All the way home, Jo debated whether she should send her mother an email about her upcoming marriage or tell her over the telephone, finally deciding on the latter. As soon as she was home, she dialed her mother's telephone number.
Rose Polniaczek was in the bathroom running water for her shower when she heard the telephone ringing. Quickly she shut the water off and dashed to the bedroom.
"Mom!" Jo exclaimed with relief when she heard her mother's voice. "I was afraid you weren't home."
"I was just about to take my shower, hon."
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Jo exclaimed. "I didn't mean to interrupt you."
"I know you didn't, honey," Rose replied. "That's all right. How have you and Jamie been? You know how I worry about you all the way over there on your own."
"It's not so terribly far," said Jo. "You'd better sit down, Mom. I've got some pretty big news."
"Well, let's hear it!"
"Are you sitting down?"
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Jo..." Jo could almost see her mother rolling her eyes.
"I'm getting married!"
"Married? To whom?"
"Doug Norman. I told you about him before."
"But Jo, you've known him for less than six months!"
"That's long enough, Mom. I love him and want to spend the rest of my life with him."
A long silence followed, broken by Rose. "Are you pregnant, Jo?"
Jo sighed. "We were going to tell you together, Mom."
"Joanna Marie Polniaczek! How could you have let this happen? You're not a teenager anymore. You're plenty old enough to know how to prevent such things from happening!"
"I know, Mom. It was my fault. I should have taken precautions, and I didn't. I thought I was too old for it to happen."
"At your age, Jo! Don't you realize how dangerous this is?"
"I know. That's why Dr. Hanson said she'd keep a close eye on me for the entire pregnancy."
"And how is Jamie taking all this?"
"She thinks it's really cool. She and Doug get along great."
"And you're sure this man really loves you and wants to take care of you?"
"I'm positive, Mom."
"So when is this wedding going to take place?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. We talked to the priest, and he said he needs my confirmation papers before he can marry us."
"Well, that's no problem. I'll bring them just as soon as I can get a flight over there. I want to meet the man who's gotten my daughter in this condition."
"Don't blame Doug, Mom. I'm the one who told him it wouldn't happen at my age."
"Both of you are to blame," Rose stated. "But it's too late to do anything about it now. I'll be there as soon as I can get a flight out."
"Thanks, Mom. Please don't forget the confirmation papers. And Mom...I love you."
"I love you too, sweetie. Take care."
Jo was dizzy with relief as she hung up.
Jo sent emails to Mrs. Garrett, Blair, Natalie, Tootie, her Aunt Evelyn, and her cousins Bud, Paul, Terry, and Mike. They all congratulated her and said that they'd try to make it to the wedding. Doug called Monday evening.
"I talked to my Mom," Jo told him. "I told her I was getting married and needed my confirmation papers. She asked me if I was pregnant, and I couldn't lie to her."
Doug gave a low whistle. "And what did she say about it?"
"Well, needless to say, she wasn't pleased, but I think she'll come around."
"I'm sure she will, darlin.'"
"How's Clay?"
"He's fine. Back at home now. Earl had a good, long talk with him, and he's doin' much better now."
"I'm so glad," Jo replied. "Whatever would we do without Earl?"
Doug laughed. "Hope we never have to find out."
Jo wondered what her mother would say if she knew that not only did angels really exist, but her daughter knew one personally.
Rose arrived in Oklahoma City late Wednesday night. Jo and Jamie were at the airport to meet her.
"Grandma!" Jamie exclaimed, rushing to hug her.
"Hi, darling!" Rose said as she embraced her granddaughter. "Has everything been all right? How's school?"
"Great, Grandma! I made the honor roll on my last report card!"
"Now that's the news I like to hear." Rose turned to her daughter. "Hello, Jo."
"Mom." Jo was near tears as she hugged her mother's neck.
"There, there," Rose murmured as she patted Jo's back. "Everything's going to be all right."
Jo drove her mother to her motel room, where the three of them stayed up until about midnight talking. At last an exhausted Jo drove her daughter back to their apartment and went to bed, where she fell asleep almost immediately.