Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy, when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will hear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him until He pleads my cause, and execute judgment for me; He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness.
Micah 7: 8-9
"Zora, what is that boy's number," January asked Zora.
Zora looks at her mother with a puzzled look.
"What do you mean, mama," Zora asks?
"Don't play with me, Zora! I'm talking about Anton," January retorts.
Zora tells January the number, as she dials on the telephone. Zora watches with fear at her mother make the fatal call to the Braganza residence; Zora is scared, she thinks she is going to spew up her heart. It does not matter who answers the phone, she thinks her life is ending at the moment. Zora does not want Anton to be with her due to a baby but for love. Zora is so upset, she goes into her room. Meanwhile, January is still furious, but she knows that she has to compose herself before anyone picks up the phone.
"Hello," Rakel Braganza answers.
"Yes. Hello. Is this the Braganza residence," January ask?
"Who is speaking?"
"This is January Grant, Zora Grant's mother."
"Oh, hello. How are you?"
"Um…well…no so good. We need to talk?"
"…ok…About what?"
"It's about Zora and Anton. You're probably well aware that they have been spending time with each other for quite some time."
"Yes."
"Then you are well aware that they have gotten close…so close that Zora and Anton…"
"Yes."
"They are expecting a child."
"I beg your pardon."
"Your son impregnated my daughter."
"What??!!! That's ridiculous! It's impossible!"
"No. Mrs. Braganza. It's not ridiculous, and it is possible. Zora is in her first trimester----"
"---He is NOT the father. My Anton is a good boy. He does not go around town, soiling his oats. Besides, it has been arranged that he marry a nice girl from a very upstanding family."
"That's fine, Mrs. Braganza. However, Anton has a responsibility as well as an obligation to Zora and her child."
"See? You just said so yourself. Her child. My boy is not the father of that baby!"
"Don't try to be slick----"
"Let me tell you something. I do not appreciate this accusation against Anton. He is getting married to another woman. For the last time…HE IS NOT THE FATHER! The real father is probably some Slumdog your daughter had the misfortune to meet and got her in this mess."
"The only Slumdog, my baby, had the misfortune to meet is YOUR BOY! He is going to get her out of this mess to take care of their baby."
"I do not need to hear any more of this. Good-bye."
Rakel Braganza hangs up the phone; she no longer wants to hear the ranting and raving of a scorned ex-girlfriend and her mother.
"Hello. Hello," replies January.
When she hears the dial tone, she realizes, she rudely dismisses my Rakel Braganza.
"She hung up on me," January says in shock!!!
January redials the number. No one answers the phone; she is very frustrated.
Rakel is nervous; she refuses to believe the disturbing news, but in the back of her mind, she fears that it might be right. Rakel is beside herself. She paces up and down the living room, rubbing her hands together. Her heart is beating faster than usual. All of a sudden, she hears someone unlocking her front door. Rakel stops pacing and runs to the door.
"Hello, my flower," Agnelo Braganza greets his wife.
"Agnelo. I'm so glad you are home."
They kiss each other.
"How was your day," he asks his wife.
Rakel says nothing. She turns around and walks away from her husband.
"Hello. Rakel," greets Agnelo, " How was your day?"
"Sssshhhh, lower your voice," Rakel says harshly, "I don't want the children to hear the matter."
"Well, what is the matter?"
"Remember that girl, Zora?"
"Zora…Zora…"
"Anton brought her to the Devali celebration we had at the church."
"Oh, yes! I was impressed with her dancing when we did the Raaz."
"Yes, well…Zora's mother phoned, and she informed me that…
"That what? Tell me."
"…that girl is allegedly pregnant."
"Oh, wow! How is that possible? Well, I know how but…I thought she was dating Anton."
"Zora's mother is alleging that Zora is carrying Anton's child. Our son may be the father to someone else's child."
"Are you serious, woman???!!!"
"Hush, your mouth," Rakel commands, looking to see if any of the children were in sight.
"That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life," Agnelo says softly.
"That's what I told her, but she was very unreasonable. She had the nerve to call Anton a Slumdog."
"Her daughter and the real father of that…that bastard child is the Slumdogs."
Then it dawns on Agnelo, "Wait! If this is true----"
"---Agnelo, if it is true, what are we going to do? This girl and that baby will ruin our son's future. They will bring shame to our family."
"SSSShhhhh. Anton must not know of this. Nothing and no one must ruin this wedding."
Rakel said calmly, "I agree, husband. We have to change our number so she will not call here."
"Yes, first thing in the morning."
Meanwhile, at the Grant residences, Zora lays on her bed with great apprehension. Zora's back faces towards the door, but she is so overcome with anxiety, it brings her to tears. What is being said? Is the conversation pleasant? Is it hostile? Did her mother speak to Anton, his mother, or his father? What is the outcome?
'Why did it have to come to this,' Zora thinks to herself, as the tears roll down her face.
Her thoughts turn to Anton. The beautiful memories they shared are like photographs falling on top of each other in her mind, from their first encounter to the heart-breaking break-up over the phone. Then Zora's thoughts turn to the night Jabari Montague came to her home to comfort her. She can still remember his scent and his warmth; it feels like a dream. However, like that night, Zora catches her feelings before they got out of hand. Maybe Fabiola is right about letting her hormones control her decisions, …but what if Zora's opinions are valid? Are these romantic feelings for Jabari genuine and not out of vulnerability? Her emotions are conflicting with each other over her friend, Jabari, and Anton, her ex-boyfriend.
'Is this part of being pregnant,' Zora thinks to herself, 'why do my emotions feel so jumbled? I'm so confused and scared.'
Weeks later, the bar is filled with patrons coming to rest easy from the hard day of the work grind or merely coming to meet up with their friends. It is somewhat unusual for Valentine to visit Newkirk's. When she enters the establishment, she makes a bee-line to the bar where Isham Mejia works his magic of making patrons his famous concoctions. She patiently sits down on one of the spinning stoles and waits patiently for Isham to finish serving the patron. When he finishes serving the other patrons, he turns his attention to Valentine.
"Well, hello, Mrs. Newkirk. What's your poison," Isham greets with a smile.
"Um…oh hell…the usual," Valentine requests.
"You got it, Boss Lady."
After fixing her drink, Isham serves her a straw and napkin for her drink.
After taking a sip of her drink, Isham asks her, "So, what are you doing here?"
"I want my husband home."
"Is there something wrong at home? Are the niños okay?"
"No and No."
"Tell me."
"Well, I should discuss with my husband, but you are the bartender, which is the best thing to a priest, and you are practically family…"
Valentine has Isham's undivided attention.
"The children and I miss Chis at home. He works these crazy hours, six days a week."
"Well, Val," Isham starts, "He is "el jefe"."
"Well, "el jefe" needs to be a husband and a father at home. He needs an extra hand around here."
"You mean…like a manager?"
"Yeah. A manager. Someone who can hold down the fort while Chris can relax and chill."
"That does sound like a good idea."
It sounds like an excellent idea for Isham. The wheels begin to turn in Isham's head about being the manager of Newkirk's. Why not? He and Chris are best friends, and Isham mastered mixology. 'Perhaps a promotion would make a turn for the better in my life,' he thinks to himself, 'perhaps…it will help me forget this terrible mistake.'
"Isham…Isham Mejia...," Valentine calls to her friend repeatedly.
"Huh…oh! Sorry. What's that?"
"Is Christopher in his office?"
"No. Chris is over there by the jukebox."
"Thanks, Ish."
Valentine leaves the bar and walks towards Christopher with her drink in her hand. Christopher is still engaged in idle conversation. His back is towards her, so she decides to surprise him.
"Excuse me," she whispers in his ear.
Christopher turns around to see who was whispering so seductively in his ear.
"HEEYY Baby," Christopher exclaims, "What a surprise! Guys, this is my lovely wife, Valentine."
The gentlemen consecutively shake Valentine's hand.
"Wait! Are the children okay," Christopher asks with great concern?
"That's part of the reason why I am here."
Christopher does not like the sound of that. He excuses himself so he and his wife can talk in private. They find an empty table where they can speak.
"Okay …so what the hell is going on with my children," Christopher asks, deeply concerned?
"They need their father home, Christopher," Valentine replies sternly.
"Val, I have to run a business."
"Your wife and children are your business too."
"What do you want me to do? Let my dream go under and focus on you?"
"Chris, you can keep the dream alive, but your children need their father, and I need my husband."
"So help me take the load."
"What do you mean?"
"Help me with the bar."
Valentine is getting frustrated.
"Oh, great! Now you want me to be an absentee parent too," Valentine said sarcastically, "I'm refuse to throw my children on someone to make a buck."
"I…I don't know. What is that you want me to do?"
"Hire a manager."
"Like who?"
"I don't know, Christopher! That is your job! This is your establishment. Therefore, it is your responsibility to find an eligible candidate who can take care of the bar when you are not here."
"This is not just my job, my establishment, and my responsibility. This is our job, our establishment, and our responsibility. Plus, you know how I feel about outsiders."
"What about Orchid? She's an outsider."
"Hey, I was reluctant to hire Orchid, but she proved to everyone she is "Newkirk" material."
"Look, Chris, I don't care who it is. My main concern is that this person gets the job done.
"Hey! How about Isham? He would be perfect."
"No way!"
"Why not?"
"Isham…Isham has some issues, and he is not telling me. He has been coming into work late or not coming into work without calling me. I'm beginning to think that he has no regard for the business."
"Maybe he is still in the morning over Nevin. He was Isham's best friend too."
"Val, I understand that, but once the door opens, we don't have time for that."
"What if you brought that to his attention? Maybe his performance will improve."
"I don't know, Val. I don't think…he is a potential candidate. Hell, I don't know about bringing in strangers on my payroll."
Valentine is disgusted by her husband. She feels she is talking to a brick wall. There is no getting through to him.
"You know what? I'm done with this conversation," she says, getting up from the table.
"Where are going," Christopher asks, stunned by her unexpected behavior.
"I'm going home to our children. They will have at least one parent home with them."
As Valentine walks away from Christopher, he keeps calling out to her, but she ignores him.
Isham unlocks the door to his apartment; he is relieved to finally be home. His legs and feet feel like pudding. He immediately turns on the ambient light of his living room and locks the door behind him. Isham is so tired, he staggers through the living room and into his bedroom. When he reaches the bedroom, he falls face-first onto his bed still dresses in his coat with his keys even in his hand. Isham let out a deep sigh. Not only due to exhaustion but also due to frustration because he knew he has to eventually take off his coat…at least. Isham looks up and sees the bathroom.
'Aawww, damn,' he thinks to himself, sucking his teeth, 'I am so beat…but I need to shower.'
Despite his exhaustion and frustration, he slowly forces himself to get undressed to take a shower. After undressing himself, he staggers into the bathroom and turns on the water in the bathtub. He turns on the hot water and cold water and then presses the lever down for a shower. Suddenly, the showerhead sprays a massive rain of water onto the bathroom walls and into the bathtub. He quickly closes the shower curtain to prevent the water from spraying all over the bathroom floor. Isham grabs a pair of boxers and an undershirt out of the drawer and lays them on the bed. He tosses them on the bed and goes to take his shower. After Isham gets into the tub, he lets water rain on his body, from head to toe. He then takes the soap and proceeds to lather his body.
His thoughts go to Orchid in all her beauty; it brings a warm feeling to his heart and arousal to his cock. He rubs it with his lathered hands and the bar of soap. Isham keeps rubbing…and rubbing…and rubbing, letting out animalistic moaning. Isham is hungry for more; he feels that the bar of soap hinders him from more self-gratification. Then he places the bar of soap down in the soap dish. The more Isham rubs, the more his arousal heightens. Isham grabs his soapy, massive member with his soapy hands and begins the jerk. Every jerk adds more and more pleasure throughout his whole body. The shower rains on his chest, causing the water to stream the soap away from his body, but Isham does not care. He is deep in the perversion of his lady love.
"Orchid," Isham says softly to himself, "Orchid…Orchid…mi reina, Orchid…"
Laced with his moaning, Isham continues to pleasure himself; he can feel that he is about to reach his climax. The moans of pleasure become stronger…and stronger…and stronger until he finally reaches his climax. He lets out an animalistic cry, as his rock-hard dick casts its creamy nectar on the tiled walls and the shower valve. The climax lets his body feel weak. So weak that his knees buckles but he can catch himself before he fell to the ground.
"Orchid…Orchid…Baby, I love you so much," Isham says to himself, as the water from the shower continues to rain on him.
The organism hit him so hard, he falls to his knees in the bathtub. His head hung low and he still holds his dick. He stays in the position for five to ten minutes. After that time, Isham can regain strength to turn off the water while he remains basking in his afterglow. He remains on his knees in the bathtub for a few more minutes until he regains his strength to get out of the bathtub. He grabs his towel and pats his body dry.
After hanging his towel to dry, he walks back into his bedroom. He goes for his white t-shirt and a pair of plaid boxers which are laid out on the bed. After getting dressed, Isham takes a look at himself in the mirror.
"I'm so disgusting," Isham says to himself, "I'm lusting Orchid…but she's so beautiful…NO! No…I don't a woman as good as her…or anyone woman…not after the horrible crime I did. I'm Nothing but a coward."
Isham is so disgusted with himself, he goes into his sock drawer and reaches for his stash he calls the "white horse"…
Isham had no idea a stranger was lurking in his apartment. It was a small, shapely figure. As Isham laid wrapped in his slumber, the stranger crept closer and closer to his bedside. It gave a soft sigh. It then bent down to give Isham a soft gentle kiss of his lips. With the stranger's soft sensual kiss, Isham awakened from his slumber. He slowly opened his eyes until he realized there was a silhouette of a stranger in his house. He swiftly leaped up from his bed and realized that everything was black, including the bathroom.
"Holy crap," Isham exclaimed, fumbling for the light switch of his lamp, "Who in blue heaven are you?"
When Isham turned on the light, he could not believe who was staring back at him. It was Orchid Willoughby, sitting on his bed. She looked like she fell from the heavens in a white, satin negligée. The light gave her a soft glow. Isham's anxiety allayed from the sight of her.
"Orchid…is…is that you," Isham asked in disbelief?
"Yes, my love."
"Oh baby," he said, embracing her in his arms, "You cannot imagine my happiness now."
"I can because I'm feeling the same way."
Her piercing green eyes locked on to his deep brown eyes. It was as if they were looking into the majesty of each other's souls; it was beautiful. So beautiful that they shared a soft kiss. The kiss was pure magic that opened a flood gate of their passion. Lips touched; tongues touched. Suddenly, Orchid pulled away from him. She left the bed and walk away. Isham was confused. Why was she suddenly walking away from Isham? However, Orchid did not go far. She walked to the foot of the bed and stood in front of him. Isham was still confused.
"Baby, what is wrong? Did I do something wrong?"
"No baby," she said, "I want to show you something."
Orchid unpeeled the straps on her shoulders and her white, satin negligee fell to the floor. There she stood naked. Isham can feel his body temperature get warmer from the sight of her. He abruptly took off his t-shirt and plaid boxer shorts. She slowly crawled onto the bed like an animal. She crawled closer…closer…closer to Isham. He was becoming more and more aroused. Orchid stood on all fours between Isham's legs. She was intrigued by the…object under the sheets.
"Wow. What is this," she asked, positioned on all fours between Isham's legs?
With curiosity and excitement, she slowly pulled the sheets back. Orchid revealed Isham's manhood, literally touching his navel. Her eyes grew bigger by the sight of it.
"It…it's so…Can I touch it?"
"You don't have to ask me to touch something that is yours."
Orchid's soft, supple hand gave her lover's manhood a simple; it slightly moved. She blushed.
"He likes you," Isham said with a coy smile, "How about…giving him a little kiss?"
She lowered her head to the shaft of Isham's dick and gave it a soft kiss. The kiss from her lips sent a tingling sensation throughout his body.
"What's the matter? Are you okay," Orchid asked?
"I have never been better. All I ask is from you is to not stop satisfying me and I will never stop satisfying you."
She shyly asked,"…could I…give him another kiss."
"I told you, baby. You don't have to ask me. It's yours."
Orchid kissed his manhood again…and …and again…until her kisses became licks. She licked it like a candy cane. Then she put his cock in her mouth. Her head bobbed up and down repeatedly on his cock.
"Ohhhh…Orchid. Mi amor…."
The touch of her soft lips around his cock took him to higher highs of ecstasy; it was driving him mad. She then consumed all of his manhood down her throat while her tongue licked his balls. He loved this feeling; his cock consumed Orchid's entire throat. He pulled her hair back in a ponytail to get a better look at his lover, orally pleasuring him. With his manhood still deep down her throat, Orchid's head bobbed up and down rapidly, making a slight gagging sound. It was music to Isham's ears.
"Look at me," he requested her.
Orchid's doe-like, green eyes looked up at Isham. He was pleased, especially when she had tears in her eyes.
"You're so pretty. You look so good like this."
Orchid continued to suck his dick. As Orchid's lips continued to taste him, Orchid's hands began to play with his jewels. His moans became louder and stronger.
Isham thought, "This is incredible. She is so good. If she keeps this up, I might cum in her mouth. No. I have to prolong this."
He could feel himself reaching his ultimate peak until he pulled her up to his lips. Isham kissed her passionately. Tongues and lips were in a frenzy with each other.
"Oh...Isham."
"My love…my love…"
The two lovers continued to engage in a passionate kiss. Isham arose to his knees and pulled Orchid close to him by her waist. Their hands began to explore each other's bodies, as the passion took them to their dizzy heights. He gently laid the young woman down on his bed and proceeded to climb on top of her. He stopped kissing her just to brush away the blonde curls from her face. Then he went back to kissing her lips again...then on her neck….upon her shoulder…between her breasts…onto her stomach...then he finally came upon her perfectly shaven pussy.
He did more than kiss her pussy; he tasted her pussy. Orchid let out a gasp. She could not believe someone had their mouth on her…petals…but it felt so good. It felt more than good; it felt intoxicating. The sensation made her body tingle and sent her mind to another place. Isham pulled Orchid closer to him by her thighs. He wanted to get more of the tastes of his lover. She could feel his tongue going up and down her walls and in and out of her pussy. Then he did the one thing that drove her insane…he began to suck her petals. Orchid let out a soft sigh. The feeling was so mind-blowing, she held tight to the sheets and locked her legs around his neck. Isham knew Orchid was enjoying this oral pleasure. He did not stop; he refused to stop; he continued to feast upon his lover's sweet nectar of her petals. Orchid let out continuous sighs. She loved getting it as much as he loved giving it. She could feel herself reaching her peak but suddenly he stopped. He stood on his knees with his manhood standing proudly. He lubed it along with her petals and slid it slowly inside her.
The feel of it inside her pussy forced Orchid to let out a cry of ecstasy. She could feel Isham going deeper and deeper inside her. Isham grabbed onto her thighs and thrust repeatedly inside her. She felt so warm and tight. It feels so good, he wanted more and more. The thrust grew faster and harder to the point, Orchid's breasts bounced up and down. They made sweet, angelic music with their sighs, moans, and pillow talk. The more she begged, the more he gave it to her.
"Don't want to stop, baby," Isham said to Orchid, "I don't want to stop."
"Please, baby," Orchid replied, "It's so good."
"I know…I know…I know…I…know…"
The thrusts grew into excessive pounding. The sex was so intense that Isham and Orchid were like two wild animals consumed with animalistic lust for each other.
"Please….please…please….," Orchid cried out repeatedly.
The pounding was incredible; he did not want to stop but he felt his peak rising.
"I can't hold it anymore. I'm going to come. I'm going to come."
"Yes," she said, "Give it to me. Bless me. I want you to bless me."
"I…I…I....I...….."…
…The following morning, Isham still lays asleep. He lays sprawled on the bed with the sheets practically off the bed. He then turns on his stomach and hugs his pillow tightly. Suddenly, he wakes up from his slumber to the sound of a jackhammer, drilling into the concrete. Isham wants to go back to sleep but the loud, jackhammering sound will not allow it; he is a little bit annoyed. His eyes slowly begin to open. Isham slowly turns and sits up in his bed, rubbing his eyes. Then he takes a moment to contemplate on…last night.
'Damn, that dream seemed so real,' Isham thinks to himself.
Besides the usual "morning wood", he looks down at his boxers and realizes something incredibly weird.
'What the…,' Isham thinks to himself, 'did I…Did I cum in my sleep?'
He is dumbfounded. Still feeling sleepy, he can get out of bed and walk towards his window. He peeks between the blinds to find the jackhammer which rudely awakes him but he cannot find it. However, the calm glow of the morning sun, rising in the distance, gives the city skyline a serene look which made Isham gather his thoughts, Orchid…and his horrendous mistake….
'Who am I fooling,' Isham thinks to himself, 'I don't deserve a woman like Orchid. She would make a wonderful wife and mother…and I'll still be a loser. What a dream? What a beautiful dream? I dreamt of love-making with my dream girl. Is that my sentence for my crime? Can it be that…I can only dream of love but never experience it in reality?'
This thought depresses him. He hangs his head down and begins to weep. His depression takes him to a feeling of defeat. He falls to his knees and continues to weep.
"I give anything to turn the hands of time. I should have been a man and not a coward…I am a coward. I am a coward…the horse. I need to ride the white horse. Then I'll feel better. Yeah. I have to get ready for work…whatever. Chris will give me a pass. He always gives me a pass."
Isham stands up and goes into his dresser drawer, as he wipes his tears.
Days later, January makes another attempt to make another phone call to Braganza's residence. Every time she calls, she always receives the same message: The number you dialed is no longer in service.
Thinking that perhaps she is misdialing the number, she tries calling again and again but January soon realizes it is too late; the number is changed…
…Zora found herself in the middle of a dance floor. She looked around and she was surrounded by large arched windows. Suddenly, she heard a voice call out, "Soniye." When Zora heard that voice and she turned around and saw a tall, dark figure, walking towards her. It was Anton, emerging from the darkness.
"Hello, my Soniye."
"Anton…Tony, I miss you so much…," Zora said as she embraced her ex-boyfriend.
They held each other for a long time. When they eventually released their embrace, she began to cry.
"Tony, I…I'm so sorry. I should have told you---"
"The past has passed," he interrupted, gently placing his hands on her stomach, "Our love is complete and it will grow in time."
Zora was happy with Anton's reaction to the pregnancy.
"Come, join me at this dance," Anton insisted, as he gently took her hand to the dance floor.
Out of nowhere, DeBarge began singing, "A Dream." They danced in each other's arms. The music took them to another world. Zora felt she was home in her former lover's arms again. His strong, masculine arms wrapped her body tight...and tighter. Zora was in love again.
"I don't ever want to leave your side again," Zora said.
Suddenly, the grip became loose…and looser…and looser.
"Anton, where are you going," Zora asked.
Anton said nothing. He backed away from Zora with sadness until he faded into the darkness.
"Come back, Anton…come back…," Zora cried out to Anton.
He never returned.
She cried and she cried.
"Please, Anton. Come back to me. I cannot do this by myself," Zora said through her tears.
Then, she felt someone touch her shoulder. Zora quickly turned around with a smile on her face.
"Anton…Jabari? What are you doing here? Where's Anton?"
"I don't know but I'm here. I will always be there for you. You are my friend and…I hope we can be more…"
"Jabari…I…don't know what to say."
"Say you'll dance with me."
Jabari put his hand out to Zora. She was hesitant at first but she eventually took his hand. They went further into the dance floor and out of nowhere, "Troop" began to sing, "All I Do Is Think of You." With hesitation, they held each other, as they danced. However, as the band played, Jabari let the music talk to his soul; it summed up his feelings to Zora. He then held her close…but she did not resist. They were friends but…something about Jabari's embrace made her feel safe and loved. Zora returned the warm embrace, as they continued to dance. Zora pressed her cheek on his chest. The music took over their sense of hearing, their scent took over each other's sense of smell, and their embrace took over their sense of touch. Every element attacked their souls, causing euphoria. At that moment she was his queen, he was her king…
…Zora begins to wake from her slumber. She happens to hear the ending of that same song she danced with Jabari. She looks at her radio; Zora is bewildered. However, something told her to go into the kitchen. She leaps out of her bed and goes towards the kitchen. Meanwhile, January is so frustrated, that she slams the phone down on the base. January shakes her head with disbelief. She cannot believe it; now, there is no way to get in contact with them. She sits at the dining room table, feeling very discouraged. January pounders about the entire situation; her daughter who is still fairly young, unmarried, and pregnant with no help and support from the father's family. It is not long until hopelessness and helplessness subside her.
So, January does the only thing she can do…fold her hands a pray.
"Dear Lord," January begins to pray, "I don't have to tell you my troubles. All I ask from you is to give me strength for my daughter…myself…and most of all…my unborn grandchild. Zora is scared. I am scared…Jason, I don't know if I can get through this. I…I wish you were here. I don't know what to do. I miss you so much…."
Suddenly, Zora emerges from her bedroom and finds her mother, sitting at the dining room table. January has her head down on the table; she cries and cries.
"Mommy," Zora asks, gently placing her hand on her mother's shoulder, "Are you okay?" January's head abruptly leaps up from the table. Her face is still saturated from her tears, she prays for her daughter not to see her in that state.
"Um…yeah, baby," January replies, "Were you asleep?"
"Yeah," Zora replies, "I must have been really tired. Are you okay?"
Zora yawns rubbing her eyes. Meanwhile, January rises from the dining room chair and walks towards the wall hurriedly wiping her tears. January feels like her heart is breaking because her chest is hurting her, too.
"…oh. Does Tony know about the baby?"
"No, mommy," Zora replies in a slightly low voice.
Zora notices that her mother is acting very strange. Perhaps upset about something.
"Mommy, are you crying," Zora asks?
"Oh no! My eyes are a bit irritated but I'll be fine," January lies.
January takes a deep breath.
"Well...it does not matter if that boy knows about the pregnancy or not…it looks like we are on our own," January concludes.
"What do you mean?"
She turns to her daughter and says, "…We are not going to get any cooperation from Anton and his family. So…it looks like it's going to be up to us to take care of the baby. ADOPTION IS OUT OF THE QUESTION! I will not have my grandchild lost in the system. He or she is our blood and we do not abandon family!"
"Yes, ma'am."
"It's going to be difficult but we will make it work. If you want to continue with college, that's fine but you have to transfer to another school."
"…ok…," Zora says sadly.
"I am so sorry darling but you know the rules. Holy Chalice does not allow single parents to attend their school, especially those who are unmarried and pregnant. If you were married, you could stay there. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Now, we have to move forward."
"Yes, mommy. I'm sorry. I am so sorry," says Zora, as she hangs her head down in shame.
January realizes that her frustration was towards a young girl who was young, scared, and learning the facts of life the hard way.
"Now, calm down, baby," January says.
She walks towards her daughter and holds Zora in her arms.
"It's going to be okay. We have to get through this storm," January assures Zora.