Sunday, September 19, 2004
Rose pulled into a parking space near the supermarket. Awkwardly, she wiggled out from behind the wheel and got out of the car.
The baby was due in less than two weeks, and she couldn’t wait. She wanted to hold her child in her arms and care for it. Beyond that, she wanted her body back. She had been inhabited by this kicking, squirming creature for nearly nine months, and was more than ready to bring it into the world.
Sighing, Rose walked slowly across the parking lot to the supermarket entrance, stopping to pick up a cart on the way. She didn’t really want to go shopping, but it was her week to cook, so she had to pick up groceries.
Pushing the cart ahead of her, Rose walked through the store, keeping an eye out for bargains. There was less money now that she wasn’t working, though the money Helga paid her to watch Daniel did help. There were more mouths to feed now, too, now that Daniel was old enough to eat solid foods. Helga had offered to simply buy all of Daniel’s food herself, but the others still picked up food for the child. He was adored by all four adults.
When she had everything she needed, Rose joined a checkout line. Rubbing her back, she didn’t notice the woman in the line behind her until she spoke.
"Rose!"
Rose turned, startled, to see Ruth staring at her. "Mom!"
Ruth shook her head, staring at Rose’s swollen middle. "I’d hoped you’d have better sense."
"About what?" Rose frowned, confused.
"About getting pregnant at this point in your life. How are you going to finish college and launch a career with a baby?"
"The same way other women do, but I’m lucky enough to have a good husband to help."
"I’m sure." Ruth looked her over. "You didn’t tell me you were pregnant."
"Would you have cared?"
"Of course I care!"
"About me and the granddaughter I’m going to give you in a couple of weeks, or about the fact that the baby changes my career plans, not that I really know yet what I want to do?"
"I’ve told you time and again how having a child at the wrong time can mess up your life. I’ve told you that since you were a teenager, but you never did listen."
"I listened, Mom. Obviously, I didn’t get pregnant until after I was married, and I’m not a child. I’m twenty years old, and I’m ready to be a mother."
"And what about your husband? What does he think of all this? Was it his idea?"
"Jack is as excited about the baby as I am. And actually, this wasn’t planned by either of us. It just sort of happened."
"You’re old enough to know about birth control."
"I know about birth control. I also know that it doesn’t always work." Rose was growing irritated. "Now, are you going to keep on yelling at me for getting pregnant, or are you going to accept the granddaughter I’m going to give you?"
"Rose...of course I accept your child. After all, it is my first grandchild. I just think you should have waited for a better time."
"Nature didn’t want to wait, and the only way I could have prevented this baby from being born once it was conceived was to abort it. And I couldn’t do that. I wanted this baby from the moment I knew it was there, and I don’t think I could bring myself to get rid of any child, convenient or not. This is my daughter." She patted her belly, feeling the baby move under her hand.
"Well, I suppose congratulations are in order," Ruth told her stiffly.
"Only if you mean it."
"Rose..."
"Mom, no matter what I do, you manage to find fault with it. Forgive me if I’m a little skeptical about your congratulations over the baby, but I already know your opinion about my having a child, and I know you aren’t too fond of my husband. So if you don’t really mean it, please don’t say it."
"Rose..." Ruth sighed. "Very well. I can see you’re not going to believe me, so I won’t say it."
"Mom..." Rose turned away, not allowing Ruth to see how hurt she was. "Thank you for being honest, at least."
She was about to say more, but she had reached the front of the line. Pulling out the checkbook, she paid for her groceries, then looked to see if her mother was still behind her, but Ruth had moved to another line.
Rose looked around for her, catching her eye briefly as she moved toward the doors, but Ruth quickly looked away. Shaking her head, Rose left the store, wondering if there would ever be a time when she and her mother could understand one another.