On the next business day, Ace went apartment hunting. Before the week ended, he had narrowed down his choices to a two-bedroom townhouse with a washer and dryer hookup—an amenity, according to the manager.
Without blinking, he laid down the first and last’s month deposit. Most of that money came from the company’s relocation assistance. Of course, Ace decided to stay in Florissant to be nearby, but far enough away to keep the Jamiesons’ clan out of his business.
Ace paused for a second and smiled. One thing Boston had that couldn’t be found in St. Louis was Ace’s fully-loaded and upgraded Dodge Charger. Ever since he returned his rental, he had been driving his brother’s second car. Before he gave Kidd back his vehicle, Ace would see if his company would supply him with a temporary car.
At the moment, he missed his Charger but had to be patient. His plan was to return to Boston and retrieve his dream car once Talise’s name had faded into the background.
For the time being, he was quite pleased with himself. Walking through Kidd’s door with a grin on his face, Ace planned to tell his brother and his sweet-and-sour little wife of his good news. The couple was sitting in the kitchen having dinner.
“Hey,” he greeted, and they returned his greeting. Ace nodded and then headed to the bathroom to wash his hands. He debated whether he wanted to eat alone or share his good news at the dinner table. Why not? He thought. It would be the last time the three of them would break bread in the same house.
A few minutes later, he joined them at the table. Mmmm-mmm-mmm. Ace sure was going to miss Eva’s cooking, even if she was scary. He wasn’t quite sure he could blame that on her pregnancy.
It appeared as though Kidd and Eva were waiting on him. They had finished eating but remained at the table, silently watching him eat. Now what did he do? This better not be something connected with Talise. Ignoring their subdued expressions, Ace kept eating.
“Humph. That was good.” He patted his stomach. “I’m going to miss this when I’m gone.”
Getting up, Ace returned to the stove for a second helping of mac-and-cheddar cheese, baked chicken, and broccoli pasta. Ready to make his announcement, he started, “I found a real cool townhouse not far from here, and I’m movi—”
“We need you to stay,” Kidd’s voice was flat, cutting him short.
Whirling around, Ace frowned. “Excuse me? Why? I thought you two would have church once the door closed behind me.”
“Nah.” Kidd fanned his hands in the air. “We’ll have church when you answer God’s calling on your life.”
“That may take a while.” Retaking his seat, Ace shoved more food into his mouth and shook his head. “So don’t put on your dancing shoes.”
“Bro, you may not be ready to be a father, but I am. Eva went to the doctor this morning, and …” He paused.
Eva’s eyes misted. Suddenly, the strong, sassy, full of attitude woman was gone. Her expression was worrisome.
“She’s spotting. I don’t want her to lose our baby. The doctor wants her on bed rest as much as possible for the next month or so.”
Although Ace swallowed, his food was stuck. “Regardless of the big, bad wolf you think I am, Eva,” he managed to say, “I’m so sorry. I would never disrespect you.”
“You’re right,” Kidd said, without cracking a smile. “You wouldn’t live to tell about it.”
“But you would disrespect the woman who is carrying your child,” she mumbled.
“Babe?” Kidd intervened.
“I’m somewhat sorry,” she confessed, “but I’ll be really sorry, if you don’t make up with Talise.
“Babe?” Kidd repeated and squeezed her hand.
Eva covered her mouth. “Must be my hormones talking.”
“Ace, you know we’ve got each other’s back—and I need yours right now. I hope you’ll stay if my wife promises to behave and bridle her tongue.” Then, looking directly at Eva, Kidd chided her with a voice of authority, “James 1:26 tells all the saints, ‘If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”’ To that, he added with a confident grin, “And we do consider our faith worth everything. We promise we won’t interfere in your personal matters.”
Reluctantly, Eva nodded, as Kidd eyed her for confirmation.
Ace grinned. “I thought you were going to pull out that Scripture that tells wives to obey their husbands.”
“Ephesians 5:22 says, ‘Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.’ And I do love, respect, and submit to my husband. That’s my responsibility,” Eva checked him.
Kidd looked tenderly at his wife and sighed. “It’s an even exchange, bro, because verse 25 is aimed at me: ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,”’ he quoted. “That’s easy.” Kidd leaned over and brushed a kiss against Eva’s cheek.
Maintaining his poker face, Ace experienced a moment of longing. He always brushed a kiss against Talise’s lips like that.
“Anyway,” Kidd continued, “our doctor says if a woman is going to miscarry, 80 percent of them usually miscarry during the first twelve weeks. Eva’s beginning her ninth week now.”
Eighty percent chance? It’s that high? Ace swallowed, as his mind drifted to Talise again. If she was pregnant, was she spotting? Would she lose the baby?
Kidd kept talking. “During the next two months after that, it’s still a ten to twenty percent possibility …”
More questions bombarded Ace’s mind. Was Talise in danger? Their baby—did he just say their baby? His baby? Wait a minute. He wasn’t falling for anybody’s guilt trip.
“Since you telecommute three days a week, I’m hoping you won’t mind sticking around here on those days and checking on Eva while I’m at work,” Kidd asked, breaking into Ace’s reverie.
Me? Babysit a pregnant woman? Is Kidd crazy? Ace left Boston to get away from one.