Two months later, Nathan pulled over in front of his house, he reached for his phone that was sitting on the console and dialed Tracy’s number. His graduation was in five days and he really wished she could come. It’s been three weeks since he last saw her and during his last visit, Calvin had happened to be in Texas for a friend’s birthday and had invited them over and that was the first time he got to meet Tracy although Nathan talks about her a lot when they hang out. He could still remember Calvin’s words when he saw Tracy, ‘I said it that you are a great man, take a look, at eighteen you already went after a great woman and now you have a daughter on the way. I wish I was like you when I was your age.’ Everyone had laughed at that but Nathan had seen the hidden meaning to those words and he appreciated that Calvin didn’t judge his relationship like a lot of people he got to know.
The phone connected and Tracy’s voice came from the other side, “what now?” she asked.
Nathan chuckled, ever since they had gone for an ultrasound and discovered that Tracy was indeed pregnant with a girl, she was constantly having mood swings and she never hesitates to tell him how she wished it was a boy so that he would look just like him but despite that, Nathan knew she loves their daughter just as much as he does for he had caught her a lot of times speaking softly to her and also, she was the first to start filling her room with baby things.
Nathan was able to join her for shopping twice and he had insisted on paying for their shopping. Being friends with Calvin who was also the captain of the Phoenix Suns basketball team had a lot of advantages. He got to hang out with the teams whenever they were in town and he helps carry their bags or just do anything and whenever they were leaving, they never hesitates to give him tips which on his own part, was loads of cash. Plus, he had taken an after school job in a diner which was why he wasn’t able to visit Tracy as much as he would have loved.
He gets to train with Calvin’s team sometimes and they always joke about him joining their team. Nathan often wished that it was more than just a joke to them as he found himself dreaming of being a member of the Phoenix Suns. He doesn’t care if he won’t be a captain anymore and definitely not a Point Guard since Calvin was there, he just wished he would be recognized as their teammate. That would be the best news for his dream and career.
“What’s the matter this time, why saucy?” he asked with a light chuckle.
“It’s granny,” she heaved a sigh, “anyway, that is bygone. How are you?”
Nathan shrugged, “I’m okay. How are you?”
“I’m good, just having to carry Natalie around,” she replied.
Nathan chuckled, “and you will still do for the next four months. I wish I can help.”
“I wish you can help too,” she sighed, “but then you can’t.”
Nathan laughed at that, he made no comment and after a while, he said, “my graduation is in five days.”
“Oh,” Tracy sighed, “already?”
“Yes, and I want you around Trace. I want you and Natalie around.”
“Nathan, Lucy…” she sighed, “she is still mad at me.”
“She knows we are together and I noticed that she had stopped ignoring my phone when you call. This morning, she was the one that brought it to me outside when you called and she also said ‘Tracy is calling’ I think she has finally accepted it.” Ever since Nathan came back from Texas for the first time, Lucy had been so angry at him for leaving without telling her and then she had forgiven him for that but was still disappointed in him. Their relationship hasn’t been as it used to be, they hardly chat during dinners again and sometimes, she would have breakfast before he comes down and she leaves for work earlier than usual whenever she was working morning shift.
Nathan was deeply affected by it but he tried not to push her, he gave her her space and always moved away from the house or locked himself in his room when he needs to talk to Tracy. A lot of times he would buy a gift, maybe pair earrings or pair slippers or just buy her favorite snacks for her. The first time, she didn’t accept his gifts but then after a month, she started accepting what he got for but not with enthusiasm like she used to. Whenever he brought up Tracy, she would stand up and leave the kitchen for him or just walk away. She did that thrice and he stopped bringing Tracy up in her presence. He does whatever she wants him to, living silently just not to be in her face always and also give her time to finally accept everything.
“Just because she brought your phone doesn’t mean all is forgiven,” Tracy said.
“I know, but she has never done that before and I have not heard her say your name in two months and today she did and without a scorn on her face nor the usual disappointment in her eyes when I speak to her about you.”
Tracy sighed, “I know you are trying to make things work between us Nathan, I know you want us to be like we used to, but she needs time and I can only give her that by staying out of her sight.”
“I want you to attend my graduation Tracy, both of you together, the two women in life. Oh, make that three,” he smiled and sighed, “but you know what I mean Tracy, you both are all I ever had and I don’t want to lose that, I don’t want to lose any of you. So if you ask me, I think is high time you face her.”
“No, no, Nathan I can’t.”
“Trace, if you continue like this then you will never face her and before you know it, it would be years and I don’t want it to be years. For all I know, she never asked you to leave; you decided that on your own.”
“Because it was what is right.”
“I know, but is been two months. The town doesn’t talk about it anymore; everyone knows we are together and that you are carrying my child. If you ask me, I think mom is waiting for you to come back. I think she will like to talk about everything while looking you in the eyes. Trace, you remember what you always tell me? ‘The best way to fight your fear is to face them’ then face mom Trace, please. I want everything to be resolved before Natalie comes into the world. One thing I can tell you is that no matter what, you will always have me, I will always stand by your side, come what may.”
Tracy heaved a deep sigh, “I…I will think about it. Please give me time to think about it.”
“Sure, but please, come to a decision before my graduation, please.”
“I will.”
Nathan smiled, “thank you,” he sighed, “I have to go now, I have to go inside and mom is home.”
“Alright, talk to you later.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“I love you most,” Nathan said and smiled, knowing she will roll her eyes as usual but he didn’t stay to hear her nag about it and just ended the call. He leaned his head on the head rest and stared at his mom’s car, hoping and praying that Tracy would come back fast enough and that his mom won’t be toxic and would let everything go back to the way it once was, if not for anything then for Natalie, her granddaughter that would soon join this world.
He heaved a deep sigh and then grabbed his ball that was sitting on the passenger’s seat and got down from the car. He walked straight to the porch and pushed open the front door. Stepping in, he saw his mom sitting on the couch with her eyes closed and a mug of what was definitely coffee sitting beside her on the stool. He shut the door behind him and saw her eyelids flutter and knew she was awake. “Good afternoon mom,” he said, making his way to the stairs as he often does to take a rest before he prepares to go to the diner.
“Can I speak to you, Nathan?” Lucy asked with her eyes still closed.
Nathan stopped in his tracks, “mom?” he asked, just to be sure he heard what she said. She often ignores him when he greets her and sometimes she would just accept his greeting and won’t say any other thing to him and so he was definitely not expecting her to ask for his permission to speak to him.
Lucy opened her eyes and gazed at him, “you were talking with Tracy in the car weren’t you?”
Nathan gulped, this was the first time she was taking the first step in bringing Tracy up and Nathan could feel it in his bones that maybe she has finally accepted them but knowing his mother, he couldn’t be sure and so he refused to rush into assumption. “Yes,” he replied.
Lucy nodded and closed her eyes once more. Seconds ticked by and Nathan felt like he was standing on needles as the silence dragged on. “How is she by the way?” she finally asked.
“She is good,” Nathan answered, choosing his words carefully.
“Is she going for her antenatal, is she taking her prenatal medicines?”
“Yes and yes, everything is good,” he replied, his heart was beating loudly in his chest as he tried to figure out where the discussion was leading to.
Lucy nodded, “I want to ask you something. You really love her that much?”
Nathan gulped and answered, “Very much mom, with all my heart.”
Lucy sighed, “It’s difficult Nathan, but…I have decided to try,” she looked at him, “for your sake and hers, I will try to accept this.”
“Really mom?” Nathan felt like he was over the moon as he immediately rushed to her and kneeled beside her, placing his head on her thighs as his eyes clouded over, “thank you mom, thank you so much.”
Lucy closed her eyes and buried her fingers in his hair, “your graduation is coming up, tell her to come back, she needs to be there. She has never missed anything in your life, she shouldn’t start now.”