Family Ties

Carlotta’s pregnancy was progressing well. After she reached her sixth month, most of the sickness had subsided. She rarely complained about anything, but I knew she was sore and tired.

We were both trying to save up as much money as we could so we could build another room onto our house. We were also trying to stock up on diapers, baby clothes, and formula.

After a lengthy talk with Carlotta’s therapist, we all agreed that it would be best if we had a house keeper come and watch over Carlotta and the baby just in case she were to have a mental breakdown. It was just another expense that we were going to have to add in.

The young guy we found charged $125 a day, it was the lowest that he said he could go. I was only making $140 a day. We wouldn’t be able to rely on Carlotta’s paintings because we knew once the baby came she wouldn’t have any time to paint.

I went into work one day dressed rather nicely. I had every intention to ask my boss for a raise, even a small one would be good enough. When I entered the building, the desk lady looked up at me.

“Are you Gideon Greymane?”

I nodded at her and walked over to the desk. She handed me an envelope with my name on it. She suggested I read it in private, so I went over to the waiting area and pulled out the letter.

I was angry, how could they do this to me? I had a baby on the way and a wife to care for. I went over to the desk and threw my lab coat at the receptionist. I stormed out of the building.

After working there for over a year, this is how they were going to thank me for my hard work and dedicated service! How would I tell Carlotta, what would she think of me? What if she left me and went back to her parent’s house to raise our child where money was no issue.

I wasn’t going to let that happen. I had to find a new job as soon as I could. I went to the park and looked through the paper, hoping fate would step in again and I would find the job I was destined to have. After skimming through, I found a couple that sounded like something I could handle. I called the first one; the position was filled. I called the second one; they already had a stack of applications, but they suggested I could still apply and would be in consideration for the next opening.

It was pointless, Riverview was a town of rich people and no jobs. Too many of the businesses there were run by families or had family connections. For new comers like me, there was little hope in finding a job.

Like a light coming on above my head, I realized that I did have connections. Carlotta’s family was rich, maybe they could pull some strings for me and get me a job. I hadn’t seem them since the day Carlotta moved in with me. They knew nothing of their soon-to-be grandchild; part of me wondered if they would even care.

Without even addressing Carlotta, I headed over to her old home, unsure of what to expect. I rang the doorbell and the door creaked open. Her mother peered out at me, squinting.

“Do I know you…?”

I shifted uncomfortably, how could she not remember me?

“It’s me, Gideon Greymane… Your daughter Carlotta lives with me…”

Her wrinkled brow furred and she locked eyes with me.

“I’m sorry but you must have the wrong house. I don’t know you, or this person you claim to be my daughter.”

She promptly shut the door in my face. I sighed, at least I had tried. I turned and began to walk away when I heard someone behind me call out my name. I turned around, behind me stood Carlotta’s little sister, Anita. I was told she had moved away to the city to try to make it big as a writer. What was she doing back in Riverview?

Anita politely invited me inside and offered me a drink. I refused, and we went and sat down on the couch together. At first the room was filled with an awkward silence; Anita attempted to make small talk and asked about how her sister was doing. I told her that Carlotta was nearly nine months pregnant with our first child. Like any sister would be, she seems excited to become an aunt.

I asked Anita why her mother did not recognize me. Her face turned from elated to solemn; she didn’t say anything for a bit.

“She has dementia. She doesn’t remember any of us. After dad died last year, she progressively got worse. I couldn’t bear to send her to a nursing home where she would feel lost and confused even more. Since my career wasn’t going anywhere out in Bridgeport, I decided to come back home and care for mom. At least for as long as I can.”

She looked down at her lap, clearly trying to find a way to change the subject and hide the tears that were forming at the edges of her eyes.

“I know you didn’t come here to catch up on our lives, so why are you here?”

Her tone had become very serious and defensive. I told her about my job at the science lab, and how I had gotten laid off that morning. I explained to her my need for work and my worries about caring for my child without being employed.

“So, what, you expect us to give you a job? We already have a maid.”

Anita snapped at me. I couldn’t help but laugh, though she was less than amused.

“I don’t think I’d make a very good maid. Actually, I was hoping that maybe you could help me get a job trough some family ties. I knew it was a stupid idea, but I’d do anything for Carlotta. I really need a job, I can’t lose her.”

Anita looked at me, her face strict and careless about my worries. Being under her gaze made me feel small; like a child begging for candy. I could tell my problems were not ones she cared to deal with. I bit my lip before continuing.

“I understand if you can’t help. I… I just thought it was worth a try.”

I shook my head, trying to clear the dark cloud of doubt covering it. I got up to leave, Anita watched me walk all the way over to the door, a solemn look still plastered to her face. I reached out to open the door when she finally told me to wait.

“I’m working down at the school now as an English teacher. I can’t promise anything, but I will see what I can do. Just so you know though, I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for my sister.”

My thanks fell on deaf ears, but that was no matter to me. I was just happy she was willing to try to help me out. I decided it was probably best not to tell Carlotta what had happened to her father, or her mother. I didn’t even tell her about meeting up with her sister. I figured I would let fate decide if Anita wanted to rekindle her relationship with her sister.

When I arrived home, I told Carlotta about being laid off. I also told her that I may have found a job working at the school. I could tell that she was very upset, but she refused to look at anything but the positives. At the end of the day, I may not have had a job, but I still had Carlotta and our baby. And that was all the mattered in my eyes.

Chapter Five: To Hold The World