Chapter Thirty-Four
Melonie
M y parents agreed to take the train from Philadelphia to Boston for the weekend. They arrived yesterday, but opted to see friends their first night in town and said they would see me Saturday for dinner.
I’m standing in front of the mirror in my bathroom, curling my last few strands of hair, when Linc arrives. We thought it would be best to go to the restaurant together. I rarely have anxious moments in life, but tonight my nerves are shot, hands are shaking, and I just want this night to be over.
My parents have always been loving; my siblings and I always had what we needed. My father is still practicing law, and my mother never worked a day of their marriage. I grew up a daddy’s girl, my logical mind connecting with his, but my mother and I usually butted heads, and she sometimes found me problematic. I—the girl who never got detention, got straight A’s, and got into a good college—caused the worst teenage angst-filled arguments. It was never really about my behavior. When I was a teen and in college, our disagreements would stem from how we viewed the world and how women should move through it.
With a weekly housekeeper and no career, my mother had a lot of time on her hands. She filled it with church, women’s groups and bible studies. While I believe in God and heaven, my views don’t necessarily align with my mothers. She lived what she called “biblical womanhood.” A woman should serve her husband and family, have babies, and work behind the scenes of the church. I know some women thrive in that lifestyle, and I would never judge another’s chosen path in life, but it was never for me. I wanted a career before marriage and children, wanted to be fulfilled with friends, family, and self-love before joining with a man for the rest of my life.
Now, I will sit across a table from her and tell her that not only am I pregnant, but I’ll be a single mom, be just roommates with the father, and once I return to work, the baby will be at a daycare. I’m a little thankful we’re doing this in a public place, so she has to remain slightly calm.
Once I decide that I’ve stalled as much as I can by curling the same five pieces of hair ten times, we leave for dinner. Linc and I get into his car, and he presses the button for the ignition, then pauses, turning to me.
“Okay, Mel, lay it all out. Tell me what we’re walking into here because, right now, I can feel the anxiety radiating off of you.”
I can’t look him in the eye. I’m afraid I’m going to scare him.
“I’m afraid of how my mother is going to take this. I have a feeling she’s going to cause a scene, and I’m afraid of what she will say to you. She has a hard time with her filter when it comes to marriage and babies.”
“You’re a thirty-six-year-old woman, Mel.” He rubs the back of my hand. “I know your parent’s opinion matters, but we’re doing this our way. You’re allowed to live a life of your choosing. And don’t worry about me; she can say what she wants to me, and I’ll stay calm.”
I nod my head. “I know, but that doesn’t make me any less nervous about this conversation.”
“Do we need to stop and get you a fake engagement ring?” He smirks.
I bark out a laugh. “While she would love that, I don’t want to lie to her.”
“Well, then, we tell them, and I support you through the aftermath.”
We walk into the restaurant, and I see my parents at a table across the room. I wave, and Linc follows me to greet them.
My dad immediately gets up, smiling, and hugs me. My mom stays seated.
I close my eyes, finding the comfort of my dad’s arms around me. “Hi, Dad.”
“Melonie, how are you? You brought a friend?”
“I’m good.” I motion to Linc. “Mom, Dad, this is Linc. Linc, my parents, Sam and Elenor.”
Linc shakes my dad’s hand. “Mr. and Mrs. Evans, so nice to meet you.”
My mom looks him up and down with a grin. “Linc, nice to meet a gentleman friend of Melonie’s.”
Linc pulls out my chair, and I sit. The server arrives with menus and takes our drink order.
My dad sets his menu down. “How has everything been with work?”
“Good. The merger has finally settled, so now it’s just getting used to the new workload. There have been extra hours, but I think things are calming down.”
My mom looks at me with concern. “But it looks like even with the extra hours, you’ve managed to meet someone.” She directs her attention to Linc. “Linc, tell us about yourself.”
Linc gives me a sideways glance. “I work in marketing with the Bruins. I’ve been with them for about four years. Mel and I have been friends for a while now. Her best friend, Audrey, married my best friend, Jax, a couple months ago.”
“That’s nice.” My mother beams at him.
“I have to say I’m a Flyers fan, but the Bruins are alright.” My dad chuckles.
Linc smiles at him. “I’ll see what I can do to convert you, sir.”
The server returns with our drinks, and we place our orders. The conversation stays mild. Linc speaks when spoken to, and my parents talk about their recent trip to the Keys.
Our entrees arrive, and I know I need to tackle this conversation. I stare at my food, not sure I want to risk taking a bite just yet.
“Mom, Dad, I’m glad you could come up this weekend, because there’s something I need to tell you.” Linc squeezes my knee under the table. “I don’t even know how to say this. So, I’ll come right out with it. I’m having a baby.”
My mother goes rigid, and my dad gently places his fork on his plate.
“Linc is a bit more than a friend; he’s the father.”
Both of my parents look at Linc.
“How long have you two been dating? You haven’t mentioned him to me when we’ve talked.” My mother looks confused.
“We aren’t dating, Mom.”
She looks like she’s about to cry.
“I’m not sure I understand, sweetheart.”
She has never called me sweetheart.
“Linc and I are going to have a baby, and we’re not dating. We’re going to move in together, into a three-bedroom, as roommates, for a while to see how things work. Before you ask, yes, I’m keeping my job.” I take a drink of water to make myself pause. “We’re really happy about this, and I’m hoping you can be happy about it, too.”
My dad reaches over the table to take my hand, his eyes bright. He gets up from the table to pull me from my chair and hugs me. God, I needed his hug. “Melonie, congratulations. I’m so excited to be a grandpa.”
He releases me and turns to Linc, who stands, and they shake hands.
“So, you just plan on doing this alone? Working? Do you realize how hard this will be, Melonie?”
“Mom, Linc is here to help, and I have amazing friends. I have a good job and benefits. I know it’s not the same as being married and taken care of, but I’ll be just fine. Pretty well off, I think.”
Her forehead wrinkles and she glares at Linc. “Linc, how could you do this to our daughter?”
“Mom…”
“No, Melonie. He obviously isn’t responsible enough to do the right thing here. How old are you, Linc?”
“Elenor, I think you’ve said enough.”
“No, Samuel, I don’t think I have.”
Linc leans forward in his chair. “Mrs. Evans, I know this might not have been what you saw for your daughter, but this is how we are choosing to move forward. As two adults who both love this baby. Your grandchild. I am here for Melonie, for everything along the way. I will do anything she and the baby need.”
“She needs a man to step up and take responsibility for his actions.” Her eyes move to me. “How could you be so irresponsible? This baby will be born out of wedlock, and you act like everything will be just fine. You will be alone, Melonie. Alone.” The word “alone” pierces through me as she throws her napkin on the table. “Well, I won’t sit here and listen to any more of this nonsense. Sam, we’re leaving.”
I feel my lower lip tremble and tears gather in my eyes. Linc places his hand on my back, rubbing in circles to try to calm me. “Mrs. Evans, I mean no disrespect here, but I can’t allow you to speak to Melonie like that. You can unload on me all that you want. I’ll take it all. But Mel is carrying my child, and she is one of the most incredible women I know. She’s going to be an amazing mother. I think if you don’t have anything else to say, then you’re right. We’re done here.”
Linc waives down our server and hands him his card. The table is silent as Linc signs the check, throwing the pen on the table.
“Mr. Evans, it was great to meet you. Mrs. Evans, we hope to hear from you soon with an apology for Mel.”
Linc gets up from his chair, giving me his hand.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I love you both.”
“We love you, too, Melonie.” My dad almost looks embarrassed, but manages a smile. “I’ll call you in a couple days, okay?”
“Sounds good.”
I turn to Linc, and he takes my hand, walking out of the restaurant to the car. Once we’re inside, he hugs me the best he can over the console. I can’t stop the tears from falling. He steadily rubs my back.
“I’m so sorry, Linc.”
“Mel, you don’t have to apologize for your mom.”
A horrible sob breaks free from my chest. “Why can’t she be happy for me?”
“She’ll come around, eventually. It’s her grandchild. Maybe she just needs time. I think your dad will help, too.”
I sniffle loudly and wipe the tears from my face. “I hope so. I knew she wouldn’t like all this, but I didn’t think she would say such harsh things.”
“Look at it this way—it’s over and done. Now, it’s up to her to be a better person. You have a lot of people who love you and support you until that happens.”
I nod and take a deep breath. “I do. Thank you for standing up for me.”
“No need to thank me for that. I’ll always stand up for you. Only now I know your parents don’t like me very much.” He chuckles.
“I think my dad likes you.” I let out a shaky breath. “I hope your parents like me. You haven’t said anything about how you think they will react.”
He smiles and looks out the front window of the car. “My mom has always talked about being a grandma. I think they’ll be happy, and I think they’re going to love you.”
“Well, I might borrow your parents for a bit, then.” I give him the best smile I can muster at the moment. “I hope you’re right.”
“My family is your family now, Mel. Whether we’re together or not, I know they will be there to support us.”
I nod, and he starts the car. “I’m so exhausted. This day took a lot out of me.”
“Let’s get you home, Mama.”