"Ruin and Redemption"

Lizzie's Plan

Joe looked up to see Mindy entering the room, her belly swollen past her feet. She was carrying the baby low now. She rested one hand languidly on her huge belly and held onto one of the house beams for support.

Joe hadn’t admitted to it lately. But he was eager to see the baby make its way into the world, just to make sure. He didn’t want to raise Derrick LePoint’s child, and the sooner he knew for sure that the baby was his and not Derrick’s, the better he would feel.

Joe knew he was being irrational, even in suspecting Derrick. But Derrick had made love to his wife. And lovemaking tended to produce babies. These two facts together made quite an impression on Joe's mind. It almost seemed strange that Derrick shouldn’t leave his child for Joe to raise. Joe certainly spent enough time looking after Derrick’s wife already. It would be appropriately inconsiderate if Derrick also left a child for Joe to look after.

“Why are you looking at me like that, Joe?” Mindy asked.

“Oh, nothing. Just looking at your belly Mindy. Guess its ‘bout time for the baby.” Joe noted hopefully.

“Yes, it is. That doesn’t seem to be all, though, Joe, is it? I wish I knew what was bothering you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Mindy. Jus’ hope everything goes well with the birth, is all.”

“Oh, it will, JoeJoe, don’t worry! I’m sure it will all be over soon, although I wish I could just keep the baby inside me forever.” Mindy sighed contentedly, looking down at her full belly and cradling it with one arm.

Joe grimaced, imagining Derrick’s baby, part of Derrick, inside his wife for an indefinite period of time.

“Why the face, Joe? What is really bothering you?” Mindy questioned, more intensely.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Mindy. I should go out, and tend the garden, Mindy.” Joe siad distractedly.

“In Winter, Joe? You’re not making any sense! Please tell me if something is bothering you!” Mindy demanded.

But Joe was ashamed of his thoughts. More than likely, Mindy was carrying his child, and he ought to be feeling proud that she was, and delighted that she wanted to keep his child inside her. He wracked his brain, what was he to tell his Mindy? He especially didn’t want to upset her close to her time and risk a difficult birth. He wanted things to go smoothly for his wife; he didn’t want to risk losing her.

“Oh, er, Mindy, I just hope you don’t decide to keep the baby in there forever! I’m really looking forward to meeting her.” He accepted Mindy’s view on the sex of the child, hoping to appease her, and leave no further lingering questions.

“Of course not, Joe! You know I can’t. Pretty soon the baby will be getting restless, and she’ll want to meet you,too. I don’t suppose she could really properly grow up in there,” Mindy said, indicating her belly. “I don’t think I can make any more room!” She laughed. “You take things so literally sometimes, Joe! I don’t plan on keeping the baby inside. I was just saying how much I love being pregnant with your child. It’s like having you inside me all the time.”