Work in Progress

“Ma, I need to tell you something.”

Carm looked up from the pie she was making. “OK, Luca. Shoot.”

“I don’t want you to overreact,” Luca told her.

“I won’t unless you don’t tell me right now.” Carm finished crimping the edges of the pie, then looked at Luca. “So?”

“OK. I was just talking to Chloë.” He paused.

“Yes, and…?” Carm was not a patient person.

“Well…she’s pregnant.”

Carm was shocked into silence for a brief moment.

“And the baby is yours?” she finally managed.

Luca shook his head ‘yes’.

“You’re sure?”

“I’m positive. Yes.” Luca averted his eyes. He didn’t want to see the shock on his mother’s face. Nor the disappointment.

“But how? She stayed in Rosa’s room when she was here, except for the last night.”

Luca answered, “It didn’t happen here.”

“Then when? How far along is she?”

“Three months. It was the Thanksgiving weekend at Slowpoint.”

“For Christ’s sake, Luca. What’s she planning to do?” Carm and Gino were strict Catholics and considered abortion murder. She hoped that wasn’t the plan, although it would make things easier for everyone. She scolded herself for the momentary thought. “What are you planning to do? Is she considering adoption?”

“Ma, it’s my responsibility. I’ll do the right thing and support her in whatever she decides. I know she’s planning to go through with the pregnancy, but I don’t know what she’ll want when the baby is born.”

“The baby’s due when?” Carm asked.

“July sometime,” he replied. This was the hardest conversation he’d ever had with his mother and he was certain telling his father would be much more difficult.

“What about going back to university next September? Have you thought about that? It sounds like you want to support this baby financially. There goes the money you’ve saved for school. Oh, Luca, I don’t want you to miss your opportunity at having a good profession like Bruno and Manuela.”

Luca countered, “I can still do that. Just not right away. I can go back any time. I can do part-time, and take evening classes or go remotely.”

“You have no idea how this will change your life, Luca. You know how disappointing this is.”

Luca nodded.

“I don’t want to think yet of how your Dad will react. You’ll have to tell him yourself.”

“Can’t you tell him, Ma? It will be easier that way.”

“Easier for you, yeah. You want to take on all this responsibility? You tell him yourself.” Carm made it clear she thought the subject was closed for now.

But Luca continued. “There’s more.”

“More?” Carm nearly screamed it at him. “God, no. What more?”

“Her parents don’t want her in their house any more. They’re throwing her out. Where’s she going to go? And it’s my baby, and I…”

“You want to pay her rent somewhere? No, that’s just too much, Luca.”

“Actually, I was hoping she could live here at least until the baby’s born.”

What color remained in Carm’s face drained instantly. “You’re kidding, right? Please tell me you’re kidding.”

Tentatively, Luca answered, “No. I’m serious. It’s the right thing to do.”

“Right for who? We barely know this girl and she’s going to move in?”

“She can work in the restaurant to pay her way.”

Carm nearly exploded. “Oh she can, can she? Did she decide that? Is she giving up her studies too?”

“No, I haven’t mentioned any of this idea to her. I just assured her I’m here to support her and whatever she decides to do.”

“Well,” Carm relented, “I’m glad at least you’re showing some integrity and taking responsibility. But, Luca, this is a mess.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Ma.”

Carm had a sudden thought. “Why can’t she live with you? Get Gary to move out.”

“Actually…” Luca looked penitent but hopeful. “I was kind of hoping I could move back here to save some money. I’ll pay rent, or room and board or whatever you and Pop decide.”

“This is too much for now,” Carm said definitively. “I’ve got to think. And I’ve got to sound out Gino on all this. But,” she emphasized, “you have to tell him about the baby yourself first.”

“OK, I will. Tomorrow. I’m sorry I’ve let you both down. I really am.”

Carm responded with her personal catchphrase. “It could be worse.”

After the severity of her parents’ reaction, Chloë had moved in with her friend, Gail, whose last roommate had suddenly moved out. Now that she would have to pay her way, Chloë sadly faced the fact that her university days may be over for good. She tried to chase that reality from her mind and threw her energy into finding a job to make her share of the rent and food. She was past the nausea, and most symptoms of the first three months had disappeared. Her energy was returning, and she was glad to leave her first trimester behind.

Telling Luca the news had been easier than she’d anticipated. It was certainly much easier than telling her parents. She had wondered if their reaction would be as bad as she’d expected, but it was worse. Chloë had known they’d be extremely angry with her, and not make things easy for her, but she hadn’t anticipated their complete abandonment of her. She was stunned by their response and deeply wounded. She hoped they would come around eventually, and accept the facts and whatever plans Chloë had for her baby. Perhaps, she hoped, they would be softened by the reality of becoming grandparents. She would pray for that. Despite everything, despite their attitude toward her, Chloë would not abandon her parents.

Luca’s response had shocked her nearly as much. She’d feared he would be furious with her, or want to claim the baby wasn’t his. But he didn’t. He took her at her word and, when he assured her he would be there for her the entire time, she had broken down in tears. Luca’s support partially lifted the huge weight she’d been carrying. She couldn’t believe how fortunate she was that he was there for her. He truly was the person she’d hoped he could be. Whether her feelings for Luca had been imagined or real, she now believed she was truly in love.

Gino’s first reaction to his youngest son’s news was much as Luca had anticipated. Explosive rage. That was usually his go-to in situations as tense as these.

“How stupid. Idiots. This ruins everything,” Gino bellowed. “Why? Imbecile.” He feigned a slap to Luca’s head.

“I’m sorry, Pop. I know this isn’t what you wanted.”

“What about your poor mother. Look what it’s doing to her.”

Carm stood quietly in front of the fireplace, waiting for Gino’s outburst to subside. When he stopped to recharge his fury, she said quickly, “Gino, we can make this work. If we do what we can now, Luca still has a long future ahead of him to achieve anything he wants. University will always be there, and he’ll always be the smartest.”

“You’re defending him?” Gino wasn’t familiar with this calm and restrained woman. “How could you?”

“He’s my son, Gino. He’s your son. It’s happened and it’s a reality. Our new reality. “

Gino looked at her, mystified by what she’d said. “Our reality? He did this all by himself.”

“I was shocked and angry at first,” Carm responded, “but this is what’s happening. It’s God’s will and we can’t turn our backs on God any more than we can on Luca.”

Luca felt like he had when he was a child being reprimanded and punished for some errant act. But he wouldn’t let his father bulldoze him into something other than what he thought best. Gino was his idol for many reasons, and he was a soft-hearted and generous man. Luca believed that, when his father had time to defuse and give the situation some reasoned thought, things would be workable for all of them.

“There’s something else I need to tell you,” Luca began hesitantly. Gino looked over the spectacles that perched too far down his nose. He knew he wasn’t going to like this either. “Chloë’s parents have thrown her out of their house. She’s moved in with a friend, but she has no money saved.”

“Who?” Gino demanded.

“Chloë,” Carm said. “Luca’s girl. The mother.”

“Why do I care about her and her parents? That’s their business.”

“Gino, that’s a most unchristian attitude. The girl needs help and, like it or not, our first grandchild needs help, too.”

The air in the room hung like a heavy cloak over the three of them. No one knew what to say next.

Gino broke the silence. “This is a bad situation, Luca.”

“I know, Pop.”

“What’s this girl going to do for money when she’s going to university?” Gino quizzed his son.

“She’s dropping out and already looking for a job,” Carm intervened.

“I don’t have time for this now. It’s rush hour. This is a huge disappointment. We’ll talk about it later. I need time to think,” Gino said finally.

Luca knew the worse was over. Neither he nor Carm wanted to spring on him the idea of Chloë’s coming to live with them. That would definitely be a step too far.

“Thanks for your help, Ma.”

“Son, what choice do I have?”

Luca noticed a slight change in Carm’s attitude. She wasn’t so much resigned as energized. No matter the circumstances, this baby would be her grandchild. For the most part, this isn’t how she saw her youngest’s life unfolding, but she was a practical woman who faced life head on. Her grandchild. She’d been thinking for years how wonderful it would be to be a grandmother. “While I’m still young. Youngish.” She smiled to herself.

“I’ll go back to the apartment now, Ma. I’ve got a really early shift.”

“OK.” Carm looked at him.

As he turned to leave, Carm said in what was nearly a whisper, through a few tears, “I love you Luca.”

“I love you, too, Ma. Thank you.”