Chapter 7

“But you promised you’d come to service with me,” whined an overly emotional Imani who was now in her fifth month of pregnancy as she tried to guilt her husband into staying. Over the past couple of months she had become increasingly needy to the point that she had to wear one of Michael’s shirt that reeked of his scent whenever he wasn’t at home to fall asleep.

“I know honey but this merger is very important so I have to go to Seattle to make sure it goes smooth. I promise I’ll be on the first flight back as soon as this is over.” Curving his hand over her cheek and resting one on her swollen tummy, he looked straight into her brown eyes. “You know I can’t stand to be away from you and our little one. I would never intentionally take on anything that separates us for too long,” he confessed.

“You promise?” she asked giving him puppy sad eyes as her lips curved into a pout. Leaning down he kissed her lips trying to distract her.

“I promise. When I get back I’ll make it up to you.” This caused her to beam up at him at his promise of a reward. Bending before her protruding belly he began to talk to it. “Daddy promises to come home as soon as he can little one. In the meantime keep mommy happy and don’t give her any problems Ok? I’m counting on you to be the man of the house while I’m away.” She laughed at his silliness but then she felt a sharp kick from their son as if he was agreeing with his father. She could tell that Michael felt the movement as a broad smile etched his lips and his hands firmed against her tummy more securely, willing their child to make another movement.

“You like my voice don’t you little one?” he asked still bent at her belly as if in a deep conversation with its occupant. After rising back up on his feet, he put his arms around her. He kissed her sweetly as he whispered against her lips. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you more,” she challenged.

Imani missed Michael so much so that she couldn’t sleep in their matrimonial bed as it reminded her too much of his missing presence. Instead, she took up residence in one of the guest bedrooms on the other side of the house. She still wore his shirt as it gave her comfort and put her mind at ease enough for her to fall asleep as his scent consumed her senses.

On Sunday Imani went to church. She had been back to church the third week after she came back from her honeymoon and the congregation greeted her cheerily though some of the faces didn’t look at all pleasant. Michael had not yet come to church with her though he had promised and she wondered if he would ever get time to visit her church. The pastor had asked on numerous occasions why he was not seen even once which prompted her to make excuses on his behalf citing that his work made him very busy. She could tell that her pastor was not pleased although he offered no comment on the matter.

She had thought that Michael would have come with her this time around as he had promised and she even went ahead and told her pastor that he would see him in church this Sunday. Yet, here she was once more without her husband in tow and she felt horrible. She explained to Pastor Jacobs that an important business matter had come up that had him flying out and like all the other times he was very sympathetic.

“In due time my dear; the Lord will make a way for him to come into his house. In the meantime just continue to pray for him.”

“Thank you Pastor,” she graciously acceded although she felt a pang of disappointment. She excused herself to use the restroom. As she busied herself, two sisters entered the bathroom and she recognized the voices to be that of the two women who had spoken some awful things about her a few months ago – they were the biggest gossip in the church.

“It’s such a shame to be married and have all that money yet she can’t get the man to come to church with her,” said one of the women in a distasteful voice before she was backed up by the other.

“It seems there’s trouble in paradise already. After all they only got married because she didn’t want the baby to be a bas*ard. I wonder if she tricked him into marrying her and if he is now resenting her for it?” she mused.

Imani sat in the cubicle, hot tears splashed down her cheeks but unlike the last time she did not move or make her presence known to the women and waited until they left before coming out and washing her face.

When she left the bathroom, she held her head high, maintaining her dignity as she made her way outside to the town car where the driver waited for her. Not feeling much up to greeting anyone she climbed into the back of the car, the driver closed the door before proceeding towards the front. When she got home she was sporting a massive headache. She drank some water before heading upstairs to the guest room to take a nap.

Imani felt as if she was floating in the air as strong cords held her in place but when she opened her eyes she was met with the blackness of her husband’s irises as he carried her towards their bedroom.

“Why were you in the guestroom?” he asked.

“Because I missed you,” she replied simply still half asleep and befuddled.

“Then I repeat, why are you in the guestroom?” he asked, confused at her response.

“Our bedroom reminds me too much that you’re not there, so it makes sleep impossible,” she rationalized.

When he made it to their room, he gently laid her on the bed before stripping off his clothes and gathering her in his arms.

“What time is it?” she asked noticing that outside was dark as the door leading to the balcony was open and letting in the cool June breeze.