Knoxville
I stand in front of the bathroom mirror, hairbrush in one hand and phone pressed to my ear with the other, talking to my aunt, her voice a faint murmur on the other end of the line.
‘Quit my job?’ I can’t help but ask, totally shocked.
‘Exactly,’ she says.
‘Why? Is he giving me a job or something?’
‘You don’t need one, honey. He’s gonna take care of everything,’ she tells me.
I frown, confused. ‘But what will I do after the baby’s born?’
‘Simone, you might not ever have to work again,’ she says, and it sounds so unreal.
‘Really, Aunty? But they had me sign this legal thing about giving the baby up when it’s two.’
‘Just forget about that,’ she brushes it off.
‘Are you sure?’ I ask, still trying to wrap my head around it.
‘It’s not a problem,’ she insists.
‘Okay…’
She goes on, ‘As soon as you test positive, he’s moving you to a new place. We’re not waiting till the baby’s here.’
I kind of saw that coming. ‘I had a feeling things were going to change.’
‘They definitely have. You need to test positive next week,’ she says, matter-of-factly.
‘I’m sure it will be,’ I say, trying to sound confident.
‘They don’t want you walking around Knoxville with your baby bump,’ she explains.
‘Aww,’ I coo, touched by the concern.
‘Now, they need to know where you want to live. They’re ready to buy you a house.’
I laugh, still not believing this is real.
‘What’s so funny?’ my aunt asks.
‘I just need some time,’ I say, my laughter fading.
‘You’re laughing.’
‘Why wouldn’t I? This feels like a dream.’
‘I get it,’ she empathizes.
‘Wow, just wow,’ I say, still amazed.
‘And think about whether you’d prefer a penthouse or a house.’
‘Oh my God. How am I supposed to focus at work with this on my mind? I’ll think about it.’
‘Alright, but don’t take too long.’
‘I don’t have much time?’ I ask, surprised.
‘No.’
‘Aunty…’
‘You should start writing your resignation,’ she says.
‘Aunty, I don’t know if I’m ready to be a stay-at-home mom.’
‘It’s just for a few years,’ she reassures me.
‘I’ll get bored,’ I say, feeling restless already.
‘I thought you liked lounging at home,’ she teases.
‘I’ve changed my mind,’ I say firmly.
‘Simone, the baby has to come first. You can’t just leave them with a nanny and go back to a job that doesn’t matter anymore.’
‘Aunty, my job means something to me,’ I defend myself.
‘I’m sorry. Just be ready to quit, okay?’
I can feel the nerves, but there’s also this determination inside me to face whatever’s coming.
