Chapter Thirty

"I hope I'm not intruding on anything?" Elowen looked at her mother who disagreed with Veronica's question. "Good. Good. I didn't know who else to talk to about the situation. Harry has been very quiet lately ever since he found out about the baby. I don't blame him though. It came as a shock to all of us. Some people just have joyful shocks while others are angry." No one said anything besides stare at the white woman sitting at their dining table. "I just wanted to clarify that I have nothing against your kind. It's Harry that I'm concerned about. He gets out of himself when it comes to things like this."

Mrs. Walson shifted in her chair as she got bored with what was being said. "I have things to do, Mrs. Hill. Can you tell us both what you're here for?"

"Well... I'm here for the baby." Elowen's mouth dropped. "Not to take your baby! Oh no, I would never. I mean Annabelle gets fevers like crazy. A newborn would only be deadly in that case." Veronica put her pink purse on the table and pulled out a checkbook and a pen. "Philip is going off to war. He won't be needing his college funds that I worked my ass off to create. But I can see a bright future in whatever Elowen creates. If she can make Philip happy, I can imagine what she can do to a baby." Veronica smiled at Elowen as she wrote her signature on the paper.

"We won't be needing your-" Mrs. Walson put her hand on Elowen's arm to let her know that she should close her mouth. Though her mother seemed as if she didn't want to take this offer either, they both knew they didn't have the funds to care for a baby. All help is needed. "Never... mind."

Veronica's face went from confused to happy all over again. "How does five hundred sound?"

Elowen let out a deep breath as she watched Veronica walk down the porch steps. Mrs. Walson put the check in a locked box in the closet and left the goodbyes to Elowen. "Thank you again, Mrs. Hill. We appreciate your gesture."

Just before she got to the last step, she turned around to face Elowen. "Can I ask for one thing in return?" Elowen looked back at her mother who was giving her a death glare. This made her nod at Mrs. Hill quickly. "Call me..." Her eyes appeared to be pleading with Elowen. "...when the baby is born. I won't be there, but I'd like to know."

"Yes. You'll be the first call aside from the hospital." The two women shared a laugh before Veronica Hill officially left Walson property.

A silver car pulled up right behind her and Elowen almost whined when her mother came to see who it was. "Mr. Gardner?" Her mother said a bit worried. "Hello!" The man slammed his car door harshly then again and again when it popped back open. "Is something wrong Mr. Gardner."

"My door is broken, I guess. Also, my wife had the baby. I waited for months for a congratulation call and got nothing. I assumed Elowen forgot to tell you but I forgive you." Elowen gulped when he pointed his hat at her. Her mother didn't have time to give her a death stare but she knew she wanted to. "Also, since I signed off on this house for my good friend, Mr. Walson. The bank is calling me about a loan of three-fifty that was requested." Mrs. Walson almost fell over into the dirt. " You've gone pale."

"I know. I wanted to take out a loan for the house because you see... Elowen is... planning on going to a college out of state." Mr. Gardner smiled widely. "Yes! But I've come across some extra money so the request can be canceled."

"Congratulations, Elowen!" She put on a fake smile for the man. "That's amazing. I'll call the bank and tell them right away. I just had to make sure that I wasn't signing off on a loan for some stranger. It's very unlike for you to get loans unless things are getting tight." He winked at them both. "Also, stop by and see the baby." Mrs. Walson nodded. "I didn't mean to bring this piece of junk to your front yard either. I was driving to the market and thought I'd stop by."

Elowen waved at him. "Sorry for forgetting, Mr. Gardner!" He tilted his hat at her.

"I'll see you around, Mrs. Walson. You've got a smart one on your hands." He walked off to his car and sped down the street the moment he could.

Mrs. Walson turned quickly on her heels and zoomed past Elowen without saying a word. Elowen knew an apology wouldn't work. She just closed the door and went to the couch to avoid an argument.

"I'm hungry!" Spencer screamed while running down the hall from her shared bedroom.

Elowen sighed as she watched her youthful siblings enjoying themselves. On the other hand, Elowen was fifteen and tired all the time. Her exhaustion went to the point where moments with Philip weren't as filling as they used to be and sleep seemed to not have a long enough sentence. She knew she had a mistake growing in her stomach and she was already too attached to even think about giving it up. Even if it did put wrinkles on her mother's forehead; Mrs. Walson didn't want to think about the idea either.

"I'm gonna go lay down. Wake me up when dinner is ready?" Her mother watched her drag her feet to her room, they both had upside-down smiles on their face. Spencer munched on a carrot and shrugged before digging for another one.