Simply Complicated (19 page)

Jake had had enough. He yelled, “It
was
important to me then. I told you I was held up with a client. I thought you understood and accepted my apology. I didn’t think you would cancel our engagement party! So, what else did you cancel? Are we still engaged or did you change your mind about that as well?”

“Don’t even try it, Jake. If you were really concerned about our engagement party, you would have mentioned something to me before now. I’m not sure where all of this is coming from.

“If you want to end the engagement, just say so. You don’t have to start an argument to end things, simply tell me you want it to be over and it will be!”

Jake tried to pacify the conversation. “Camille, if I wanted it to be over between us I would say so. All I’m saying is that you should have talked to me before you cancelled the party.”

“I tell you what, if you’re serious about us and having an engagement party, then you plan everything. I’ll give you the number of the florist, caterer, and everyone else who can help put things together. I’ll even let you choose a date. What do you think about that?” said Camille with an attitude.

Jake was speechless. He didn’t expect her to say that. He allowed himself to get caught up in his emotions. He had no real intention of marrying her, but for a brief moment he forgot and allowed his feelings to get the best of him.

Five weeks passed and each time they spoke on the telephone or saw each other, he made no mention of an engagement party or getting married. She had decided that she wasn’t going to say anything to him. Of course, he was glad she remained silent.

The stress of her relationship with Jake had started taking a toll on her. One day after returning to work from lunch she had difficulty keeping her food down. She decided to leave work early and go home and get straight into bed. She had been feeling very tired and nauseated all day. She thought perhaps she was coming down with the flu.

As she lay in bed she began thinking long and hard about Jake. She began to realize that he didn’t want to get married. She decided that she was going to end things with him once and for all. Camille loved Jake, but knew their relationship had to stop.

After a few days she continued to have difficulty keeping her food down. Each time she had taken her temperature it would read normal. It finally dawned on her. She quickly went to the pharmacy and purchased a home pregnancy kit to confirm her suspicions.

All of this proved too stressful for her to handle alone so she invited Candace over to talk. When she arrived, Camille was not sure how she was going to confess about the baby. The last time they had met at Camille’s to talk was after she returned from Los Angeles a little over a month before.

“Is everything okay? You sounded strange on the telephone,” asked Candace.

“Yeah girl, I’m good. I’ve had a lot on my mind and you’re the only one I know I can count on,” said Camille.

“What is it, what’s the matter? Let me guess, you and Jake broke up again,” said Candace sarcastically.

“That’s not it, not exactly. I’ve just realized that Jake doesn’t really want to be with me and I’m not sure how to handle it. About a month ago I told him if he were serious about getting married, he would have to plan our engagement party himself.

“Well, he hasn’t said anything to me about getting married or about an engagement party. I’ve decided that I can’t take this relationship anymore and I need some pointers on how to end it.

“Besides, I know he is still messing around with other women. That’s why I flew to Los Angeles to see Paul,” Camille said.

Candace was confused. “Paul—where did he come from? You mean to tell me you went to Los Angeles again? You just came back a few weeks ago!”

“No. I haven’t seen him since then but we talk every day. When I was in Los Angeles he and I slept together and it was remarkable,” said Camille, smiling at the memory.

“What! How did that happen? Well, I guess I know how it happened. When you told me that he took care of you, you failed to mention that it was sexually.

“You made me believe that all you did was have dinner together and talk. You didn’t share that you slept with him. You did tell him you were engaged right?” Candace questioned.

“Yes, I told him but I don’t think it mattered. He said that he is in love with me and questioned my reasons for marrying Jake. I told him everything. I even explained how Jake stood me up the night we were to finalize the plans for the engagement party,” she said.

“I cannot believe you, Camille. Why would you sleep with him knowing how he feels about you? Paul seems like a really nice guy and I just don’t think it’s right to put him in the middle of your game with Jake.

“If you care for him at all, you’ll stop toying with him and taking advantage of his feelings for you,” Candace admonished.

Camille got defensive, “You’re one to talk about playing games. Didn’t you tell me that you’ve been trying to seduce a married lawyer that you work with? Ted?”

“Don’t change the subject. We’re not talking about me right now. All I’m saying is that Paul really seems to be into you and if you and Jake decide to call it quits, you don’t want to ruin ever having a chance with Paul,” said Candace.

“Well, it gets worse. I am pregnant and I’m not exactly sure who the father is. I really believe it’s Jake. I haven’t gone to the doctor yet to confirm what the home pregnancy test read.”

“What are you going to do?” Candace exclaimed.

“I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for Friday. Depending on how far I am will determine my next step. I know I’m going to keep it; I just want to make sure I have the right father,” Camille calmly explained.

“Who do you hope is the father? Or would you rather not say?” Candace asked.

Camille shrugged her shoulders, “I honestly don’t know. I really love Jake and I think a child will slow him down and make him commit to me and maybe even marry me. Paul, on the other hand, is nice and sweet and I do love him but I’m not
in
love with him. Although I’m sure it wouldn’t be difficult to fall in love with him.”

“I suggest you don’t tell either one you’re pregnant—at least not until you know for sure who the father is. Well, I hate to leave so soon but I really have to go. I have plans tonight and I need to get ready,” Candace advised, standing and beginning to gather her belongings.

“Wait a minute. Who are you going out with? The last person we talked about was Timothy,” teased Camille.

“He’s no one important. Just someone I met several months ago. Both of our schedules are so busy that we barely have time to see each other. Timothy and I still continue to date but not as often as he would like,” replied Candace.

“Well have a good time and I’ll call you in a few days to let you know what the doctor says,” Camille said, walking her friend to the door.

That Friday afternoon, Camille sat nervously waiting in the lobby for her doctor’s appointment. As she anxiously thumbed through old magazines, her telephone rang. To her surprise it was Jake.

She had not spoken with him in a few days. He told her that he had missed her and asked if she would be available to go out later that evening. He agreed to pick her up from her place around six.

As soon as they finished speaking, the nurse called her to the back. “So why do you need to see the doctor today?”

“I think I’m pregnant. I took a home pregnancy test and it came back positive.”

“Okay. We’ll draw some blood from you and you’ll have your answer soon.”

After the nurse finished drawing her blood, she directed Camille back to the waiting room to await the results. Thoughts crowded her mind. She liked the idea of being a mother, but she had hoped to be married when she had children.

After twenty minutes, the nurse called Camille back to the examination room. “You are pregnant.”

“Do you know how far I am?”

“Based on when you said you had your last menstrual cycle, you should be about five weeks.”

Camille wasn’t sure how to feel. Since she slept with both Jake and Paul around the same time, she still was unsure of the baby’s father. She didn’t know what to do.

Jake picked Camille up for dinner at 6:00 p.m. as planned. They went to their favorite Thai restaurant.

“How was your day, baby? I missed you,” said Jake.

“My day was good. Yours?” Camille asked in return.

“It was okay but it’s better now that I’m with you,” purred Jake, smiling and stroking her hand.

“Wow! That is almost believable,” joked Camille.

“Oh you have jokes. You know I love you,” he replied.

“Yeah, I know you do. So, what’s new or should I ask—
who
is new?” she said.

“Again, more jokes. Well nothing or no one is new. Listen, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I know you’re getting tired of how things are between us and I know you want more than what I’m giving you.

“I just need you to bear with me a little longer. I don’t want to lose you. I get the sense that you’re slowly pulling away from me,” said Jake, seeming sincere.

Camille took a deep breath, realizing this might be her only chance for honesty with Jake. “You’re right, Jake. I’m getting tired of waiting for you to decide what you’re going to do. I get the sense that you’re stringing me along with no real intentions of getting married or committing to me.

“I’ve been very patient and I’m not sure how much longer I can wait. It’s been nearly three years now since we have been in each other’s lives. How much longer do you need? I don’t want to lose you either but I feel if I stay with you, I’ll lose myself. If you could give me some indication as to how much more time you think you’ll need, then maybe I wouldn’t mind staying,” replied Camille.

“I’m not sure. I just know I want you in my life,” he said.

“I’m confused. I’m not sure what I want to do. I need some time to think, Jake. Give me a few weeks to decide what to do,” she replied.

“Fair enough,” said Jake.

As she ate her meal, she began feeling nauseated. She excused herself and went to the ladies room. She wanted so desperately to tell him that she was pregnant but she was afraid of what he might say. When she returned to the table there was a glass of her favorite wine waiting for her.

“Are you okay? I took the liberty of ordering you a glass of wine,” said Jake.

“Yes, I’m fine. I felt a little dizzy for some reason. Thanks for the wine but I don’t think I want any tonight,” replied Camille.

“Wow! That’s a first. Normally when I order this wine for you, you love it. Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Besides, I’m already lightheaded. I think I may be coming down with something,” said Camille.

“Well, if you’re finished we can leave. I’ll take you to my place and take care of you,” replied Jake.

Camille shook her head. “I’m finished but you don’t have to take care of me. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“You have no choice. Besides, I drove,” he said, laughing.

Jake took her to his place and insisted that she put on a pair of his pajamas and get into bed. She was pleasantly surprised that he offered to take care of her. It had been a long time since she saw this side of him. She had forgotten how gentle and caring he could be.

Around 12:30 a.m., Camille started feeling sick. She immediately ran into the bathroom to regurgitate. She was in there for nearly ten minutes. She had hoped Jake was still asleep and had not heard her.

As she returned to bed she looked over at him and he pretended to be asleep. He heard her in the bathroom and immediately thought about the possibility of her being pregnant.

Later that morning Jake woke up and started cooking breakfast. He began to wonder why she hadn’t mentioned anything if she was indeed pregnant. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to bring it up during breakfast or wait until he had a chance to talk to Ken for advice. He decided to wait.

When Camille finally woke up, she could smell the breakfast cooking. The aroma immediately brought her nausea back. She didn’t want to get sick again, especially since she knew Jake would start asking questions. She hurried into the bathroom to shower and get dressed. Although she felt nauseated she did not regurgitate.