It's a Family Affair

Chapter 1

Ricky stood in awe as he looked around the campus chapel. Today was an important day. His grandson was being christened. Ricky looked over at his wife and squeezed her hand. He felt ecstatic until he looked at Stacey. His happiness quickly dissipated. He couldn’t believe his son fathered a child with Stacey, who he believed could possibly be his daughter. Why of all the girls that attended the University of North Carolina did my son get into this predicament with this girl, my daughter, well, maybe my daughter? Ricky’s thoughts were interrupted by the chaplain.

What name have you chosen for this child? asked the chaplain.

Derrick Robertson Junior, said Stacey and Derrick in unison.

"So be it, we baptize you Derrick Robertson Junior in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

Chaplain Bolden, that was a beautiful ceremony, thank you so much, said Stacey.

I’m glad to be of your service; you have a great baby boy.

He is a great baby because he is my boy, stated Derrick jokingly. I knew he would behave; he has my wonderful genes.

Well, you just wait until he turns two; you know what they say about terrible twos, stated Pam Morgan, interrupting the conversation.

Mom, my baby is going to be good even when he turns two. You don’t have to worry about that, laughed Stacey.

If you think so, baby, if you think so, said Pam as she kissed her daughter on the cheek. There are refreshments in the back; why don’t you and Derrick go back there and mingle with your guests. I’ll take Derrick Junior. I want to spend more time with my grandson.

As Stacey and Derrick walked away, Pam took a seat on one of the pews and looked down at her grandson. She wished she could see him on a regular basis. She wanted to spoil him like any other grandmother, but Stacey was set on staying in North Carolina versus moving back home to Florida. She thought her daughter was insane trying to complete college and raise a baby but her daughter was sure she could do it with Derrick’s help. They both were in their senior year of college with no plans to marry, at least that’s what she saw in Derrick’s eyes but she knew her daughter was hoping for a miracle.

There you are. Do you want me to take Derrick Junior while you go back and get something to eat? asked Larry Morgan.

"Sure honey, I’ll only be a minute. I just need something to drink. Try not to wake him. He looks like an angel sleeping in my arms.

I know, I promise I will not wake him, go ahead and mingle a little. Derrick Junior is fine here with me.

As Pam made her way to the back, Ricky spotted Larry sitting with their grandson. He walked over and sat next to him. How’s it going, Larry? asked Ricky.

Everything’s great.

I’m glad you were able to make it to the christening. I know you were being released from the hospital when Stacey originally scheduled Derrick Junior’s christening. How’s your shoulder?

It’s fine now. I’m just happy Stacey rescheduled the christening so I could be here. I’m an old military man so I didn’t think anything could sit me down, but this old shoulder injury proved me wrong.

How did you hurt your shoulder, if you don’t mind me asking?

It’s an old sports injury. I didn’t grow up bowling, but I picked up on the sport when I joined the Air Force. I played on the Air Force Bowling team for a while until the job got in the way. When I started making rank, I couldn’t justify being away from the job while the young Airmen were there working. I did continue to play with my unit and injured my rotator cup. I should have stopped at that point but you know how we are, boys will be boys. Now I’m paying for it years later.

How long have you been retired?

It’s been about ten years now. Stacey tells me you’re still in the Air Force; how long do you have before you retire?

I retire next year.

You ready?

I don’t know, I guess I am—it will be thirty years.

I wish I could’ve made thirty years but the Air Force decided to medically retire me because of my shoulder. I couldn’t continue to do my job so they said I had to go. I miss it sometimes, especially the people. I also miss traveling. When we were in Germany, we traveled all over Europe. I didn’t think a country boy like me would see that side of the world and like it, but I did.

We were there from 1984 to 1987. I’m surprised we didn’t run into you; did you live on or off base? asked Ricky.

We lived on base.

Okay, that may be the reason--we lived off base in the apartments outside the west gate. I guess you can say it was base housing off base.

Yes, I remember, we had some friends that lived out there. Germany was one of our favorite places to be stationed and that’s where we adopted Stacey. It was the best day of our lives when she was handed over to us. Pam couldn’t have children.

How old was Stacey when you adopted her?

She was just a newborn. We adopted her from a German girl that didn’t want to raise a child alone. The father was military and married.

Wow, you were lucky to get a newborn. We adopted Derrick and Sade but they were three and one. We wanted a newborn, but when we met them, we knew they were supposed to be our children.

Well, I personally knew Stacey’s mother. She worked on base at the bowling alley. We became friends because I spent a lot of time at the bowling alley. When she became pregnant, she said she was going to give the baby up for adoption. I told her about my wife wanting to adopt a baby so she agreed to talk to Pam. They really clicked so we hired a lawyer. The rest is history. Genevieve was a nice girl that got caught up in a bad situation.

Genevieve? Did you say her name was Genevieve and she worked at the bowling alley?

Yes, did you know her?

No, no, I don’t think so. What was her last name?

It was Falkland.

Larry, excuse me, I need to go to the little boys room. Ricky quickly ran to the restroom. Once he was inside he checked to see if anyone was in the stalls. They were empty.

He looked in the mirror. I can’t believe this. It’s true. Stacey is my daughter. Ricky thought back to when Stacey told him her biological mother was German. That’s when it came to him. She looked exactly like Genevieve when she was Stacey’s age. That’s why Shelia thought she had met Stacey before that night Derrick brought her by the house. Ricky turned away from the mirror and walked over to a stall where he kicked the door open. He had prayed he was wrong but now he was sure. Of all the German girls in the world, Stacey’s mom had to be the one girl I screwed when I was in Germany. Ricky remembered Larry saying she was involved with a married man, a military man who didn’t want to leave his wife. Ricky turned back to the mirror and saw stark fear on his face. He thought about the conversation he had had with Genevieve the night he decided to stop seeing her. She had asked him several times if he would leave his wife for her if she’d gotten pregnant. He told her no, but he didn’t think she was actually pregnant--at least she told him she wasn’t. When she expressed to him that she was falling in love, he knew he had to stop seeing her. He had only been involved with her about a month, which freaked him out. When he broke it off with her, somehow she found out where he lived and confronted Shelia with his infidelity.

She was the reason Shelia lost our baby. She is Stacey’s mother. Stacey is my daughter. Oh my God! I can’t let Stacey and Derrick get together; I can’t tell my wife about this either. I swore to her I would not keep secrets from her especially after she kept her secret about the baby she put up for adoption when she was fourteen. What am I going to do now? Ricky covered his face with his hands and quivered as he shook his head. He looked again at himself in the mirror. He noticed sweat beads forming on his forehead. He turned the faucet on and splashed cold water on his face. Ricky had to regain composure before leaving the restroom. He had to act normal or Shelia would pick up on something. She knew him too well.

Hey Ricky, where did you run off to so suddenly? Are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost. Well, maybe you did, we are in a church, laughed Larry.

No, I’m fine. I went to the restroom; I had to attend to a bad stomach.

What are you two over here talking about? asked Pam. I hope it’s not about the military. Every time Larry comes across someone in the military he tends to talk their ear off. I hope he’s not doing that to you, Ricky.

No, not yet.

Well you’ll have plenty opportunities to talk about the military. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.

What do you mean we’ll be seeing a lot of each other?

I’m hoping our kids do the right thing and get married. I know these young folks like to do the baby thing first but I think they would make a lovely couple. They’re already great parents.

Marriage! They both need to finish college first and people don’t need to be married these days to raise a child.

I know but I’m old fashioned, I prefer my daughter to marry the father of her baby and I know that’s what she wants. I’m sure Derrick will see the light soon. Our daughter is a great catch, right Larry?

Yes, honey, she is a great catch.

Don’t you think Derrick will make a wonderful husband to Stacey?

Will you excuse me? I think the restroom is calling me again, said Ricky.

Did I say something wrong?

No honey, he is having stomach problems.

Ricky went into the restroom again and looked in the mirror. I’m never going to let that marriage happen. Not if I can help it.

Chapter 2

It had been several months since the christening. Ricky was looking forward to spending time with his son and grandson on Thanksgiving. But he was more excited about talking to Derrick about the phone call Shelia had received from Derrick’s old girlfriend, Jenny. He wished those two could have worked things out because, if they had, he wouldn’t be worried about his son marrying his daughter.

Hi Dad, you called? asked Derrick.

Yes, son, I have some good news that you might want to hear.

I can use some good news because I didn’t do so well on my exam the other day. What’s the news?

Guess who your mom talked to earlier today?

Dad, I have no idea.

Okay, you would never guess anyway…Jenny called.

Jenny, when? What did she want?

She called your mother about two hours ago asking for your cell phone number.

Do you know what she wanted because I haven’t heard from her since the day she got upset with me for going to Stacey’s doctor’s appointment? That’s been almost two years ago. The last I heard she was overseas playing basketball. I know she graduated early from UNC.

I know, she apologized to your mother for not keeping in touch but apparently she will be back at UNC for some alumni thing with the basketball team.

I did hear about that, they want her old basketball team to play the new team in a scrimmage game. I think it’s a fundraiser for the season kickoff.

So, are you going to the game?

I haven’t decided because I’m so busy with my paper.

It looks like Jenny is making time to come out and play--why can’t you make time?

Dad, I’m not as organized as Jenny.

I think she plans to call you because your mom gave her your cell number.

Okay, thanks for letting me know. I won’t hold my breath but I’ll watch out for her call.

Not to change the subject but you and Derrick Junior are still coming home for Thanksgiving, right? asked Ricky.

Yes, Dad, we’ll be home and Stacey is coming with us too.

Stacey? Why?

She wants to spend time with our family.

What about her own family--why can’t she spend time with them?

Dad, you act like you don’t want to see Stacey.

Son, you know I like Stacey but the two of you are spending a lot of time together. Are you and Stacey involved?

No, Dad, we are not involved. She is the mother of my son. What’s wrong with her wanting to be with DJ on the holidays? Plus, I thought you and Mom loved seeing her.

We do love seeing her but can’t you see what’s happening here? She is trying to create a little family with you and I know you don’t want that, at least that’s what you told me.

I know what she’s trying to do but it’s not working. I’m not interested in Stacey in that way. I made a mistake two years ago when I slept with her and I lost Jenny in the process. She knows I’m not looking to marry her, so stop worrying about it.

I’m not worried, son; I just don’t want you to get caught up when you are not ready. You need to concentrate on finishing up your education and moving on with your life. Derrick Junior, or DJ as you call him, will always be in your life because you’re that type of man but that doesn’t mean Stacey has to be your wife.

Dad, what is this all about? Mom constantly asks me when Stacey and I are getting married and you are constantly telling me to move on and leave her out of my life. I’m confused.

I just want you to be happy, son, that’s all.

I’m happy, Dad; don’t worry about me. Anyway, I need to go because I have some research to do before Stacey drops DJ by my apartment. I’ll talk to you and Mom soon.

Ricky was not happy with Stacey coming for the Thanksgiving holiday. Yes, he wanted to see his grandson but not Stacey. He knew what Stacey was trying to do and he couldn’t let that happen. He liked Stacey but he didn’t want her to attach herself to Derrick. Although he knew there was no blood relationship between the two, it still didn’t sit well with him for his son and his daughter to be husband and wife. It was already appalling that they had a child together. He knew he should be happy that he had a daughter, another daughter, a biological daughter but he couldn’t take the chance of revealing it and losing his family. Besides, he knew Stacey had a great mom and dad and that she had experienced a great childhood. He figured: why throw a monkey wrench into the situation?

Ricky stared at the phone and thought about calling Derrick back to plead with him not to bring Stacey, but that wouldn’t make him look good. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He still had a few months before Thanksgiving to try and talk Derrick out of bringing Stacey; but, in the meantime, he knew what he needed to do. I need to call Aaron. He’ll know what