The Bad Son

For a brief second, his heart knocked against his ribs in excitement, then he had to remind himself that they were just words. Nothing else. Now was the time to tell her he was planning on moving, but she was too upset about her sister. He’d do it later.

MACY WALKED BACK to her condo, feeling the dried grass beneath her feet. She’d forgotten to put on her shoes. Oh well. She took a moment to breathe in the crisp February air. Soon spring would arrive, heralding new life and new beginnings. Maybe there was hope for her and Delia to start again.

Delia came down the stairs, her corn-colored hair orange in spots from being bleached so much. Why Delia had to do that to her hair, Macy didn’t understand. She never understood a lot of things about her sister, but she loved her and was going to be patient and listen like Beau had said.

She was so glad he was back. Her world just wasn’t right when he wasn’t around. There weren’t many people in her life she could trust, but Beau was…

Her thoughts stopped as Delia went to the refrigerator and grabbed a Coke, some chips and cookies. “I’m starving,” Delia said, and plopped her large frame into a chair.

“I can fix you something to eat,” Macy offered.

“No, thanks. I live off junk food.”

But it’s so bad for the baby. No, don’t say a word. Be patient.

She took a long breath. “So, how are you?”

“Big as a cow. My back hurts and I can’t sleep. I hate being pregnant.”

Macy sat at the table and stopped herself from running her hands through her hair. “It’ll be over soon.”

“Yeah.” Delia wolfed down two chocolate chip cookies. “The sooner the better because this is hell.”

Macy counted to three. “Have you talked to Mom or Dad lately?”

Delia stopped in the process of stuffing food into her mouth. “How likely is that?”

Macy let that pass. “We worry when we don’t hear from you.”

“Yeah, right.” Delia chuckled in disbelief. “You’re happy when you don’t hear from me. At least I’m not bugging you for money.”

“That’s not true.”

“Well, the last time I visited dear ol’ Mom, I met her new hubby. He has to be ten years younger than her. She couldn’t wait for me to leave—I think she was afraid I’d make a pass at him. And when I saw Dad and his young wife, they wanted me out as soon as possible. Didn’t say it, but every question, every nervous glance, made that crystal clear. So please don’t try to make me believe that my so-called family is worried about me.”

“I am,” Macy said quietly. “I worry about you all the time.”

“But that’s you, Macy. You worry about everyone, including every animal on this earth.” Delia took a swallow of the Coke. “Thought this place would be like a zoo, but you have only three critters. That has to be a first.”

Macy let that pass, too. “You’re my sister. I love you.” She paused. “Are you still on your meds?”

“Nope. Don’t see the need.”

Macy bit her lip. “Are you having an easy pregnancy?”

“I feel so keyed up, I can’t sit still and sometimes I feel as if I’m going crazy.”

“You’re not,” Macy assured her. “I’d like for you to see a doctor while you’re here. I’ll help all I can.”

Delia swung back her yellow hair and stretched her back, her large stomach protruding. “Don’t razz me. I just need a place to stay for a couple of days. I’m waiting for a deal to go through and when it does, I’ll be outta here.”

Macy frowned. “Deal?”

“No questions, because you wouldn’t like the answers.”

What was Delia up to? Be patient. “Do you know the sex of the baby?”

“A girl.”

“A little girl. How nice.” Warm, precious memories surfaced and she quickly forced them away.

“You would say that.” Delia pushed to her feet, her hands rubbing her back. “God, my back is killing me. Do you have any pain pills? I could use something, the stronger the better.”

“You shouldn’t take anything without a doctor’s advice. It could hurt the baby.” Her patience ran out and she couldn’t stop the censure in her voice.

“Don’t tell me what to do. That’s what I hate about you—you’re always trying to run my life.”

Macy sucked in a deep breath. “It’s for your own good. You have to think about the baby. I’ll give you a massage, that will help to calm you.”

“Go to hell,” Delia said in anger, then waddled to the stairs and soon Macy heard a door slam.

Macy sat there for a moment. Like Beau had said, Delia had been living on her own for a long time and there wasn’t much she could do. But an innocent baby was involved. That’s what got Macy the most—the baby. Who was going to love her, care for her and give her a home? She didn’t think Delia was capable of doing any of those things. No, she corrected herself. She knew Delia wasn’t capable of doing any of those things.

Before she could change her mind, she picked up the phone and called her mother. Irene wasn’t too concerned.

“Macy, I’m not sure what you expect me to do. Delia has made it very clear that she doesn’t want me to interfere in her life.”

“What about the baby?”

There was a long pause, then her mother replied, “That’s Delia’s responsibility.”

“I see.”

“Macy, you know how Delia is. She won’t listen to me or take her meds. I’ve been through hell with her and I’m not putting myself through that again.”

“Okay. I just wanted to let you know that you’re going to be a grandmother.” Saying that, she hung up and realized she was trembling. And she was angry.

That anger driving her, she phoned her father, something she wouldn’t normally do. Ever since he’d walked out on their mother, Macy had a hard time talking to him. But this was important.

His wife answered and tension coiled inside her at the thought of her father’s new life. A life that neither Macy nor Delia had a part in. It was hard to get past the resentment, but she kept trying. Soon her father was on the line. His response was the same as her mother’s.

“Delia never listens to me. There’s nothing I can do.”

She gritted her teeth. “I just thought you might like to know.”

“Macy…”

She hung up, not wanting to hear anything else. She had to take several deep breaths to calm herself. Picking up Freckles, she walked to the window. It was dark, but from the streetlight she saw Beau jog by.