When it rains

Chapter 11

As Charmain purposely strolled through the affluent Brondesbury Park neighborhood, with its mix of Victorian and Edwardian houses, modern apartment blocks, and independent shops and restaurants, she thought to herself I would prefer to be anywhere but here, right now. Its clean air, tree-lined streets, and smell of freshly baked bread from the local bakery, did not lighten the burden of what she knew she needed to do, for the good of her unborn child. Charmain stopped and stood in front of number four Wilmer drive for twenty minutes, whilst she built up the courage to knock its door. She paid no attention to the waves of middle-class residents who passed her by, instead she noticed that her parents front garden was as pristine as usual. She thought to herself this garden is just like my father, in that outwardly he always looked perfectly picturesque, hiding all imperfections so he could keep up appearances. Her heart beat increased as she fidgeted with her hands.

She took a deep breath, rubbed her stomach, and was instantly filled with the resolve she needed. She knocked the front door. After, what felt to Charmain like a lifetime, the front door opened, and her father, Francis Brown, stood in the doorway like a Royal guard, determined not to let anyone pass, on his watch.

Charmain asked, "are you going to let me in?"

Her father saw the neighbors' front door open, and unwillingly stepped aside and said, "come in then".

Francis wondered if his daughter had finally seen the error of her ways. And why from the point he had given her the ultimatum of either leaving Gabriel or leaving his house for ever, she did not immediately see that he was providing her with much needed tough love. He thought she should have known by then that as a judge her actions reflected on him.

Charmain entered her parents' home and immediately noted that all of her pictures had either been taken down, or she had been cut out of them. She told herself to remain calm, and not let anything get to her. She followed her father into the living room, where her mother, Claudia Brown, was stoically waiting.

She looked at her mother pleadingly, hoping she would talk some sense into her father, instead of embodying the dutiful wife like usually did.

Francis turned to Charmain, "you're in now, so what have you got to say".

Charmain wondered what would be the best way to broach the subject of her being with child, but she couldn't think of anything so she blurted out hesitantly, "I'm pregnant".

Claudia's stoic snow queen demeanor thawed out for a second, but when Charmain looked at her imploringly, it was back. Claudia thought that this situation is so tiring and draining, I don't know how much more of this I can take.

Charmain thought say something mum, anything. I need you.

Claudia opened her mouth and then closed it.

Francis said, "Is it Gabriel's?"

Charmain remembered how her father had previously been her biggest supporter and defender, when she was the dutiful daughter, who always toed Francis Brown's line. She thought about all the times he hugged her and she was instantly filled with the feeling that she could take on or do anything, and how she currently craved that felling.

She wanted to tell her father how much she needed him right now, but instead she said, "yes".

"Well, you've made your bed then and you have to sleep in it".

Charmain, flabbergasted, looked at each of her parents. "Is that really all both of you have to say?"

She wondered if she should tell them that she was not currently with Gabriel and if that would make a difference, but decided not to mention that because she did not know how her relationship with Gabriel was going to resolve its self.

Francis said, "you defied me, so what did you expect".

"Are you really willing to forfeit a relationship with your grandchild, because I exercised my god given right, of free will," said Charmain.

Frowning, Francis said, "you've said your piece, I think its time for you to go," not even attempting to hide his contempt for his daughter, her choices and how she was currently living her life.

Charmain shook her head and then stormed out of their house. A part of her missed the closeness she used to share with her father, but the majority of her knew that his love was conditional, and she was not willing to forfeit her free will to stay within his favor.