He also started a microloan program for first-time offenders who have a business idea or plan. He takes no payments, just helps them set things up and takes a percentage ownership. It keeps him busy, and in just a year, a few of the businesses are already taking off. He’s also taken to doing online stock trading, and he’s got quite the knack.
Some people just know how to make money out of money I guess, and Geo’s doesn’t seem to have a problem in that area. It’s nice, more than nice, to not worry about rent or eating or what ifs. For the first time in my life, I don’t have that pit of anxiety in my gut about making ends meet.
My mom asks a few more questions about the baby, how my doctor’s appointments are going, then when there’s a lull, I steel my courage and ask.
“Mom? I have to ask you something.”
“Sure.”
“Why did you tell me Geo was my father?” I rehearsed a bunch of ways to approach the question, but now that it’s time I just blurt it out without ceremony. “Did you really think he was my father? Or…”
I leave the open-ended question hanging there and my heartbeat speeds in the silence. I count the seconds, and she finally takes a breath and replies.
“I thought he could be. Maybe. I don’t know.” A pause, then she goes on. “See, baby, I wasn’t sure. Lots of things I didn’t remember back then. But I think I just wanted him to be your father. He was one of the nicest guys I remember back then; he was strong and quiet. He drank, sure, but so did everyone I hung out with. Truth, I don’t think he ever even touched me now that I’ve spent time thinking about it. Talked about it with the therapist in here. I’m sorry, baby. In my pickled brain, I think I just wanted it to be true. And I also don’t even remember telling you that night. I was not in a good place. I’m working on it though. I’m trying to work through some things.”
“I know, Mom. I hope you do.” My throat is tight as she goes on for a bit, more apologies and finally, our time is up. I don’t press the subject, I just needed some sort of answer from her, even if it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
We wrap it up when the beep comes through the phone, signaling we have sixty seconds to finish. We say our goodbyes, and I click off, feeling a sense of relief that at least I asked the question.
I set the phone down and stand, pressing my hands into my lower back and trying to stretch.
“And?” Geo turns me toward him, one hand on my belly and the other on my cheek. “How do you feel about that answer?”
“I’m okay.” I shrug. “Sort of anti-climactic.”
He snaps his tongue in his cheek, and I see the flicker in his eye.
“I can give you climactic.”
His hand moves from my belly to cup my breast, and a swirl of desire speeds through me.
Geo and I got married a month after we met. We had a little ceremony at the senior center in the courtyard, and I think I got pregnant a minute later. Beth was there along with Mrs. Morrison and a bunch of the other seniors I used to drive around.
By a stroke of dumb luck, Geo’s court case was thrown out due to a technicality. It was divine intervention I believe. He’d already committed to turning his life around and it would have served no one for him to go to prison so sometimes, things do just work out the way they should.
Beth has also partnered with Geo on doing some private home loans for low-income families. He still does loans, he’s just legit now.
“I know you can,” I tease back, looking up at the monster of a man who can make my panties wet with just a look.
“If I were in charge, I’d have you like this for the rest of your life. So fucking sexy.”
“So f-ing uncomfortable.” I counter, leaving out the swear word. I’m still a bit of a Pollyanna, I guess, and Geo swears enough for us both.
I’ve quit my job driving the bus. It just wasn’t practical with my condition. But Geo helped me start a volunteer program with the county. The woman that took over from Wesley Havers after he was pushed to resign worked with me to organize the details. It’s sort of an adopt-a-senior deal. I didn’t have any particular skills or hobbies to share but what I loved was just spending time with the people I worked with.
So many of them are lonely and want someone to talk to. Someone to help them get groceries or a hand to hold at the doctor’s office. Of course, Geo and I take care of Mrs. Morrison, but I also have ‘adopted’ a gentleman who has become part of our makeshift family.