On the way home that night Vicky stopped off at the drug store and bought a pregnancy test. What would she do if it showed up positive? Talk about a stereotype. There would be too many to choose from the multiple baby daddies to the gold-digger trying to trap a Rutherford with a baby. Could this get any worse?
Vicky had just sat Angel down to dinner when there was a knock on her door. She had no idea who would be knocking on her door this time of night. When she went to the door and looked out the peep hole she couldn’t believe her eyes. “Ohmygosh…what in the world and why on earth would she be here…Mrs. Rutherford?” Vicky opened the door “May I come in?” Vicky quickly stepped back to allow Mrs. Rutherford to come inside. “I’m sorry it took so long for me to open the door. Of course, I’m just shocked that you’d be here, in my neighborhood at this time of night. This can be a very dangerous place”. Vicky’ didn’t understand why Mrs. Rutherford would be at her home then her eyes became big as saucers “Oh my god is Jason ok? He is isn’t he?” Why else would Miriam be at her home? It seemed like it took hours for Miriam to respond when it was really just a few seconds “So..you really do love my son.” It was a statement of fact more than a question. “Physically, Jason is fine but wounded. He’s been a mess since you left. He’s not eating or sleeping. He’s just working himself to death trying to take his mind off of you. It’s obvious you’ve been doing the same thing here as well.” Vicky could only imagine what she looked like in a ripped t-shirt and sweat pants. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and it didn’t help that Angel had splattered spaghetti on her while she was trying to make her eat her dinner. She was pretty sure she looked like death warmed over. “Mrs. Rutherford, I apologize for the way I look I was just finishing up dinner with Angel and me…..” Miriam reached out and held both Vicky’s hands “Why did you leave my son? He loves and adores both you and Angel” Miriam spoke in a soothing motherly tone. That made Vicky’s eyes glassy because she hadn’t had or felt motherly concern since her mother died at the age of 12. “Mrs. Rutherford..I love Jason so much but we’re just too different. I’d never want to drive a wedge between Jason and his family”. Miriam looked thoughtful before she spoke, “I told you once that Jason and his father were stubborn men. They work hard, they play hard, and they fight hard. But, they also love each other very much. Please understand that women have been throwing themselves at Jason since he was old enough to walk. Most of them for money, for power, or the Rutherford name. So, I trust my son can spot the real thing when he sees it. May I sit down?” Vicky nodded “I’m sorry of course please sit down. Would you like something to drink? I have water or tea” “Tea would be fine”. Vicky hopped off of the couch to make Miriam some tea. It also gave her a minute to catch her breath. When she walked back into the living space she felt she had gathered some of her composure. Miriam took a drink of her tea “This is really good. Thank you. Now..where was I? Oh..Jason and his dad. Those two would fight over the day of the week. However, Mr. Rutherford is very protective of those he loves. Those who don’t know him thinks he’s a hard man but those of us who are lucky enough to get to really know him are aware that he’s a big teddy bear.” Vicky shifted in her seat “He wasn’t very approving of me. He thought I’d hurt Jason in business and that Jason might even lose friends over it. Mrs. Rutherford, I’ve been on my own really since my mother died when I was 12. Being shuffled from foster home to foster home makes it pretty difficult to trust people and make friends so I understand how important those relationships can be. I’d never want to do anything to ruin that for Jason. And, then there’s the whole interracial dating thing…like I said there are just too many differences”. Miriam could already tell that Vicky was a woman of substance but her respect level went even higher now that she knew how Vicky had overcome so many obstacles. She also understood now why Vicky was so skittish. She was afraid that if she truly let anyone in that they would abandon or worse yet reject her outright. “Pish posh Vicky. That is all crazy talk. Jason fell in love with you for the woman that you are NOT because of your pedigree. You fell in love with him because of Jason the man and that alone makes me love you too. Don’t allow your fear of abandonment or rejection keep you from having your fairy tale ending. Now stop this crazy talk pack a bag for you and Angel so that we can get back in time for John and my anniversary party tomorrow night.” Miriam handed down her edict like a warrior with all the charm and grace of a southern bell. Then she hugged her tightly. Angel started clapping and singing the Jason song. After a tearful hug Vicky stood up to pack a bag for her and Angel then
