31. Michael
On the way to my brother’s suite, my mother stops me just beyond the garden. Away from everyone.
“Michael, son. I’m going to be very upfront with you right now. And you have to understand that I’m coming from a place of love for you.”
I roll my eyes and sigh, “What mother? You don’t approve of Libby?”
“Honey, I wouldn’t approve of anyone who would be so loose with her morals. You understand the kind of girl you’re dating Michael. She’s…” She shakes her head. “She’s the kind of woman that would hurt you and not think twice.”
“Ma, we are grown adults. I really don’t need you telling me who I can and cannot date.”
“I know that, Michael, which is why I need you to understand why I’m telling you this.”
“What did Libby do that is so unforgivable mother?”
She shakes her head. “That woman has the Jezebel spirit, Michael. She will take down everything this family has ever built. And she’ll use her good looks to do it.”
“How are you so sure?”
“Because, she’s the reason your brother rebelled. He almost lost his salvation because of that woman.”
“Ma, enough. I’m not going to have you talk about my girlfriend like this. You’re going to have to accept Libby as my girl, in the same way you accept Lillian as Jonah’s.”
“It’s not the same thing. And you should’ve never brought that woman around here.”
“Lillian invited her, first. And it’s her wedding,” I say, raising my voice.
“And that was unwise of her to do so. She’s let a wolf into the chicken coop.”
I put my hands out. “I’m not listening to any more of this. If this is how you’re going to be about Libby then I’m out,” I undo my bow tie. And rip it off, turning back to where I left Libby.
“Michael you come back here,” my mother says, walking brusquely behind me. “Michael Ferguson, how dare you disrespect your mother.”
I turn to face her, “You disrespect the mother of my child, then you won’t have anything to do with me or your grandchild.”
Mother stops like she was just met with the force of a brick wall. “Grandchild?” She screams. “You mean to tell me that harlot is pregnant with your child?”
“Don’t you dare call her that!” I roar.
“I will not have my son gallivanting with a whore. I refuse to let her trap another one of my son’s with a baby.”
Guests are halting their conversations to watch us. I feel their eyes on me.
I look around to see Libby and my father just a few feet behind us. Libby’s eyes are lined with tears and she’s shaking her head.
Then what my mother just said registers. “Another… baby? Mother what are you talking about?”
I hear Libby sobbing as she runs down the aisle and toward the parking lot. Her lavender dress blowing behind her.
Just as I’m about to chase after her, my father’s heavy hand lands on my shoulder to stop me.
“Enough,” he says to us both. “We talk about this inside.”
My mother scoffs.
“Constance, inside. Now.”
My father is not an aggressive man. But the way he just commanded us has both me and my mother following orders.
We march to Jonah’s suite, a separate small cottage near the gardens.
And I type out a quick text to Libby.
Me
Wait for me.
My father opens the door and Jonah’s groomsmen all stand at once.
“Out,” my father orders.
“What’s going on?” Jonah says, near the fireplace at the end of the room.
“Everyone out. I need to speak to my family. Alone.”
The men shuffle out and we step inside.
“What baby?” I repeat.
Jonah drops his glass and it shatters at his feet.
“You told him?” Jonah says looking to our mother.
“Told me what?” I say, my eyes volleying between them.
My mother just shakes her head. “She’s going to ruin him just like she tried to ruin you.”
Jonah looks at me. “You’re… with Libby?”
The look on his face is one of utter betrayal. “Jo, yes. I’m with Libby.”
He opens his mouth about to say something and then closes it.
“And she told you?” He asks me.
“Told me what?”
“Libby was pregnant with his child, just before they broke up,” my mother says. “She’s doing the exact same thing she did with your brother. Using you for your status.”
Jonah doesn’t say anything.
“Is that true, Jo?”
He looks to my mother who gives him a stern look. “Don’t.”
Jonah breaks down. “I didn’t want to do it.”
“Do what, Jo?”
“Jonah, stop it,” mother cries out.
“I didn’t want to drive her there. She didn’t want it either.”
“Constance, what is he talking about?” My father asks behind me.
My mother tugs her sheer shawl closer to her body. “I had him do the only thing that made since. To protect him from her. To protect our family from her.”
“You… made Libby get an abortion?” Jonah looks tortured but he nods.
“And you forced him to do it,” I point to my mom.
“I did, what I had to do. To protect us,” she cries out.
I shake my head. “I can’t believe you. You stand there, every Sunday and proclaim mercy and compassion and all the while you forced an eighteen year old girl to do something she didn’t want to do!”
My mother opens her mouth but it’s my father’s voice that rings out. “What have you done, woman!?”
“She would’ve ruined him, Dan. Then what would’ve become of your precious church. Tell me, what would’ve happened?”
“I can’t… I can’t believe this.” I back away from them.
“Michael,” my mom cries out.
“Enough, Constance. You leave that boy alone,” I hear my dad shout.
I run as fast as I can to get to Libby. To hold her. I had no idea what my family had done. And my heart is breaking for the woman I love.
But when I get to the car. She’s not there.
I open my texts.
Me
Libby. Please, where are you?