“Jessie, I’m begging you. If you can get Brian to be the man he was years ago before this baby arrives, I’ll do anything you ask. You won’t hurt my pride, because I don’t have any left. I’ve used it all up trying to make ends meet and make a semblance of a life for this baby.”
“Are you working?”
“Yes, at the insurance agency in town. It’s a small business, so they don’t offer insurance to their employees. Too expensive. Ironic, I know. I have no idea how we’ll pay the hospital bills when this baby arrives. I started as the receptionist, but now I’m an assistant to one of the agents. I’ve been learning how to do claims. It’s a good job and pays well.” She bit her lower lip and glanced at her sleeping husband. “I want to go over there and throw his feet off the couch and choke him for making me worry about everything while he drinks himself to death.”
Jessie could relate. “Will they give you time off when the baby arrives, then allow you to come back?”
“Yes, I’ve worked it all out.”
“Okay. Then, here’s the deal. I’ve got a job for Brian. He’ll get insurance by the end of next week. I’ll make sure of it. As soon as it kicks in, I want you to make regular appointments with your obstetrician. Have your ultrasound, and I want to hear all about it.” Jessie took out some papers from her purse. “Directions to the jobsite. He needs to be there Monday morning at six. He’ll meet with James. It’s on the paper.”
“I don’t know if I can make sure he’s there. Sometimes he drinks and I can’t get him up.”
“Don’t worry. If he doesn’t show, I’ll come after him. He won’t like that outcome.” She winked at Marilee.
“The old man will be buried tomorrow morning at eleven at the old cemetery out on Poplar Way. If you guys want to come and dance on the old man’s grave, I’ll see you there. There won’t be any pomp and circumstance, but it’ll be done.
“He left the house and whatever else he had to Brian. I’ll have a crew fix it up and get it ready for you to move into as soon as possible. Got a favorite house color?”
“White with blue trim.” Marilee didn’t hesitate. Like she’d said, she had no pride left. “I’ve dreamed of having a white house with blue trim since I was a little girl.”
Too many of her girlhood dreams hadn’t come true when she married Brian. He had a lot of making up to do with his wife.
“Could you have them take out that old stump and maybe put in a new tree?”
“Anything in particular?”
“Not really, just something that will provide shade to the yard when the baby plays. Something we could hang a swing from someday.” Marilee smiled at the thought and it lit her whole face. “This is like taking charity, but I’m doing it for the baby. I’ll take whatever help you’re willing to give and be grateful to you the rest of my days. Someday, I’ll find a way to thank you and pay you back.”
Overwhelmed by the emotion behind Marilee’s words, Jessie got them back on subject. “Anything else you want for the house?”
“I don’t know. The kitchen is outdated, and the bathrooms too. You used to work with your father; I’ll trust your judgment to make the house livable, clean, and safe for the baby. That’s the most important thing.”
“Done. Now, I want you to go grocery shopping.” Jessie pulled out her wallet and took out a bunch of cash and handed it over to Marilee. “Can you still pay the electric bill at the market?”
“Yes.”
“There should be enough to pay that off and get the groceries. I’ll write you a check for rent and the other bills. That should catch you up until you get into the other house in about two weeks. By then, Brian will have his first paycheck and things should get back to normal.”
Marilee unfolded the bills in her hand. Her eyebrows shot up at the sight of all the money, over five hundred dollars. She crushed it in her palm and held on to it for dear life. “He’ll be shocked to see you.”
“That’s why I suggest you go grocery shopping while I rudely wake him up. And I don’t just mean from his nap on the couch. It’s time he saw the light and went about the business of being a husband and father.”
Marilee stared at Brian on the couch. So much sadness and hope filled her eyes. She truly wanted to believe this time Brian would turn himself around and do the right thing. Jessie knew all about that kind of desperation.
“Marilee, if this doesn’t work out—if he won’t stop drinking, and you want to leave—I’ll help you. No questions. No strings. No judgment. I’ll help you leave him and make a life with the baby.”