Unexpected News
Annabelle was out with Luke, and at home were them waiting for dinner. The preparations to incorporate the boy to the "tribe", according to the name given by Cristelle, seemed to move forward due to his willingness to be part of it.
“He's an easy prey.” Argued Federico. “Lucas is all alone in the city so a home where he finds also a girlfriend is a strong temptation.”
“Do you speak from experience?” Asked Cristelle.
“Of course.”
The woman gave Federico a gentle push in response to his sarcasm.
“Whiny.”
“I am not complaining. I do not regret at all being here.
Chantal appeared in the courtyard, which even with the arriving fall remained the meeting place of the group who lived in the house.
“I'm worried about the lateness of Anabelle. She should have returned at six, and it's almost eight.”
“Give them some space to be together.” Said Federico. “If in half an hour she hasn´t returned you call her cell phone.”
At that time key noise was heard and the couple appeared at the house door.
“I'm sorry ... it´s a bit late.” Said Anabelle somewhat troubled.
“Something wrong?” Asked her sister.
“Nothing, nothing... everything is fine.” Answered as she went to her room.
“Do not worry, she looks very good.” Said Federico.
“I think I know what´s going on.” Whispered Cristelle in the boy´s ear. “I´ll be right back.” She went out in search of the girl.
After a while the woman returned and took Federico by the arm to one end of the yard.
“They´ve been in a hotel by the hour.” Whispered Cristelle.” The girl is excited and a little embarrassed. She asked me not to discuss it with Chantal.”
“I do not see why so much fuss. She had sex with the boy, as simple as that.”
“Anabelle was a virgin, today is an important day for her.”
“Well, at least we know that her first time was with a good boy. I hope they have taken precautions.”
“I asked her. They did take precautions.”
“I see you're able to get any confidence. Well, Anabelle and boy are being added to the mix of Lucas´ statistics. They are now already 50% of the population plus two.”
“You take everything in jest. I would like to scratch your face.” Answered Cristelle in pretended anger.
“As long you do not have a bamileke machete in your hands there´s no problem.”
“You're the extreme opposite to the girls end. They take all of the tremendous, and you do not take anything seriously.”
“Cristelle. I do not think it´s a drama if nowadays a girl about twenty years old with Anabelle´s sexual fire has lost her virginity to a good boy. Rather a release of taboos.”
During dinner, after Chantal and Anabelle served food the table talk was widespread. At one point Lucas addressed all in a serious tone.
We wanted to inform you that Anabelle and I are fiancés.”
“How formal! Here we have already taken it for granted.” After saying this Federico received a kick under the table from Cristelle. She took the initiative and said.
“I think it's wonderful. Thank you very much for sharing the news with us. We wish you well.”
Lourdy in a fit of enthusiasm exclaimed.
“All the best for Anabelle and Lucas.”
Cristelle and Chantal got up and kissed Anabelle on the cheek and Federico had no choice but to shake hands with his friend and kiss the girl.
Anabelle rose and overcoming her shyness said.
“We wanted also to ask you if next week Lucas can move in to live in this house. He would stay in my room.”
“The thing moves fast.” Federico whispered in Cristelle´s ear, while all eyes were directed to Chantal who unexpectedly became the center of attention.
“I suppose it is all right.” Said she resignedly in a small voice.
After Lucas left, Cristelle approached Anabelle's room, passed a hand over her hair and asked her confidentially.
“How was your meeting with boyfriend´s mother in Arrecifes? How did she take the news that her child dates a black girl?”
“Very well. She is an open-minded person. As Lucas told us his mother is an anthropologist. We rode in her car throughout the area, and introduced me to all the family friends. I also met his father, who is divorced and lives in the country, and he wished us well.”
“I'm glad for you. You do not deserve any less.”
Chantal had missed lunch that Saturday, and had locked herself in her room. Federico was walking around the yard and circumstantially passed through her bedroom door and thought he heard moans.
"She is crying. Will she start with depression again?"
As the idea obsessed him he decided to talk to Cristelle who promised to take care of the issue.
A couple of hours later the African woman called Federico and asked him to accompany her to Chantal´s bedroom.
“She has something to tell us.”
On entering the room they saw the girl sitting on the bed with a desolate expression on her face. Her red eyes clearly testified she had been crying. Cristelle addressed her and said dryly.
“Well, here we are together. Tell us what happens to you.”
The girl stared at Cristelle, then turned her eyes to Federico. She tried to speak but her voice failed her on the first try. Chantal cleared her throat, then said.
“I'm pregnant.”
The man felt that his legs slackened and sat on the bed. Cristelle remained imperturbable standing on foot. All eyes turned to her.
“Have you confirmed it?”
“Yes. I've done the test twice. And the absence of menstruation had already alarmed me.”
Cristelle stayed silent for a moment as everyone waited for her reaction. Federico recalled that she was always the one who made all the decisions and this was an important one.
She finally said.
“I must say at the outset that in recent days I was suspecting something. I will not insult you by asking who the father is as we all know. Nor will I allow you to cut your pregnancy. Whatever the consequences are you must go on. I do not blame you because in fact I envisaged that this could happen sooner or later but wished it did not happen. I'm devastated but I'm happy for you because I know you loved Federico from the first time I brought him to our apartment.”
Then she turned to the man.
“You will probably think you cannot sleep with a black woman without finding out the next day you're going to be a father. I love you with all my heart but it would not be decent for any of us if you were still by my side. I do not even ask you to make a decision between Chantal and me, as there is a child on the way and he should have absolute priority. You must leave my bedroom and ask Chantal if she agrees to receive you in hers. In that case Lourdy should go to the fourth bedroom we use as a workplace. Otherwise you can occupy it.”
Chantal and Federico bowed their heads. Finally the Haitian looked at Cristelle with tearful eyes and said.
“We do not deserve you. You're too good for us.”
“Silly stuff. Now let me go to my room, I need to mourn alone.”