Night Before the Swing

Phase before Motherhood 1

CHAPTER 15

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"Dion said you're about to pop! She lied, girl you're just big", was Yola's greeting when she and Nala saw each other. Nala didn't expect to find that funny but then again, Yola said it so it's hilarious. More than anything, Nala was pleased that the girls didn't see her as an outcast now that she was pregnant. Yola, Dion and Glenda checked up on her regularly throughout the days she was home. Nala met Glenda's parents who looked too old to be her biological parents. Nala thought maybe she was an adopted orphan but Glenda offered an explanation unprovoked because she had been asked countless times where her real parents were.

Her mom and dad struggled to conceive for many years and had accepted their fate. They helped raise their siblings' children to fill the void of being barren. One day when they were in their very late fifties, they decided to clean their bedroom together. Her mother tripped and fell, bringing her father down with her. A few weeks later she found out she was pregnant and that's how Glenda says she was conceived. Nala had never laughed this hard and long. What prolonged the hilarity was that even Glenda was laughing at her own story. She then made it clear that she will not be taking questions about the details of the tale to which Nala laughed at some more.

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Every time Nala thought about this story, she wished to go home even if it was just for a day. She was sitting alone in her apartment after being dropped off by Gwen, Tyler and Long. She felt sleepy as soon as they left but after she took a shower she just sat and ate one thing after another. Nandi was the second to arrive. She showered and joined her in eating and they started talking about Lizzy's new attitude. Nandi wanted them to reconcile but Nala was too hurt by Lizzy and the things she's said and also didn't say. Their conversation was warming up when Lizzy walked in and she could tell by how they abruptly seized their chat that she was the subject matter of their dialogue. She asked if they needed her to lock herself in her room so they could continue discussing her. Nala shot up, trying to walk away but Nandi halted her and ordered them to take their seats. At first they tried to play hard ball but Nandi wouldn't budge so they sunk to the couch. They waited for Nandi to say something but she simply told them she's not the one with a problem. The palpable silence persisted up until she decided to mediate. She started with encouraging Nala to repeat what she was saying about Lizzy before she arrived. "I'm frustrated with her" she began. "Lizzy, I have been a good friend to you; more than a friend and I was hurt by your judgmental attitude. I love Warren but I wouldn't have fallen pregnant on purpose. I want us to be cool again but if that's too much to ask I'll move in with Warren." "No you won't" Nandi interjected. "If you leave, then I'm going back to my home too. I'm here only because you are Nala. You're my best friend and sister too now. You know your brother's going to marry me right?". Lizzy and Nala involuntarily laughed at Nandi's confidence in Iggy. "I'm glad I amuse you both, now Lizzy; do you have anything you want to say or do you want us to leave you here alone?" Nandi asked, sounding serious. "I'm sorry Nala." Lizzy began. It was wrong of me to question your lifestyle and make you feel bad about things I'll never have." "What do you mean things you'll never have?" Nandi enquired.

Lizzy: A few years ago my brother got sick and needed an organ donated for him. My whole family tested but I was a stronger match so, I gave my brother a part of me. It was supposed to be a simple and straight forward procedure but my brother died. He would've been 13 this year.

Nandi: I'm so sorry Liz.

Nala: Me too. I remember seeing you soon after that.

Lizzy: After the surgery, I was told I will never have children of my own.

Nala gasped and stared at Lizzy for a while. "How come?" Nala wanted to know but Lizzy had no explanation. She just had to take the information given to her by a medical professional and accept it as the truth. Nala found it disturbing that someone could go under the knife to help a loved one healthy and with a normal menstruation cycle then come out without her child producing organ. Nala and Nandi had never even noticed that Lizzy doesn't go through the monthly trouble of menstruation. Lizzy then apologized to Nala and told her she wasn't ready to deal with the fact that she'll never be a parent but promised she was working on it. "You won't be doing that alone" Nandi said embracing her.