Page 29 of A Night To Remember

“Teddy. I already said that,” She explained to her mom as if she were the adult and Charlie, the toddler. Kristy took her bear back and ran back to her grandparents. The kid was way ahead of her time.

“So how long are you guys staying?” Charlie asked.

“Well, we were hoping to stay for a few days and then we’re heading to Williamsburg. It’s so nice there around this time of year,” Delores said, tickling her giggling granddaughter.

“Oh. How long is a few days?” Charlie persisted. She loved her parents but she dreaded the lectures she was in store for this weekend.

Lecture number one came later that afternoon while Kristy was napping. Charlie and her parents were sitting in the backyard enjoying a glass of ice tea after an exhausting day in the park. Running after a two-year-old was exhausting for Charlie, so she could only imagine how her parents were feeling.

“Charlie girl,” her father began, affection evident in his voice. “I think you’re doing a fine job with Kristy.” Keith wiped the sweat from his dark forehead before taking another sip of his tea.

Charlie could almost sense what was coming. She folded her hands in her lap, waiting in tense anticipation for what he’d say next. “But?”

“But your mother and I have been thinking. A child needs a father and you don’t seem to be making much of an effort to provide Kristy with one. Aren’t you seeing anyone yet? I mean, you’re a beautiful young lady, and you’re young. I see no reason why you shouldn’t remarry, and maybe give Kristy a little brother or sister. Your mother’s and my one regret was that we could only have one child. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have any more. You’re only thirty-three.”

Charlie sighed heavily. Being from the old school, her parents never really approved of her bringing up a child on her own, especially since she refused to disclose the name of Kristy’s father. She knew they loved Kristy as much as any grandparent could, which is why they felt justified in thinking Charlie should do right by her daughter. Doing right by Kristy meant marrying again to provide her with a father.

“Dad, we’ve been through this before. I’ve been married before and I don’t feel I should have to get married again because I have a child.”

“Charlie, you’re being selfish. You don’t have just yourself to think about anymore. When I see you struggling on your own needlessly, it breaks my heart,” Delores piped in.

“Mom—”

“Don’t you ‘mom’ me. You have an adorable little girl who deserves a daddy. Since you won’t tell us who the father is, the least you can do is settle down and get married.”

“Don’t you think I’m doing a good enough job with her? Yes, there are things I’d like to give her that I’m financially unable to, but we do okay. If anything, I think I’m doing better than average. I own my own home, have a car, a good job and Kristy wants for nothing. Sometimes I have to make some sacrifices for her, but she’s worth it. This is the twenty-first century. Believe me, Mom and Dad, there are lots of single women raising children on their own and doing a great job of it.”

“And that is exactly what’s wrong with the world today. I’ve never been able to figure out what kind of man can impregnate a woman and not take responsibility for his child and the kind of woman who—” Her father broke off.

“What were you about to say, Dad?” Charlie challenged. “Were you going to say, what kind of woman would get herself in that kind of trouble? Were you implying I’m a loose woman?”

Keith looked away, his lips pinched together mutinously. “Now don’t t-take that tone of voice with me, young lady,” he stammered.

Charlie wiped away a stray tear. Sometimes dealing with her parents was emotionally exhausting. “I’m sorry, Daddy, but it really hurts when the two of you are constantly throwing Kristy’s illegitimacy in my face. I refuse to call her a mistake, because she isn’t.”

“No one said that,” her mother protested.

“You didn’t have to,” Charlie countered She sighed not wanting this argument to further escalate. “I know you two mean well, but I’m doing the best I can for my daughter.”

“No one is faulting how you raise Kristy. Anyone can tell that you’re doing an amazing job.” Delores patted Charlie on the hand. “And we don’t mean to make you feel bad. We just care about you, baby.

“Then why can’t the job I’m doing with her be enough? Look, I know you guys mean well, but Kristy is fine. She’s probably one of the most well-adjusted kids you’re likely to meet,” Charlie reasoned.

“We know she’s a good kid, but you deserve some help. Tangible things aside, you can give her a mother’s love, but just because she’s a girl, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t need a strong male figure in her life.” Delores pointed out.

“She has Daddy.”

Her father shook his head. “And how often do we come around?”

Charlie stood, knowing this conversation would go for another hour if she didn’t end it now. “I’m going to go check on Kristy. I hope we can drop this subject when I get back.”

No more was said about it for the rest of the afternoon, but Charlie knew that the subject was not closed.

Lecture number two came later that night after dinner. They had all gone out for seafood at a restaurant on the Wharf in D.C. After going out for ice cream, the four of them went back to Charlie’s house.

They were sitting around the living room chatting easily and watching television. Kristy was curled up fast asleep in her grandpa’s lap and Keith was snoring soundly. It didn’t escape her notice how Kristy seemed to favor her grandfather’s attention when he was around. Could what her parents said have some validity? Was it possible, Kristy already realized she didn’t have a father and wanted male attention. She was a bright child, and it certainly gave Charlie something to think about.

Charlie was happy to get through dinner without her parents once mentioning men, but she should have known her peace wouldn’t last.

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