Working (It) Out

Later that evening, after working two shifts, Antonio came home to his small apartment, dimly lit by the lamp on the shelf that held their limited spices above the stove.  Trying not to wake Joy, he left his shoes outside the door and crept in. As in previous times when he worked late, Joy had left a plate of that night’s dinner on the small kitchen table.  Beyond the table, the curtains that divided their small full-size bed from the rest of the studio moved with the cool breeze that cooled their apartment from the hot Chicago summer.  As he moved the peas and carrots around his plate, he thought about the call that he had placed with the university regarding the job he had applied for a couple of weeks ago.  Saddened by the fact that they had offered the job to another candidate. By now, most academic places had already hired their staff for the next school year.  As Antonio became lost in his thoughts about his prospects for future employment, he hadn’t noticed Joy waking.  That when she caressed his shoulder, he jumped a bit, but then realizing it was her, he mustered up a smile. 

“What’s wrong, hon?” Joy asked. “Awe, nothing, just a long day at work. These double-shifts take a lot out of me,” he responded. With his back to her, Joy leaned in, placing her arms around his neck, hands cupping her elbows, and gently whispered in his ears, “I’m pregnant.” With that, Antonio lifted his wife’s arms, and turned within his seat to stand, pulled her close to him, looked her in the eyes, and said, “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

The next day, they woke up to the sounds of the city, made love, took a morning walk in the park, and talked about the excitement of a new baby.  Each not letting the other know how scared they were about caring for the baby and if they had the means to move to a larger place.  Today would be about enjoying all the things new parents pondered.  What would it be, a boy or a girl? Would she or he have David’s hazel eyes or Joy’s almond-shaped eyes? Would it have Joy’s light-colored hair or David’s curly brown hair?  On their walk back home, they picked up sandwiches from the deli, down the street from the park, and sat on the front steps of their apartment building drinking colas and eating their sandwiches. Later that evening, they gathered with Leonard and Irene for dinner and a bottle of wine to celebrate.  The next day, they called their parents to share the good news.

That Monday, Antonio, determined to provide for his family, approached his manager, Leonard’s father, to ask for a pay increase.  But, Leonard had already beat him to the punch, and his father, Mike, had already requested a pay increase for Antonio.  In anticipation of a pay increase and more hours, Mike shook Antonio’s hand, offered him a cigar, and welcomed the soon-to-be dad to the club.