Joan waited patiently until she was done talking. Taking Summer’s small hand in hers, she said, “I’ve worked for Nick, for ten years now −”
“I thought it was seven years.” Summer interjected cutting Joan off with a confused look.
Joan softly chuckled. “Nothing gets by you when it comes to that man.”
Summer sheepishly smiled. It was true, she knew just about everything there was to know about the man. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, it’s all right sweetie. I worked for him the first three years cleaning his office building at night. He was looking for a housekeeper, so when he asked if I wanted the position I jumped at it. Anyway, back to you, sweetie. I know he can be hard, but he’s a fair man. I know you heard about that stankin’, low-life huzzy Veronica?”
Summer wanted to laugh at Joan’s description of the other woman, however, her pain wouldn’t allow her. Nick had said she was a conniving whore just like Veronica. A hurt expression flashed across Summer’s face that wasn’t missed by the older woman.
“What’s wrong sweetie?” Joan asked as she patted Summer’s hand.
“Nothing, I was just thinking about something. Go ahead, I’m sorry.”
Joan gently squeezed her hand. Poor child is hurting so bad. I hope that boy get his act together. Can’t he see that this chile loves him? I swear sometimes he’s as stubborn as a mule. “After that gal, Nick never trusted women the same. He never settled down with anyone more than a month, if that long, until you came along. Summer you’re special to him. Just give him time. He’s a good man, he’ll come around.”
“I don’t know Joan; he’s hardly said anything to me since the other night.”
“Just give him time sweetie.” Joan encouraged as she stood up. “Well, I’m gonna leave you to your afternoon nap. I need to get dinner started.”
Summer also stood from her seated position and opened her arms to hug the older woman. Joan stepped into the embrace and held Summer closely to her large bosom as she gently rubbed her back. Summer could’ve stayed there all day.
What Summer said next to the older woman brought tears to her eyes. “Thank you so much for listening to me and not judging me. I know I’ve messed up big time by getting myself pregnant. But you’ve been so kind to me, helping me and taking care of me just how my mother would do if she was here.”
Breaking the embrace, Joan held Summer away from her, “Oh, ain’t you ‘bout the sweetest little thing. I’m glad I can be here to help you sweetie. Now come on and get some rest.” Joan waited until Summer comfortably settled herself back onto the bed before she left the room.
After Joan left Summer focused on the ceiling as Joan’s words tumbled around in her head. “Give him time.” Time for what? She was tired of giving Nick time and everything else. Tired of taking a backseat to him. Tired of always putting what he wanted first. Tired of being afraid of him and what he might do to her. Most of all she was tired of loving a man who didn’t love her the way she deserved to be loved. Or for that matter loved her at all. A man who refused to find it within his heart—that is if the scoundrel had one—to understand everything she’d been dealing with for the past several months. He hadn’t even considered how all alone she’d felt when she found out she was pregnant knowing he didn’t want her or a baby. How miserable she was for the first four months of pregnancy with morning sickness every single day, several times a day. How she had disappointed her parents by getting pregnant by a man who simply walked out of her life. Even in this day and age she was embarrassed when her co-workers found out she was pregnant without the father in the picture. Thank goodness for Starr and Ava. When the tongues went a flapping they’d come to her defense putting anyone in check.
If all that wasn’t bad enough, he continued to hang the threat of taking her baby away from her over her head. Sometimes she felt her fears were unjustified because the ultimate decision to grant custody of the child to either parent was that of a judge. Summer knew she was a good person, didn’t have a criminal record, was educated and had a good job. Anyone who knew her knew she was capable of being an excellent mother. But Nick had money and could buy whatever he wanted. Including her baby.
Pondering all these things, Summer came to a decision to release her love for Nick. Holding onto it was too painful, too destructive. As much as it hurt, she came to the realization that he would never love her. She held onto the hope and even fantasized that in time Nick would come to love her. No longer disillusioned, Summer accepted Nick was incapable of loving her. It was evident in his behavior, how he treated her. Summer still could not believe Nick, had sunk to the level of calling her out of her name.