Moving Out

"I've decided you need to move out by the end of the week."

Mary looked up from her book.  "Sorry, I missed that- what do I need to do this week?"

"Move out," Doris repeated.

Mary felt her stomach- or perhaps the child in her womb- jump.  "I don't understand.  Haven't I done what you asked?"

"I thought you'd only be here for a few weeks, but now that you've started showing...  My children are asking questions, wanting me to tell them why you're getting so big, how come you're having a baby if you're not married."

"Why not just tell them Joseph is the father?"

"It's not that simple."  Doris sighed as she picked up a plate Mary had left on the side table; Mary had been waiting until the current round of cramps died down to take it to the sink.  "I'm raising my kids to have good morals, and I'm worried you're setting a bad example."

"I see."  Mary wanted to start yelling, but she saw the two kids playing in the next room.  No sense upsetting them.

"You understand, I thought you'd have gone home by now."

"Joseph has to stay in town for work, you know that."

"Yet his 'work' still hasn't earned him enough to get an apartment for the two of you?"  Doris made air quotes at the word "work" and Mary fought down another scream.  "I am sorry to have to do this, Mary, but I just don't see any other way.  I'll be happy to give you a reference if your next landlord needs one."

"That won't be necessary, Doris, you've done enough."

Joseph paced in the small basement room as he took in the news.  "The end of the week.  So, four days, then."

"Five.  Remember, the week starts on Sunday for them."

"Five days.  What are we going to do, then?"

"We'll figure something out.  We always do."

Joseph laughed and shook his head.  "Ever the optimist.  But then you'd have to be, to deal with what you're going through.  She still thinks I'm the father, right?"

"Everyone does.  They'd think I'm crazy if I told them about the angel."

"I don't blame them.  Half the time, I think the whole thing's a delusion, or something happened with some guy you don't remember, even after the angel told me the same thing.  Well, the truth is, it doesn't matter.  I love you no matter what, and if you're having a baby then I want to help you raise it.  I'll be the step-father, I guess.  Still, I kind of wish the angel of the Lord had given you more of a choice."

"But he did."  Joseph stopped and looked over at her.  "I never told you that part?"

"All I remember was an angel telling you that you were going to have a baby.  You're saying you could have said no?"

"I'm not sure I could have.  I mean, he said that it was God's will, but that it wouldn't be done unless I were able to bear the burden.  But then, he must have known that I would say yes, or why ask in the first place?  But if he hadn't asked, and just done it, then I probably would have fought back, so...  It's kind of complicated, when you're talking about someone who knows everything: he knows how you think before you do, so how much choice do you really have?"

Joseph fell into the hard-backed chair in the corner.  "Five days.  And only two months left until the delivery.  What are we going to do?"

Mary walked over and gave him a hug.  "We'll think of something.  God never gives you more than you can handle."

"You sure about that?"

"Not exactly.  But I have faith.  God wants this done, so let it be.  We all have a role to play."

"I guess we do.  Yours is a lot clearer.  All I know about mine is I'm supposed to be with you."  He gave her a kiss and turned out the light as they went to bed.