Page 126 of The Genius
“That was Marco.”
My mom closed her eyes. “I blame myself. It was a mistake to allow you and Rochelle to go to that school in the first place. Look at the mess it’s gotten you into.”
“Mom, I’m very happy with Marco.”
“Women haven’t needed men to be happy in centuries. It’s a phase, and I promise you one thing; you’re not going to be happy when you are bored out of your mind from not working.”
“But the child will keep me busy. Maybe it would be good for me to take a break,” I said with my best poker face on.
“No, it wouldn’t. I know you, Shelly, and you would be miserable if you didn’t work.”
She was right about that. But I didn’t admit to it.
“Some people would thrive with being home with a baby all day, but you’re not like that. Don’t give up on everything you care about just because you’re having a child. I had you and Rochelle, and I still lived my passion and contributed to society. You can too. Please don’t give up on your dreams when you’ve worked so hard for them.”
“I understand that you’re disappointed, but at least I kept my promise. I haven’t married him, even though Marco has asked me several times.”
“That’s good. Marriage is redundant.”
“Yes. I’ve told him that it doesn’t matter. I mean it’s just a title anyway. The important thing is that we live together and raise our child together. Marco is such a warm and wonderful person, Mom. You’re going to love him. He said that he would work two jobs to support me and the baby.”
“Shelly, listen... listen…” My mother, who was normally always calm and articulate, was out of words. Pulling at her collar, she waved a hand in front of her face as if to cool herself off.
“Are you okay, Mom? You’re not having one of those hot flashes again that you talked about, are you?”
“Stop talking about hot flashes. I’m trying to think of a way to solve this awful situation you’ve put yourself in, Shelly. I can’t believe you would even consider giving up your career.”
This was exactly what I had been planning for. Ever since I was a toddler, my mom had been invested in my academic brilliance.
“Did you say he would work two jobs?”
“Yes.”
“But honey, why would you let him work two jobs instead of contributing yourself? How is that teamwork?”
“It’s complicated. The thing is that I would be the only pregnant woman who isn’t married in this country, Mom. Marco is taking it pretty hard and once the other Nmen find out, he’s going to be under a lot of pressure and ridicule.”
My mother tucked her hair behind her ear. “What does that have to do with you working?”
“I just thought it was a way for me to show Marco how committed I am to him and our child. He knows how much I love my work and that it’s a huge thing for me to give up.”
“No. I won’t let you. You can’t give up your work.” My mom sounded frantic. “Shelly, listen to me, darling. Maybe it would be better if you came back and took some time to reflect on the whole thing.”
“Sorry, Mom, but this isn’t a rash decision. I’ve taken time to think about it. Marco was against my giving up my job.”
“He was? Then you should listen to him.”
“He understands that it’s my way of compensating for not being able to marry him.”
“Then marry him. As I see it, it’s the lesser of two evils. Just please don’t give up your career.”
“You don’t mean that!”
“I do. You can work and have a child at the same time. I did.”
“You think so?”
“I know it.”
