Joneses – 4.9 I Didn’t Plan This

Saturday night, John was headed for the same bathroom Mary had just come out of. She was startled because she actually needed to speak him; she only wished she had a little bit more time to gather her thoughts. She cleared her throat. “John…”

“What is it?”

“I…think you should sit down.”

He squinted. “I have a feeling I should stand.”

“Very well.” She cleared her throat again. “John, I…” Suddenly she was overcome by nerves. She had only just learned this news herself and hadn’t processed it yet. “I’m pregnant.”

He thought he heard wrong. “What?”

She knew he was going to be surprised, but she didn’t care to repeat herself; it made it more real. That was certainly not the way she planned to end her night. “I’m pregnant, John.” Another child was never part of her plan. Ever. A four person family was perfect—ideal. She especially was not interested in starting over after both of her children were well into their teens. However, her life hadn’t gone as planned. Ever since leaving Newcrest, her life had no direction; she was lost. And John? Well, she would do anything to make John fall in love with her again. Perhaps having another child would change things for them. She certainly hoped so and began to think more positively about it. “We’re having another baby, John.”

It took him a few moments to grasp her announcement. When he did…oh boy. He didn’t take it so well. “Mary…please…tell me this is some twisted joke. This isn’t funny! This can’t happen!”

As much as Mary understood his reaction, she took offense to it. “Why would joke about this, John? I’m just as shocked as you are!”

He began pacing, trying to make sense of it all. Suddenly, he remembered their little rendezvous from the previous night. He gasped and lashed out at her. “You did this! You did this on purpose! Was this your plan the whole time? Catch me with my guard down and take advantage of me?”

“What? You think I planned this? Why would I plan this?”

He was still pacing, his emotions boiling over in anger. She had a point, but he didn’t understand what happened. They didn’t try for a baby. Why would they do that?

Mary was hungry and grabbed some leftover meatballs and sat at the table hoping the food would comfort her. John wasn’t finished with her and sat too. “Did anything I said the other day make any sense to you? Were you not listening? I thought you said we were on the same page! We cannot afford another child!”

“John! Listen to yourself! You make it sound like I impregnated myself! You were there too, remember?”

“That’s not what I’m saying! I’m just…” He sighed in frustration and exhaustion. “This isn’t how it was supposed to work. This isn’t what I wanted.”

“What you wanted? You think I want this? You think I’m happy about it? Why would I be happy about having a baby with a man who doesn’t love me? Why would I be happy about that, John?”

“Come now, Mary. Don’t act so innocent. You’re the one always talking about keeping us together. How do I know you didn’t just con me into staying around for an extra 50 odd days, huh? You’re a planner. It sounds like a perfectly good plan to me!”

“You’re sick, John! Just sick!”

As they argued about who’s fault it was and whether Mary planned it or not, Susie appeared in the room and they didn’t even notice her. It was a pretty heated argument for Mary to miss Susie’s outfit. Deep inside, they both knew the fight was silly and changed nothing, but the news was so fresh and they were in shock. They didn’t know what else to do…and Susie heard it all. That certainly was not the way John and Mary would have wanted her to find out about her new younger sibling.

A baby?! Oh. Sweet. Watcher. I didn’t even know they were still…ewww! Just…ewwwwww.

Hmmmm…maybe…maybe this could be good. Dad wouldn’t leave her with a child. Maybe she’ll change…