Thank you, everyone who is reading this series for taking time out of your day to read something I wrote. I am awed, and appreciative of you and your support. I am now presenting Chapter 8; I hope you enjoy it.
There are two more chapters left. Chapter Nine is almost done. I'm excited to see where it takes me.
Again, thank you for reading.
Gianni called Mr. MacGregor as soon as he made it back to his apartment. He was nervous and so afraid of disappointing the one man that ever kept his word to him. Then he remembered what Mr. MacGregor told him when he was at the center.
"A man faces his problems head on. He doesn't hide, make excuses, or blame others. He might flounder a bit, but in the end, he stands tall and strong."
So Gianni took a deep breath and dialed. Shaun answered and Gianni explained his situation. He didn't reply at first. Gianni was nervous, as he waited. Then Shaun carefully spoke, "I wish you had waited before fathering a child. I am so proud of you for being the man I knew you would be. Know this I will always be there for you Gianni, always. I will gladly call Reverend Johnson and talk. Thank you for honoring me this way.
Gianni sighed, relieved. He wasn't harsh or cruel. He understood.
Just like Momma, they both understood.
He wanted to talk to Ms. Delia, but she was asleep. She'd call him tomorrow and he'd get an earful/ Gianni bid his mentor goodnight, and went to bed. He couldn't sleep as his mind raced trying to make sense of all the changes that had occurred this day.
Shaun called Reverend Johnson the next morning and made plans to drive over for dinner that night. They picked Gianni up and drove over to the Johnson's home for dinner. Momma, and Delia instantly bonded with the Johnson women and quickly accepted Kara in the folds. As the women took Gianni and Kara to the living room to bond, Reverend Johnson invited Shaun to his office.
"Well, Mr. MacGregor, I am glad to meet you. Your son is an honorable and strong young man. You did a great job raising him."
Shaun smiled, "Thank you, but he's not my son by birth. I met him several years ago when I became a mentor. He is a d=strong young man. His mother deserves the real praise for that."
Reverend Johnson," Shaun spoke. "I am not much of a church goer, but what are you really feeling about this? I know Gianni, and he is not some careless philanderer."
"Wait my name is Otis. Call me Otis. I'll call you Shaun. If that's alright." he stated.
Shaun nodded. The two men continued to talk. Otis explained to Shaun what the repercussions of this pregnancy would be. However, as upset as he was about that, he was hoping that Gianni would do what was honorable and marry his daughter. Shaun didn't see why they had to marry. With support from both families they would be fine. Once they really got to know each other, they could decide to marry. Shaun and Otis talked a long time before the two men agreed to disagree. Shaun felt marriage because of pregnancy was a sure way to disaster, but Reverend Johnson believed that marriage was necessary and right in the sight of God. In the end both men decided to let Gianni and Kara decide what was best for them.
He told Shaun of Gianni's offer to cover Kara's tuition for her final year. He was amazed at how mature he was. Shaun then sat back, and took a deep breath. He explained to this man who would now be an important member of his family from now on.
"Gianni has had it hard. I almost lost him before I even knew him. He isn't my biological son, but he is the son of my heart. He and his other brothers mean the world to me and I will move heaven and earth to protect them. That young man has stood on his own since he was fourteen years old. He was incarcerated when he turned fifteen.
His mother, Maria, signed up for a mentoring program through the courts and that's when I met this angry, small, fifteen year old boy." Shaun chuckled, "He was so scared that he struck out at everything around him. He didn't trust me at first; I had to earn his trust. He eventually learned that he could. I made that kid a promise and I intend to keep it. I gave him a card that said,
"You will never be alone again. I will stand with you. If you make two steps, I'll make four."
MacGregor exhaled. "He called me and said you wanted to meet his father. That above all else is the biggest honor he could have given me. So, if he promised you that he would pay her tuition, it's paid. She will finish school and both she and the baby will want for nothing."
Reverend Johnson was stunned, speechless. "MacGregor, I will take care of my daughter and my grandbaby. You need not worry about that. I know Gianni is an upstanding God fearing young man. I have nothing but respect for him. After hearing about his beginnings my respect for him has grown tenfold. I am honored to welcome you and yours into the Johnson family. Now how about we go out and let the women know what we've decided." He suggested.
Shaun laughed, "Otis, you've been married for how long?"
The reverend puffed out his chest, "My lovely Donna and I will celebrate twenty-seven years next month."
Shaun chuckled, "Congratulations and she lets you think you are making the decisions. She's good."
Both men laughed and went to join their wives. Donna served dinner, along with help from Delia and Maria. There other two daughters arrived with their kids. Shaun and Delia loved meeting the little ones. It made them think about grandchildren of their own. And all of the women talked to Gianni and Kara.
Shaun and Otis sat quietly watching the interaction. Then Shaun decided to speak. "Kara have you seen a doctor?"
Slightly stunned, she answered, "Yes, sir. We have a clinic at school I saw someone there."
"OK, well we need to fix that. Delia, Donna, can you two find an obstetrician she can visit? Don't worry about the cost, it's covered. Gianni, when they get the appointment, you need to accompany her." Shaun suggested. He remembered when Delia was pregnant with Michal, that the first thing his in laws did was find the right doctor for her.
"Yes sir, of course." Gianni answered, as Kara nodded in agreement with him.
Donna spoke and informed everyone that she had already called and set up an appointment for Kara; she was hoping Gianni would be able to come with them when they went. Then she smiled at the young couple who anxiously wanted to leave the room. They thanked her for her help and glanced anxiously at the door. Donna looked at her other daughters that had joined them, "Janice, Sharon, Kara, why don't you young people leave us old folks so we can talk. You too, Gianni, go." They all laughed at how quickly all four moved.
Maria hugged her son Kara before they could escape. She liked this girl. And it was obvious Gianni loved her.
The four left to allow the older adults to visit.
"Well, well, little sister. I see your halo is tarnished as well." her older sister Shelia taunted her.
Kara bristled. She never teased them; she supported them throughout their pregnancies. She was a about to retorted when Janice spoke up.
"Shelia lay off. At least her guy stuck around. Besides from what I heard she was lucky. Kara, that party you went to. Is the stories about the girls being drugged and raped true?"
