Chapter 2
Stephanie woke up the following evening, confused by her surroundings. It took a few minutes to realize where she slept. "Stephie, are you awake?" Grandma Plum asked.
"I just woke up," Stephanie mumbled.
"Dinner's ready."
She checked the time on her alarm. It was 7 pm. "Isn't it a bit late for dinner?" Stephanie asked. Her mom had dinner on the table by 6 pm sharp. Everyone arrived on time, or dinner got ruined.
Philomena laughed, "You're not in the Burg anymore. We let you sleep because it looked like you needed it." Stephanie giggled and climbed out of bed.
She looked around the room. The furniture and bedding were familiar from when her grandparents lived in Trenton. They moved to Chicago four years ago when her uncle Ronald passed away, leaving her aunt Carla to raise four children alone.
Philomena babysat while Carla worked. Carla's parents died in a car accident after her oldest son, Ronnie, was born. Her cousin Ronnie turned twelve a few months ago, and her youngest cousin, Anna, was five.
"I forgot to call my dad," Stephanie announced, taking her seat between her grandparents at the table. Philomena wore a white blouse with tiny blue flowers, navy blue pants, and bright pink slippers.
Grandpa Plum, Frank Sr, wore his standard khaki pants with a plaid shirt, the familiarity making Stephanie smile. Stephanie's dad resembled his mother, Philomena, more than his dad. His hair was wavy like Frank Sr, and they had the same eye colour.
"Your grandfather called him while we unpacked your bags," Grandma Plum stated.
Stephanie was relieved that her father got informed. "Are you disappointed in me?" Stephanie shyly asked, looking through her eyelashes. She was afraid they would be judgemental, like the rigid Catholics in Trenton.
"Everyone makes mistakes, dear. Your grandfather and I got married when I was two months pregnant with your Uncle Vincent," Grandma stated. Stephanie was surprised. Uncle Vincent was her cousin Vinnie's father. Vinnie, her cousin, was sexually curious. Luckily, her dad didn't spend too much time visiting them.
"Does that mean you got married on October 8th, not August 10th?" Stephanie asked, assuming they flipped the month and day.
Grandpa Plum laughed. "I always knew you were sharp as a tack," he replied.
"Where will I go to school?" Stephanie asked.
"Your aunt Carla enrolled you into the local public high school. I got your course selection from your father. During the first semester, you'll take Math, Biology, English, Computer Science and Spanish. Carla will drive you to and from school," Grandma said.
"You'll be too far along in your pregnancy to attend the second semester. Carla promised to make arrangements for the second semester. It might mean attending summer school," Grandpa added.
In Miami…
Ricky talked to his Abuela Rosa about the beautiful girl he met at Point Pleasant. "Her eyes are bluer than the sky. She's funny, crazy, and amazing," Ricky said.
Rosa Manoso laughed. "Your Stephanie will come back to you, Ricardo. God works in mysterious ways," she stated.
"Abuela, I did something stupid," he said. "I took her virginity." Ricky dropped his chin to his chest, embarrassed.
She used her finger to raise his chin. Rosa looked into her grandson's eyes and asked, "Did she say no?" Ricky shook his head. "Did she ask you to stop?" Again, he shook his head no. "Was she a willing participant?"
"Yes, Abuela," he answered. "I love her."
"But?" Rosa could see he struggled to express his warring emotions.
"But she left without saying goodbye," Ricky confessed. "Stephanie doesn't love me back, and I know she won't come back to me."
"Ricardo, keep the faith. She will return to you," Rosa said. She looked closely at her grandson. He looked happy while talking about his Babe, Stephanie. She prayed Ricardo would find her again.
Rosa Manoso knew her grandson was not a virgin before having sex with Stephanie. The gang he joined in Newark, New Jersey, made the initiates perform sexual activities with the girls in the crew. When she found out, she asked if he had used protection. He assured her that he did. She thought Ricardo was foolish to have sex with another girl. He hoped her grandson didn't give her any diseases.
"We didn't use protection. I'll visit the doctor for tests, Abuela," Ricky said before going to his room. "Stephanie was the only girl." Abuela prayed that Ricardo didn't get Stephanie pregnant. If she did, that the girl would raise the child.
A few months later, in Chicago, on October 12th…
"Would you like to know the gender of your baby?" Dr. Pierce asked Stephanie. She looked at her grandmother, who nodded. Stephanie lay on the examination table with her yoga pants rolled beneath her baby bump. Her baggy shirt got rolled up to her breasts.
"Sure. I would like to know," Stephanie replied.
Dr. Pierce moved the sonogram wand before announcing, "It's a boy." The doctor was young, Stephanie placed her in her mid-thirties. Dr. Marcia Pierce had her dark auburn hair pulled into a low ponytail and grey eyes.
"Happy birthday," Stephanie mumbled before crying. It was her seventeenth birthday, and she found out she was pregnant with a boy.
"How far along is Stephanie?" Philomena asked, rubbing Stephanie's arm to comfort her.
"Eighteen weeks," Dr. Pierce replied. "The baby is due March 16, 2002."
"And the test results?" Stephanie asked. The STD tests got a run a second time to ensure she didn't catch a disease.
"All negative, again," Pierce replied.
"Thank goodness," Grandma Plum stated.
Stephanie was given a printed image of her baby with Ricky. She wiped a tear from her eye as she thought about the boy she loved. They didn't know each other for long, but she felt a strong connection to him. Stephanie was undecided about keeping the baby. Now she knows that it's a boy, she chose to raise him.
She was quiet during the ride home. The sonogram image got safely tucked into her purse. Philomena kept looking at her granddaughter, wondering what she was thinking. Stephanie tugged on her shirt, pulling it down to cover her stomach. "I don't remember seeing this shirt before. Where did you get it?" Grandma Plum asked.
"Um. It belonged to Ricky. He gave it to me that night," Stephanie quietly replied. "I wanted to feel him close to me when the doctor saw the baby's gender."
"Does Ricky know you're pregnant with his child?" Philomena felt the boy deserved to know.
"No. I don't know how to find him. We never told each other our last names," Stephanie confessed. "I was an idiot for having sex with a boy I didn't know. My son is my penance."
"Did you get his phone number?" her grandma asked.
"Yes, but I forgot to take it out of my pants before I washed them," Stephanie cried. "Grandma, would you be disappointed if I raised my son?"
"No, my sweet granddaughter. I am proud of you," Grandma Plum replied. "You are taking responsibility for your decision."
After dinner, Stephanie received a call from her dad, Frank, to wish her a happy birthday. She cried when her mother and sister refused to talk to her. Her grandpa and grandma Mazur called to wish her a happy birthday.
"Stephanie, there's a phone call for you," Grandpa Plum called.
"Hello?" Stephanie answered.
"Steph?" Eddie asked.
"Eddie? Is it really you?" Stephanie asked.
"Yes, Steph, it's really me. Happy birthday. There's someone else here," Eddie announced as he passed the phone to Mary Lou.
"Happy birthday, Steph," Mary Lou shouted.
"Lou? I didn't think I'd ever hear your voice again," Stephanie cried.
"We're best friends, Steph. Of course, I'm going to call you. My parents forbade me from associating with you, but the Gazarra's let Eddie and me use the phone. I'm sorry for not finding a way to call sooner. Please don't be mad at me," Mary Lou gushed.
"I'm not mad, Lou. Hurt, yes, but not mad. What about you, Eddie?"
"It took a bit to find your grandparent's phone number. Their number is unlisted," Eddie stated. The library had phone books for various major cities. Eddie looked in the Chicago and area listing, but there wasn't a listing for Plum.
"Oh, I wasn't aware it wasn't in the phone book. How did you find it?" Stephanie wondered.
"I got it from your dad," Eddie replied. "Lou, Carl, Mad Dog, Shirley, and I will call once a week."
"Thanks for calling today. You have no idea how much it means to me," Stephanie said. She listened as Eddie and Mary Lou updated her about everything happening in Trenton. They never asked about the baby, and she never volunteered the information. Having a boy was going to remain her secret.
"When are you coming home?" Eddie asked. "I miss my friend."
"I miss you too, Eddie. But I don't know when I'm coming home," Stephanie honestly replied.
"Daddy said I could use his beach house on Thanksgiving if you wanted to visit," Mary said.
"I'm not sure, Lou. Won't your mom get upset?" Stephanie asked.
"No. The beach house belongs to my dad. He inherited it when my grandpa died," Mary Lou replied.
"I'd love to visit, but I don't want to travel right now. Maybe in the spring?"
"I'll ask dad. Helen said you're looking for a family to adopt the baby," Mary Lou stated. "At least she hopes you don't bring the child back to Trenton."
Stephanie was furious. She ended the conversation with Eddie and Mary Lou, saying she had an essay to finish for Monday morning. All of her homework and assignments were ready to submit. She didn't leave her work to the last minute.
Mary Lou looked at the phone before giving it to Eddie. "She hung up. What did I say?" Mary Lou asked.
"Lou, I think Stephanie is keeping the baby," Eddie replied. "We should support her, not spread her mother's vile words."
"I wasn't being a good friend," Mary Lou said before crying. Eddie awkwardly consoled her before calling Lenny Stankovic to pick her up and take her home.
Stephanie was upset that her mother would spread such rumours. "Would it kill you to support my decision, mom?" Stephanie asked.
~~~
On Christmas Day, Frank Sr asked Stephanie if she wanted to move home or stay in Chicago after her son was born. "Do I need to find an apartment?" Stephanie asked.
"Sweetie, we want you to live here and finish your education. Graduate high school and go to college," Grandma stated.
"If I go to college, what would I do with Ricardo?" Stephanie asked, rubbing her bump. She assumed Ricky was short for the name Ricardo.
"Baby Ricardo can stay with us," Grandpa offered. "Apply to the college of your choice, and we'll handle the rest."
Stephanie hugged her grandparents. "Thank you for not kicking me out," Stephanie cried.
"We love you, Stephanie. You can live with us as long as you want," Philomena told her granddaughter. "Your grandfather and I will pay for your college."
"I'll apply for scholarships," Stephanie stated.
"No pressure, sweetie. Your grades are remarkable," Grandma Plum said.
"I work hard to keep my mind off this little guy and his dad. Why do I feel so lost?" Stephanie said as tears filled her eyes. "He's due in eleven weeks. The kids at school noticed my clothes are getting larger."
"You have a few more weeks of classes before exams. Carla said you're enrolled for the second semester but learn from home until Ricardo is born," she explained.
"Thank goodness. The school counsellor suggested I go to school for pregnant teens," Stephanie said. "I heard they teach you how to raise kids."
"Ah. Home economics, parenting, cooking and laundry," Philomena laughed.
"I know how to do laundry and clean," Stephanie defensively said.
"And I've been teaching you how to cook."
"Are you feeling okay, Steph?" Frank Sr asked his granddaughter.
"I think so. Something weird happened. It felt like something moved," Stephanie tried to explain. "I've been feeling it for weeks."
"Sweetie, that's because Ricardo is kicking," Grandma Plum explained. "At first, it feels like butterflies in your stomach. After a few months, it feels like something is moving across your belly."
Stephanie put her hand on the stomach to feel Ricardo moving his hand or foot across her lower abdomen. "I thought something was wrong. It never occurred to me that Ricardo was kicking."
~~~
In Rosa Manoso's home in Miami, Ricardo sat beside his grandmother to eat Christmas dinner with his friends and their mothers. Lester Santos, Pierre Sherman and Bobby Brown sat along the side of the table with Ricky. Grandma invited them to supper because the boys' fathers got deployed after Thanksgiving. They would be away until the beginning of June. She wanted the boys to spend time together.
When everyone left for the night, Ricky went to his bedroom and thought about the curly-haired brunette with blue eyes. If he concentrated hard enough, he could almost feel her presence.
~~~
Back in Trenton, Helen cleaned up the kitchen after dinner. Helen had set a plate at the table for Stephanie, but her youngest daughter didn't come home. Frank looked at her as though he hated her deep into his soul. She had to unplug the phone because the neighbours called to ask why Stephanie had not attended the Christmas Eve service at church.
After looking around to make sure she was alone, Helen opened the pantry door to grab the bottle of whiskey she hid behind the flour. "Drinking won't fix your mistake," Frank said, causing Helen to jump and spill her drink.
"You're talking to me now?" Helen spat.
"I've been talking to you for months, but you refused to listen," he replied.
"Hmph. All I hear you do is defend the slut, Stephanie. Why me? Why does my daughter whore herself out to thugs?" Helen cried.
"Are you upset that Stephanie had sex or that she didn't have sex with a Burg approved boy?" Frank asked. "Choose your words wisely."
"Stephanie should be more like Valerie," Helen screamed.
Valerie sat on the stairs, listening to her parents argue about Stephanie. If her younger sister were more like her, she would have had sex with several boys by now. Her mother painted Valerie as a saint, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Valerie was a much better liar than her sister.
She went into her parent's bedroom to call grandma Plum. "Hello?" Grandpa Plum answered.
"Hi, Grandpa. It's Valerie. May I please speak to Stephanie?" Valerie asked.
"Let me check. Don't get upset if Steph doesn't want to talk," Grandpa warned. Valerie agreed and waited to see if her sister would want to talk to her.
"Hi, Val," Stephanie greeted. "Grandpa said we should talk."
"I'm sorry, Stephanie. Mom's being a bitch, but dad is supportive," Valerie said.
"Why am I not surprised," Stephanie sarcastically replied. "Why are you calling? It's not like we're close or anything."
"I have a few questions. But I'm going to share my secrets first. I lost my virginity to Anthony Morelli in his garage when I was fourteen. Joe and I had sex after he stopped at the bakery. The bakery door got locked," Valerie confessed.
"You said the bakery was locked? What night?" Stephanie asked.
"The night before Joe left for the Navy," Valerie replied. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Val. It sounds like I would have lost my virginity to Joe if the other boy didn't show up first," Stephanie shuddered. She thought Joe was sexy and had a nice ass. Stephanie was happy her son was not a Morelli.
Valerie heard someone walking closer to the staircase. "Sorry, Steph. I have to go. Someone is coming," Val said before quietly replacing the receiver. She slipped into the bathroom and closed the door.