Page 18 of Soaring and Saucy

And Lance did.

He told his mother about everything, every moment leading up to the marriage, leaving out all of the more sordid details – and surprisingly brought up how bitter he felt when he left the hotel.

“She hurt your feelings.”

“Mom, I’d have to care to have feelings about it.”

“Don’t put on that brave face with me, Lance. I know you better than you know yourself,” his mother chuckled. “Now, where is Stephanie?”

“I don’t know,” he whispered. “I know she’s from Louisville, but I didn’t bother to ask for her phone number or anything else.”

“I see.”

“Mama, I never expected any of this to happen or for it to stick. I’ve made so many mistakes in the last twenty-four hours that…”

“Enough,” his mother interrupted quietly. “Enough with the ‘poor me’ attitude because that selfishness is why you don’t have your new bride’s contact information. Here’s what you are going to do – nothing.”

“Wait… I don’t think I heard you right.”

“Lance, don’t you do a thing right now, do you hear me? Trust me when I tell you that you need to let sleeping dogs lie and stop charging into the middle of a mess waiting for someone to notice you.”

“But…”

“I’m not finished, young man,” his mother retorted, and he chuckled tearfully, remembering how he’d said something very similar to Stephanie. “You are going to let things calm down. Let her file the marriage license because it’s a done deal – and you don’t know if there is going to be a baby or if she’s about to go running to the police saying that you’ve crossed a line physically.”

He put his hand over his forehead, letting his head sag slightly as he held the phone to his ear, listening.

“If she contacts you, then you need to put your best foot forward – because this girl sounds like she isn’t going to be a pushover. The only reason she might contact you would be if there is a child. So you better drop your bruised ego at the door if you ever want to be involved in the baby’s life.”

“Mama, I’m not sure I want to be a father.”

“Well, you should have thought of that before you had sex or got married. How many times have I told you to be careful? We’ve had this discussion a few times over the years, ever since you were fourteen years old, learning about the changes in your body. This is not something we’ve ever shied away from because it’s serious – and I think you understand that now.”

“What if I look up every bank in Louisville and just start calling, asking for her, and try to get ahead of this…”

“Do you think stalking some poor girl is going to change whether she’s pregnant or not? Do you think it will magically make you suddenly single? No. Don’t hunt her down. Bide your time and call me if she reaches out.”

“Oh?”

“Because then we’re going to have another heart-to-heart, but in the meantime – I need you to do something.”

“What’s that?”

“Go sign up for base housing or start looking for a place to live nearby.”

“I live on a ship,” he blurted out, confused.

“If Stephanie is pregnant, things are going to change. You might as well get on the waiting list – but that is the only thing I want you to do right now, okay? Don’t panic. Breathe.”

“I’m trying.”

“I know you are struggling with all of this, and you’ve always been stubborn, wanting things to go your way… but this is out of your control now. You are going to have to be patient and see what happens next so you can take control of your life once more.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he whispered quietly, feeling a little better.

“Oh, and Lance?”

“Yeah?”

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