It was Jason’s turn to look confused. Vickywas angry that she let her guard down. “I should have known better.When something seems too good to be true it usually is too good tobe true. This is why you did this isn’t it?” pointing at thebox.
“Are you serious right now? I just poured outmy heart to you and because I want to know if I’m going to be afather you’re questioning my motives?” Jason took a deep breathbecause Vicky made him want to strangle her when she wasscared.
“Really, so that’s not the reason you askedme to marry you? It didn’t speed up the process because you thinkI’m pregnant? I bet the Rutherford’s have never had a bastardbi-racial child in the family before.”
Jason just wanted to shake Vicky silly. “Youknow damn well that my marriage proposal has nothing to do withwhether you’re pregnant or not. I’m going to ignore the bi-racialbit because I know you didn’t really mean it. I love you and youlove me. We’re getting married. As far as I’m concerned the soonerthe better. But, I do deserve to know if I’m going to be afather.”
Somewhere in the background they heardVicky’s cell phone ring. They ignored it. Neither one of them madea move to answer it. After the fourth ring it finally stopped.
“Yes, you do have a right to an answer Jasonbut now? You want to ask me that question now? You just asked me tomarry you in a way that women only dream about. You don’t think awoman would try and put two and two together? I don’t ever want tofeel like I trapped you into marriage. We’re just trying to findour footing with each other. So, of course I’m going towonder.”
Vicky stared at Jason then stared back at thebox. She knew she was over reacting and really had no idea why shewas afraid to find out if she were pregnant especially since Jasonwould be the father. He wasn’t Angel’s dad. He wouldn’t abandonher. Her demons seem to always show up at the most inopportunemoments.
Her phone started to ring again. This timeVicky went to answer it. Jason stopped her. “We have more importantthings to discuss than whatever it is they want to talk about.”They stared each other down.
Jason was the first to break the silence “Idon’t know what you are afraid of Vicky. Don’t you want to know forsure?” he caressed her cheek.
Somewhere in the background they heard thehouse phone ringing.
“I’m not afraid of anything Jason. Fine, I’llgo take the test but just know your timing couldn’t have beenworse.” Vicky snatched up the box off of the table to go take thetest. She was lying. She was terrified. In her heart, she knew shecould depend on Jason but memories of her first pregnancy wouldn’tgo away.
Seconds before leaving the balcony for thebathroom, there was a frantic knock on the bedroom door. Aggravatedwith the interruption, Jason went to answer it. Vicky, curiousabout who was at the door and what they wanted followed him.
“Mr. Rutherford, it’s your father on thephone. He said it’s urgent.” Willa, Jason’s long-time housekeeperhanded him the phone.
Jason was exasperated “Hey Dad now is not agood time…what’s up?”
“We just got a call from the policedepartment. Son, there’s been an accident. Angels been hurt in acar accident. I’m not sure how badly she’s been hurt but you needto grab Vicky and head over to the emergency room at FirstMethodist Hospital. We’ll meet you there.”
Vicky could tell by the look on Jason’s facethat something was really wrong. Jason hung up the phone. “Vicky,please be calm. There’s been an accident. Angel’s been hurt and weneed to get to the hospital right away.”
Vicky’s knees buckled. Had Jason not beenstanding right next to her she would have hit the floor. He caughther “Angel’s going to be fine. Hurry, get dressed let’s go seeabout our daughter.”
Chapter 7
The ride over to the hospital was brutal.Jason needed to be supportive for Vicky because he knew she was anervous wreck. She hadn’t said a word since he told her about theaccident. The not knowing was torture for them both.
They arrived at the hospital emergency roomat the same time as the Rutherford’s. “Mom, dad….whathappened?”
Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford hugged them beforeJohn started to explain “We’re not sure. We just got hereourselves. We are not blood relatives so they won’t give us anyinformation.”
An attendant came out from behind the deskwith her clipboard, “Is anyone here related to a Jocelyn Baker oran Angel Martin?”
Vicky rushed over “I’m Angel Martin’s mother.How is she? Can I see her?”
“I’m sorry ma’am; you’ll need to complete theregistration and insurance papers for the treatment she’s receivingtoday. I don’t have any other information regarding the status ofher condition. The emergency room nurse will be out shortly to talkto you.”
Vicky screamed at the attendant “Well thenwhere is the nurse? Somebody needs to tell me something right now!I don’t even know where she is and you’re talking to me aboutfilling out registration papers?”
All heads turned when an elderly couplerushed through the emergency room doors screaming. “Someone pleasehelp us! We got a call that Jocelyn Baker had been broughthere.”
The attendant turned towards the older couplejust as a police officer was making his way into the emergency roomwaiting room area as well.
“Are you the parent’s of Jocelyn Baker?”
“Yes. Yes we are. Where is she? Can we talkto her?”
“I’m sorry ma’am at the moment the doctorsand nurses are still with her. As soon as they can someone willcome out to talk to you. In the meantime, there are someregistration papers that we need for you to complete.”
“She’s going to be ok though right?”Jocelyn’s mother spoke as if she hadn’t heard theadministrator.
The officer who had been standing in thebackground made himself known. “Hello, my name is officer Rubin. Iwas the officer who arrived first at the scene of the accident. Areyou the parents of Jocelyn Baker and…” he looked down at hispaperwork to make sure he got the name of the other victim correct“...Angel Martin?”
Everyone started to speak at the same time toverify that they were the parents and grand-parents.
Officer
