On Sunday morning, Talise felt like she picked up another pound and inch overnight as she dressed for work at the airport. She reflected on the shopping adventure with Sandra for maternity clothes.
Sandra raved about a bronze-colored, sleeveless dress. “Don’t look at the price tag. Do you like it or not?” She held up the garment on the hanger.
“It’s nice if I had somewhere special to wear it.” After spying the price, Talise gritted her teeth. “Besides, it’s out of my price range anyway.” She had set an allowance and wasn’t budging.
“Well, it’s not out of mine. You can wear it when you go out on a hot dinner date or to church,” she teased and scrunched her nose. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Talise snickered. “Then you’d better save your money. No one wants to date a pregnant woman. Plus, I work on Sundays, remember?”
“Humph. God is in control of your life and schedule.”
She sighed. “And that’s a little scary for me right now. I feel like I’m walking around blindfolded. I have no idea what to expect.”
Sandra perused the sales racks and tables. Talise gasped at the price of a good maternity bra. She would rather use her money on a pair of shoes that would give her better support.
“Do you have one?” Sandra lifted another maternity bra.
“I think I can hold off a little while longer. I need to stop by the shoe department before I leave.”
Sandra eyed her chest and then the table. She guessed Talise’s size and then searched through the assortment. Talise’s mouth dropped open. The woman was making her feel like a charity case.
“That’s too big.”
“You’ll fit into it.”
God whispered, Let her bless you.
He immediately reminded her of the passages in the Book of Ruth. She resolved not to put up any more objections, so Sandra bought the purchases and Talise accepted. Next, they headed to the shoe department. Sandra offered to pay for those too, but this time Talise refused. She pulled out the hundred dollar bill Priscilla had given her and handed it to the clerk at the register.
As she recalled that experience, another Scripture came to mind. I will supply your every need according to My riches in Glory. It surprised her when she remembered reading the words from Philippians 4:19. Talise found herself marveling at the truth of God’s Word and how it was applying to her life in a real way. Wasn’t God using people to meet her needs? Both Sandra and Priscilla had blessed her, and she had no doubt He had something to do with it.
Sinclaire had prayed that God would put people in her path and Talise was beginning to see them. Although she wasn’t near welfare assistance level, saving money was an issue. Being a single mother was new territory for her. She had no idea what financial state she would be in when the baby arrived. If she worked, there would be day care expenses. If she stayed at home, bills had to be paid. It was starting to look more like a move back to Virginia was in her future.
Talise cleared her mind of worrying about the future. She ate breakfast, got dressed, and thanked God for her new fashionable shoes with better support. They were definitely worth the money. And Sandra had been right. The bra did fit after all.
After applying her makeup, she headed off to work. On the way, her mind returned to the issue of money. Her father had been faithfully sending her funds. Twice, he added a bit more, but her expenses would skyrocket when her baby was born. She tried to figure out ways to be more frugal.
At work, Talise walked from the parking garage to the terminal with a slight pep in her step. Once she cleared the employee security check in, she smiled when she saw Gabrielle at the ticket counter. This time her supervisor was working in Kendall’s place.
“Hey, Gabrielle, what are you doing here?”
“Kendall’s off on her Alaskan cruise, so you’re stuck with me, if that’s okay.” She smiled and scrunched her nose.
“Sounds like fun to me,” Talise said, putting her things away and then logging on.
The Sunday morning airline traffic was light and the two made small talk in between customers. Talise watched Gabrielle’s face light up every now and then. Several families paraded the terminal in their Sunday best. It looked as if they were heading to church as soon as the plane landed at their destination.
When Gabrielle wasn’t looking, Talise scrutinized her hair: thick, thick, and thick. Talise was glad she didn’t have to detangle it. Physically, Gabrielle had the legs men always noticed, along with her other assets. Personality wise, Talise’s friend and coworker downplayed her intellect and beauty.
That was most endearing and made her wonder what her own assets would look like once she delivered her baby.
“You’re glowing today. Did your boyfriend take you out last night?”
“I got some rest. Plus, I’m single again.”
“Do you mind me asking if it was mutual?”
“Let’s just say, I never saw it coming,” Talise said, before they both turned to someone approaching them.
“They must save the pretty ladies for the weekend,” a male passenger flirted when he stepped up to their counter. Peering through quarter-pounder thick glass lenses, the man appeared old enough to be someone’s great grandfather.
Gabrielle giggled. “We’re here to make sure you get to your destination on time. How can I help you?”
After the crowd diminished at their counter, Gabrielle revisited Talise’s taboo topic. Actually, she welcomed the discussion with someone who was unbiased. Lois couldn’t make up her mind if she was looking out for her best interest, or simply ready to release revenge on a Jamieson.
“Break-ups are hard, especially if it’s one-sided.” She held up her hand. “I’m not saying it’s this, but sometimes God has to work out the kinks in a man.”
It was on the tip of Talise’s tongue to say it was too late for her and Ace, but she didn’t interrupt.
“Men have baggage just like women. Once they’re willing to unpack it, God can fill them with His wisdom, His power, and a fire for Him. That’s the kind of man worthy of a woman’s love.”
Nodding, Talise leaned on the counter. She looked away and watched as passengers headed in their various directions. “That sounds so beautiful and encouraging, but I don’t believe a word of it.”
They laughed. “I have three wonderful brothers. I’ve been taught well,” Gabrielle explained.
“I wish I had brothers, but I have a great sister who I miss hanging out with.” She straightened her body. “Oh, I need a potty break. Can you handle it?”
“Go while the coast is clear.” Gabrielle shooed her.
Hurrying away, Talise couldn’t believe how much of a difference her new shoes made. While in the restroom, she examined her face. Her skin was still flawless, but her face was starting to fill out around the cheekbones. What would people say once they learned she was dumped and pregnant?
“Did you read this email?” Gabrielle asked when Talise returned.
“What email?”
“Southwest is cutting back. The president says it’s in response to the struggling economy. She read, ‘We, at Southwest Airlines, are restructuring our goals and priorities. To avoid a massive lay off, effective immediately, it is necessary for every employee to …”
Talise didn’t wait for Gabrielle to finish. She hastily tapped on her keyboard, searching for the company’s Outlook mail. Talise scanned the email and continued reading, “‘Scale the work week to thirty-two hours. This furlough will remain in effect until further notice. Thank you for your sacrifice. Please advise your immediate supervisor of your preference for which day you would like off.’ Oh, no,” she said, deflated.
Sniffing, Talise prayed that she wasn’t about to lose it. She couldn’t handle a crying spell at work.
“I know. Since I’m in management, I’ve heard the rumors for months. I guess they decided to go through with it. I’ve been hoping they wouldn’t. Don’t think this doesn’t affect management. Who do you think is supposed to pick up the slack? I’ve been contemplating a career change lately. The airline industry has run its course in my veins,” Gabrielle confided. “Please don’t repeat that last part.”
Talise bobbed her head and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Why did it seem like a bad day always follows a good day? She dabbed her eyes with her finger.
Gabrielle smiled and attempted to console her. “It’s good that you already have a part time job at the salon to help pick up the slack.”
“I have rent and expenses to split with my roommate.”
“Yes, the South End is pricey. Well, at least you don’t have any small ones to feed.”
“I’m pregnant,” Talise whispered.
Forming an O with her mouth, Gabrielle was speechless. Her eyes darted to Talise’s stomach and then back to her face. She nodded when the realization seemed to hit.
“When I noticed your weight loss and then a slight gain, I thought you were suffering with some kind of gland disorder. I started praying for you. Then today you walked in here glowing. I thought everything was okay.”
“I’m sure rumors have been circulating about me.”
“I stay away from rumors. They have a tendency to cloud a person’s opinion of others and that could cause me to cast judgment.”
Talise listened in awe. Could a person be that neutral? She frowned. “That sounds impossible. How can you do that? Rumors about my baby’s father have made my life miserable, but without those rumors I would have nothing to go on. It’s not like he’s been upfront with me.”
“There’s a wise saying and it happens to come from the Bible: ‘In all your getting, get an understanding.’ Is there any way you and your boyfriend can come to an understanding?” Gabrielle gave a hopeful look.
“That would be too much like the right thing to do. It’s too hurtful for me to talk to Ace, especially in my condition. He seems so cold and I can’t bear his chilly attitude.” She twisted her lips. “Anyway, I have a more pressing matter. I’ll need to make up for the lost income.”
She worked the rest of her shift on autopilot. That evening, back at her apartment, Talise was heavy in thought when Lois came home, dumped her keys and purse, and headed to her bedroom.
Sitting in the bay window seat in the front room brought back memories for Talise. She would wait there and watch for Ace’s Charger to pull up. That spot always made her feel like a damsel locked in a tower, and the only person who could rescue her was Ace.
She spoke to Lois and continued to stare out the window. So far, she had yet to come up with a way to cut more corners on her living expenses. Refusing to touch the thousands of dollars that had accumulated from Ace’s winnings on the boat, Talise had designated that money as his one-time child support payment.
Lois came back to the living room, wrapped in a bathrobe. “Hey, you feel like going out tonight? We haven’t done that in a long time, and—”
“We need to talk,” Talise cut her off.
“What’s wrong? Is the baby okay? Are you okay?” Lois went into panic mode, as Talise advised her to have a seat.
“I’m in trouble—financially. My day job is cutting back hours to keep from laying off workers.” She tsked. “I’ve already cut back my client load at the salon. Talk about bad timing.”
Lois didn’t interrupt, as Talise gnawed on her lip, thinking.
“Daddy’s already been sending me money. I’d feel guilty asking for more to meet the high cost of living here. I’ve thought about moving back home until I have the baby.”
“There’s no way you’re going back to Virginia, not after you’ve complained about your evil stepmother’s lack of sensitivity and charisma.”
Rolling her eyes, Talise corrected her, “Please refer to Donna as my father’s wife. And I didn’t call her evil.”
“And you didn’t say she was nice either. I haven’t met her, but I can’t stand her already.”
“You’ve got to get over this obsessive, compulsive disorder against people.”
“Maybe. I happen to enjoy holding a grudge, just for the fun of it. We’ll figure something out. Don’t go getting desperate on me,” Lois advised. “I guess we’re both staying in tonight.”
For the next few hours, they lounged in the living room, brainstorming. “I guess it’s too late to take your clients back from other stylists, huh?”
Shaking her head, Talise answered, “Besides treating them like a yo-yo, standing on my feet is taxing, even with comfortable shoes. I guess I can find a sit down job to supplement my lost income at the airlines.”
Lois worked her neck and lifted a brow. “Three jobs? Your hormones are already out of whack. That ain’t happening. I’ll think of something.” She stood and stretched. “In the meantime, do you want to watch some movies, or the TLC channel?”
“No, I’m going to email Sinclaire to see if we can Skype.” Whenever Talise’s judgment was cloudy, which always seemed to be the case since she learned she was having a baby, she depended on Sinclaire to think with clarity.
Before the night was over, Talise was staring into her computer, video chatting with her sister.
“I feel like I’m on family and friend welfare. I hate to say it, but going back to Virginia is starting to sound more appealing,” Talise said, hoping to talk herself into it.
“Nah, I just don’t think that’s a healthy situation for you and the baby. It’s not like Donna welcomed us with open arms when she married Dad. She tolerates us because of him.” Sinclaire glanced over her shoulder and spoke to someone behind her.
“Sorry. Anyway, how Daddy didn’t see through Donna’s fake façade baffles me … Ooh,” Talise complained and held her stomach.
“What’s wrong?”
After catching her breath, she smiled. “Your niece or nephew just kicked me.”
Sinclaire laughed. “I hope it’s a girl. That way she can ditch the name Jamieson when she gets married.”
“She won’t have it at all. I’m not putting Ace’s name on the birth certificate.”