Chapter 19

There was what Woody thought was a very long pause as a thousand thoughts went through his mind. How did she know? Could he admit THAT to his mother? Should he tell her 'yes'? What would she do if he did say 'yes'? Would it change how she would react when she learned how long they had been married? He had already made the decision not to tell her that the child Jordan was carrying wasn't his. He would take the heat for that one and would protect Jordan from anymore hurt about the baby. He knew that his mother's deep set Mid Western values would be hard pressed to accept that her son had conceived a child out of wedlock, but the truth would be even harder to deal with. So, he would keep Jordan's secret even if he would gain his mother's disapproval.

Taking a deep breath, he answered her, "Yes mom, I love her. I have ever since we first met. She is the only one for me, big city career girl or not! Jordan is the one."

"I'm so glad Woody! That is how your father and I felt about each other all the years we were together. I could never bring myself to think about another man even after he was gone. If you love your Jordan that way, then she has to be the right one! She did sound very nice on the phone this morning. When are you going to bring her here so we can all meet her?"

"We were just talking about that today mom, and I was thinking about the second week in August. How does that sound to you?"

"Why so long Woody? That's six weeks away!"

"Jordan's father is getting married at the end of July and Jordan wants to be in town for that."

"Oh well, I guess she would want to be there for that. Is your poor Jordan a product of a broken home? Children of divorce always have the feeling of divided loyalties."

"No mom, her parents aren't divorced. Jordan's mother was murdered when she was just a little girl."

"Oh the poor dear! That must have been so awful for her! Did they ever find the person that did such a horrible thing?!"

"No mom, her murder was never solved even though Jordan's father was a cop. They never found the guy."

"Oh my. Your poor Jordan! Growing up without a mother! I do so hope that hasn't turned her against the idea of being a mother herself. I know what a good father you will be Woodrow and I would shudder to think of you married to someone who doesn't want children."

"At first Jordan didn't think she wanted a baby, but I managed to convince her that she wouldn't be doing it alone. I would be with her the whole way and that was when she relented and decided it was okay."

"That is wonderful Woody! Now I know the two of you haven't been married very long, but do you have any idea on when you might bless me with a grandchild?"

"Yes I do mom…ummm mom are you sitting down?" he asked, knowing good and well that if she was at the kitchen phone she wouldn't be.

"No Woody I'm…now why would you want to know that? Oh! Wait just a minute! Is that girl already pregnant?! Woodrow Aloysius Hoyt did you go and get her pregnant before you married her?! I am shocked and appalled at you! I know I raised you better than that! To think that a son of mine would do something like that! Oh Woody how could you?! Think of what this will do to the family name! The disgrace! I won't be able to hold my head up in church any longer! And me the leader of the Ladies Altar Society! They will probably demand that I step down! Oh Woody!"

To be continued…