Melody started to whimper. By the time Anna got across the room, she had ramped it up to a full-out scream.
Anna laughed at Lorena’s wide eyes and furrowed brow.
“What’d I do?”
“Relax, Lorena, she’s just very vocal when she’s hungry.”
Anna took the baby and settled in the rocker. “Breastfeeding is the way to go, Lorena. It’s a time to bond and no bottles to wash or formula to fuss with.”
Lorena watched in astonishment as Melody instantly calmed. “Babies sure are amazing but scary.”
“Yes, they’re amazing, but you’re the scary one,” Anna teased. “You should see your face. Why don’t you go wash up? I’m surprised Melody didn’t start crying the minute she saw you.”
She could hear Lorena groan as she reached the bathroom mirror. “Auntie, how did you keep a straight face looking at that? Yikes, I’m a freak show.”
Anna’s laughter floated down the hall.
Anna opened the door to a very concerned man. “Come in, Tom. Lorena is waiting to speak to you.”
Anna guided him into the living room where Lorena perched herself on the edge of a lounger looking like a bird about to take flight. Tom moved toward her, but with one look at her stormy face, he chose to sit on the couch across from her. Neither said a word.
Anna felt out of place but necessary. Lorena’s eyes darted her way as if to petition help. Anna had little choice but to forge ahead.
“Tom, Lorena has something to tell you. She desperately needs your love and support, and I’ve assured her of that.”
“Why would you question that, Lorena? Why would you come to your aunt before coming to me?” A canyon of pain registered in his eyes.
“Because she’s the only one who can possibly understand how I feel.”
“Understand what?”
Her voice trembled as she dropped her gaze. “I’m pregnant.”
A gasp slipped from Tom’s lips as he jumped to his feet. He raked a hand through his hair and paced back and forth.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I’m really sorry.”
“Lorena, why didn’t you tell us?”
Anna spoke up. “The reason she didn’t want to tell you or her mom was because she heard all the negative things said about me. She thinks that she’ll be considered unworthy of forgiveness and all the other things she heard. I assured her that it would be much different being that she’s your daughter.” A firm message burnt through Anna’s words for which she made no apology.
“I haven’t agreed with Lana.” Tom said defensively.
Lorena’s head snapped up and through the tears she cried, “But, Dad, you haven’t disagreed either. You just sit there and listen to her. You let her dictate everything.”
A sheen of tears glistened in his eyes. “It’s true,” he admitted. “Rather than fight with Lana, I keep the peace by saying way too little, way too often.”
Anna nodded. “You don’t have to tell me what a powerhouse my sister is. She’s a strong woman, but even a strong woman can be a wrong woman at times.”
He nodded. “Lorena, I’ve known that something was wrong for a while now. I’ve tried to talk to you, but you’ve shut me down.”
“I know, Dad. It’s just that you and Mom have been so busy with your careers and are hardly home. It’s … it’s hard to talk like we used to. I’ve been struggling with Christianity for quite a while now but didn’t think I could question you and Mom about it. All my friends have walked away, and there’s no one at the church I connect with. Then Joel came along and made me feel loved and needed. How wrong was that?” She hung her head in shame.
Tom stepped toward her, but she held up her hand. “Dad, I need to finish.”
“I was pretty sure I was pregnant that day at church when the news came out about Auntie. I wanted to tell you both, but when I heard Mom talk with such disgust and anger, I didn’t have the courage.” A soft sob escaped as she admitted. “Dad, I almost got an abortion yesterday because of that—and the pressure from Joel. Then when I wouldn’t do it, he broke up with me. He sure didn’t love me much if he could kick me to the curb like that.” Lorena’s tears flowed down her face like a river, “Daddy, I’m terrified.”
He held out his arms and she ran into them. He held on tight.
“Oh, Lorena, I’ve been so wrong. Please forgive me.”
Lorena pulled back, her eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes, my baby girl, the joy of my world. I’ve been wrong. My lack of leadership in our home has almost destroyed you and the innocent life of my grandbaby, and I’m very sorry. And I owe a big apology to your aunt as well.” He raised his head and looked across the room at Anna. She waved off his words and smiled.
He mouthed, “Thank you.”
Anna slipped away with Melody in her arms but not before she heard Tom promise, “From this day forward, Lorena, things are going to change.”
“No way, Tom! I will not stand by and let Lorena dictate terms to us.” Lana was practically screeching.
“Our daughter is not dictating terms, I am!” He could see Lana was visibly tense and was about to unleash that fiery temper. With everyone else, she was the perfect lady, but with him … she let the real Lana out.
Tom had done a lot of praying and knew that he could not bend. His daughter’s well-being depended upon his strength.
“She would rather stay with my sister than us, and that’s okay with you?”
“No, that’s not okay. But if you can’t assure me that you’re going to put aside your pride, forgive her, and support her wholeheartedly, then I’ll agree to her living at Anna’s. And I won’t have you talking behind her back like you have about your sister, either.”
“My sister is my business.”
“No, she’s my family too. Remember that promise you made me give you before we married, that
