MORE THAN THE MOON by A Rosendale

Author:A Rosendale [Rosendale, A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A. Rosendale
Published: 2021-01-31T22:00:00+00:00

II

Part Two

Chapter 33

Alma reflected on the events that had brought her to this night. Six years ago, she and Dirk stood on a beach, sand soft between their bare toes. The minister finished the service and smiled. They’d kissed ardently amidst the claps and cheers of a handful of family and friends.

The years had been kind, for the most part. Dirk returned with occasional odd injuries, treated in the kitchen of the Boston apartment within the cool brick confidence of trusted walls. But, he always returned. Alma’s reputation in the academic community rose slowly, but steadily. Despite the sometimes painfully long estrangement brought by career travel, their relationship was strong and maintained its passion.

She took a deep breath and stilled her anxious finger tapping. So wrapped up in thought was she that Dirk’s arrival in the dimly lit restaurant startled her. He was at her side, smiling and kissing her before she could stand.

“I’ve missed you,” he said as he sat across the candlelit table. As always, his deep voice sent a flush of joy over her.

“I missed you, too. Where were you?”

“Indonesia. You would have loved it! Beautiful beaches!”

She smiled distractedly.

“Are you okay?” Her hesitant response concerned him. “You’re not sick? I’ve been gone a while. Your parents are okay?”

Her lips curled reassuringly. “Everyone is fine. I’m okay. Um…I have something to tell you though.”

Anxiety turned his stomach and he took her hand.

“Uh…I…” She sighed and hurried on. “I know we talked about kids and we both decided it was too dangerous, not fair, but…Dirk, I’m pregnant.” When he didn’t react instantly, she charged on again. “I don’t know how. Maybe in Mexico over break?”

Dirk maintained his grip on her hand, but he felt as if the world were tilting violently. No concrete thought would form in his mind.

“I started to think something was wrong, but then you left and I obviously couldn’t get ahold of you. The doctor says I’m about three months along.” She studied her husband’s face nervously. For the first time in years, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “You’re upset,” she settled on.

“No, no!” he insisted, gripping her fingers tightly. “No. I…I just need to think.” All he could think were of three thoughts: kids, pregnant, three months. He shook his head to clear it and placed an easy smile on his lips. “Let me process for a bit, okay?”

Alma nodded. She could certainly understand. It had taken nearly all of the past two months for her to process the idea.

Dirk cleared his throat and took a sip of ice water. “Do you mind if I have a whiskey?” he asked her.

“No. Of course not. I get it. Trust me!”

They shared a reassuring smile and Dirk waved a waiter over. They ordered dinner.

“Tell me about the last couple months. You went to Woods Hole at the beginning of the month, right? How was it?”

“Wonderful, as always.”

“Did you tell Stacy and Mark?”

“No. I haven’t told anyone. I wanted to talk with you first.”

He nodded appreciatively and urged her to continue her exploits.

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