Chapter 9
Joshua didn't respond as he raced toward home. The little guy was fast and Amanda couldn't keep up with him. When she reached the apartment, he was inside eating an apple.
"Joshua, we need to talk." Amanda said. The boy nodded.
"What did you mean about me telling Uncle Robbie what's going on?" She asked.
"You should tell him your pregnant." Again the five-year-old's incredibly lucid speech was surprising.
"Your parents told me you were special but I never guessed…"
"That I can tell what's going on." Joshua finished her sentence.
"I need you to promise me that you won't tell anyone until I've broken the news to Uncle Robbie." Amanda said finally accepting what was happening.
"I promise." He smiled.
"Well since you know my secret why I don't I tell you about your secret?" She wondered. Joshua looked at her and said,
"You mean…"
"I mean those kids that picked on you." Amanda said. Joshua frowned and didn't say anything.
"Let me tell you something. When I was a little older than you I had the same problem. I was ten, in the fifth grade, and slightly bigger than the other kids. My friends didn't care but that didn't stop other kids from saying mean things. I used to come home and cry because of what they had said. My parents told me to ignore them and to try to continue with my life. So I tuned them out. I didn't listen when they called me fat or said other mean things. You know toward the end of middle school they finally took the hint. In high school, I joined the Junior Varsity girl's soccer team and then no one said anything. I went on to play Varsity and had a great time. Now I've lost some weight, I feel great, and I didn't let anyone stop me." Amanda explained.
"It really works?" Joshua asked.
"Yes it does. Make other friends, enjoy childhood while you can, don't let anyone try to stop you." She smiled.
"Thanks Aunt Amanda. That helps a lot." Joshua said. They hugged and then as if someone flicked a switch the little boy was back to be being just that, a little boy. Amanda shook her head and turned on the radio. She recognized the song and smiled. How perfect, she thought.
"…Everybody knows somebody trying to get free
Be as white as you want to
Be as black as you want to
Be as brown as you want to
Don't let anybody stop you
Be as straight as you want to
Be as gay as you want to
You can wait if you want to
We all need something to hold on to
And if there is a way that you and I could both be free
Have a little understanding and we will be…"$
There was a twinkle in Joshua's eyes as he ran down the hall to his bedroom. Amanda sat down on the couch and tried to figure out a way to talk to Robbie.
Around six o'clock, Robbie was tinkering with his latest invention. Amanda walked into his workroom and said,
"Honey we need to talk."
"About what?" Robbie asked not looking up from his work.
"Its important." His wife said. Robbie looked up and saw the look on her face.
"Is everything ok?" He asked lifting the goggles from his eyes.
"Can we go into the living room?" She wondered. Robbie laid down his tools and walked over to her.
"All right." He said. The couple walked out and sat down on the couch. Amanda turned to him.
"Robbie you know how…" Then as if she changed her mind, she just spit out what she was about to tell him.
"I'm pregnant." She didn't know how he would react to what she had just said. Robbie stood up and said,
"Oh boy. Uh…are you sure its mine?" Robbie asked.
"What!" Amanda exclaimed.
"I'm only teasing." Robbie said. He wrapped his arms around her and continued,
"That has to be the best news ever. I love you."
"And I love you." Amanda smiled.
"I can't believe it. We are going to be so happy." Robbie said extremely excited.
"You'd better believe it. Nine months from now you are going to be a proud Poppa. How should we tell our friends?" Amanda asked.
To Be Continued…
$ Song by Simon and Milo entitled 'Be As'