
She looked horrified at the thought and quickly said, "Fuck no!"
"Shh! Small ears," said Budd, referring to a two year old boy with light brown hair that was playing nearby with a toy truck.
"Why are you here, anyway?"
"Bill couldn't come in person so he sent me to see you off."
"He doesn't do that for every viper. He doesn't do that for Elle."
"The reason is simple, he doesn't love Elle."
Bea was flattered.
"Does he see you off then?"
"Each and every single fucking time."
Bea's face told him his mistake.
"Oops," he said and they laughed.
"I'm keeping you from your nicotine fix. Go. Tell Bill that I was in high spirits, I'll see him soon and that I…I love him."
"Will do," said Budd, smiling. He walked off, happy that his brother had found his soulmate.