ANOTHER KIND OF DIAMOND (41 page)

But in a short time romance glinted like it was something bound to happen and because both were ready, it continued on a steady and good beat. The couple seemed well-matched in many ways and because of that found comfort in each other’s company. Happiness Carissa lost a long time returned and she blossomed into the beautiful girl she truly is.

Their lives continued in this manner for some time until this peculiar day. It was a Sunday to be precise, Carissa did not go to work as usual and Ray was gonna stay the night like he does sporadically. And considering his personality, this was yet another get together filled with fun and all kinds of activities he creates. They played different games, did some paintings and jokes which was Ray’s specialty. Finally they went out for dinner at Carissa’s favorite place.

Back home, Ray slipped in Lionel Richie’s ‘Ballarina Girl into a DVD and both relaxed with it. While the music runs, she heard his gentle voice again, Carissa! Instantly she turned in his direction anxiously waiting for what he was going to say because something about the way he said her name at that moment, indicated a special message was on the way.

Don’t you think you’ll be better off without this brothel job?

Why are you saying that to me now Ray? I thought you took me for who I’m!

I don’t like seeing you among these girls doing all kinds of shit with men at the parlor any more. I kind of get hurt by that sometimes and don’t think is the best job out there for a girl I’m going out with.

I don’t get what this is all about Ray! She emphasized.

Babe, what I mean is you don’t have to put on those red cloths any more, okay? Ray continued.

You think I like what I do? You really believe I enjoy it? Carissa retorted. Well, if you must know, I don’t! But it just happens that I’ve got bills to pay and this is the only means I can use right now.

I know you’ve got bills to pay. Ray continued. I understand all that you are trying to communicate.

Fine! I appreciate the way you told me your mind though but how am I gonna pay those bills if I don’t work, eh? Carissa continued.

That’s not the only job there is in the world, he insist.

Ray listens; I’ve tried doing other things before settling with this, okay? I don’t have the schooling so no job gives me enough money to pay my bills like this this thing I’m doing right now, understand?

You are not gonna be doing things all by yourself anymore.

What do you mean by that? Carissa asked, anxious to hear what is coming.

I’m considering taking our relationship to another level, Carissa?

And what do you have in mind?

Something more serious than what we’ve got right now! I want us to get real close.

Ray we are already close, get what I’m saying?

I know, but even closer like man and wife.

What? She said excitedly. You mean………

Yes I mean to make you my wife, he intruded.

Are you serious? You mean you wanna marry me? Me! Carissa!

Yes! In my opinion the past doesn’t matter that much, is the present that counts, and what I look forward to is a great future together. This is gonna be our focus from now on Carissa. I’ve been with you long enough to know you are a good girl deep inside. Actually I’ve to confess that I’ve been seeing you around here for a while so even though you might not have noticed, it is been a long time your beauty captured my attention. I know what you do, I know where you go, and I’ve been watching the way you carry on with things and something within me is convinced a good girl is hidden beneath. Circumstances mislead not only you but many others and for some to their death but the brave and the lucky surpassed that. And whenever I look at you I see someone in the hands of providence, a providence that will now polish and furnish her in new design if she permits.

Ray I didn’t really get all that you said ‘cause you spoke in high English kinda and I don’t have the schooling it takes, Carissa added.

Don’t worry! It’s all gonna be a thing of the past pretty soon. You’ll go back to school as soon as you can. How about that?

Yeah! That’s what I’ve always wanted! But my problem is I don’t even have the fucking GED.

We can start by dropping the F-word Carissa.

Why?

For politeness and self-respect! There is a reason you don’t hear such words used in the class room or in the church. No preacher preaches with the F-word to his congregation unless it is used for emphasis. Likewise no English teacher teaches his students F-word either. It is not the language for the refined mind!

I know! You are right! Carissa said in subdued manner. I hate doing these things sometimes but when you’ve been in a crowd where things are done in a certain way for so long, you tend to flow with the Joneses or say get carried away. But like I was saying, I don’t have GED, understand? So what school is gonna accept me like that?

You can go get it. It’s not that hard. By working together we can achieve whatever goal we set out for ourselves. I mean we need to complement one another with a common goal in focus. You know, life is a very serious business and we got to handle it that way as a couple or we miss our step and fall by the way side. For someone like me, I think it is always better two than one especially when that two can merge as one.

Ray what kind of job do you do yourself ‘cause you have not told me. Remember I constantly ask you and you keep saying you’ll keep it for another day. I guess this is that another day and I really wanna know especially now we are getting real serious.

You are right! I’m a school teacher, Ray responded.

Really! That’s so cool!

I’m happy you appreciate. You know what I plan next? Ray asked.

What? Carissa asked and moved even closer to lean on his shoulders.

To propose to you formally in the presence of your room mates on any day you choose because I want them to know when you get engaged to me and start giving you the respect you deserve. What do you think?

I think is great! That being the case since everyone is at home right now, can we do it tonight?

That’s not a problem but we don’t have the ring, Ray reminded her.

She laughs. Oh yes! I forgot! Ok then, we do it next Sunday. How about that?

That’s a good idea! Get ready for your future babe Ray said with a kiss.

Carissa couldn’t just wait for that Sunday to come around but the day took it’s time until without choice it dropped on her feet. As usual her roommates were in the living room, watching the TV and chattering that Sunday when she walked in. I have a surprise for you girls tonight’ she announced. But Cindy and Rita took it as one of those put-ons they were all used to. Again, it was Cindy who spoke first.

What you got honey? She asked in casual disposition.

Ok girls! Listen! What do you guys think about marriage and babies?

Marriage and babies! Cindy exclaimed. Is that what you call surprise? I’m even scared right now just for the mention of it!

Come-on Cindy! Get serious, okay? What do you guys think about marriage and babies?

Sucks!!! That’s what I think, Cindy continued. Those are not for me ‘cause they mess up a woman’s body and get you strapped on a sport and I don’t want that to happen to me, understand? I don’t even understand why people do that shit ‘cause the whole damned thing always ends up in one bullshit or another, get what I am saying? I love myself too much and like the kind of life I’m living, okay? I’m never gonna trade that for nothing! No one single man is gonna get this, she signaled by showing off her body. Anyways Carissa, I know you are full of intrigues, so, what’s up with you tonight. I’m ready to buy anything you wanna sell but don’t tell me you are getting married or pregnant cause I know is not gonna work.

You don’t know shit about me Cindy? Carissa reacted.

Come-on Cindy! Marriage is not a bad idea. If there is anything wrong with it is with the kinds that pair, understand? Rita added.

I don’t understand bullshit, alright? What I’m feeling though is that Carissa is got some up her long sleeves and I want to get the whole gist. So girl what’s really up on your sleeves? Continued Cindy,

While the girls continued talking, Ray walked into the living room and with a ring in his hands went on his knees before Carissa and popped the question. Carissa will you marry me?’

Yes! Yes! She shouted with joy to the amazement of her friends. Then she ran to her room, back with a bottle of Champaign and Ray Popped that too. In disbelieve, Cindy reluctantly joined the others in a toast to for better for worse after which Ray walked back to the room with Carissa.

After a while, Carissa turned to Ray and said; I wanna move in with you right away. What about that? But Ray discouraged that. No! Not until we are married properly in the court or church whichever one we decide, he said.

Does it really matter? Carissa asked.

Yes! It matters to me. I want a responsible relationship with the one I love and to my understanding, true love should ultimately finalize in a wedding, Ray responded. They argued over the matter for a while with Ray doing everything he could to convince her.

I don’t think it really matters. This wedding thing is some kind of stuff made up by business people to market their wares and make money. You can live with someone and have babies without this wedding thing, Carissa insists.

You are wrong Carissa! Ray said. For me a wedding should be the foundation for a family life since is the ultimate commitment a man and woman must make to bind till death do both part except where there is something in it that threaten the live of either of the couple or both of them. I’m not saying everyone understands it but that won’t change a thing. Some may be doing it for wrong reasons, but that still won’t change anything.

I see you’re a good teacher already! Carissa finally gave in. And know what, I’ll do exactly what you say!

Good! First I want you back to school soonest.

Carissa heart leaped for joy the moment Ray said that. I’m thinking of going for CNA after I make my GED since it is a very short route. After that, I’ll work for a while, make you some babies and try to become an RN. That’s my ultimate goal.

Eventually the couple settled for a church wedding. Though not something so expensive but was good by all standard. However, the best turn in events for Carissa on that day was the presence of Aunt Monica. It was at the reception ceremony that she noticed her for the first time and had to work extra hard to restrain herself from breaking protocol by jumping off her seat beside her husband, run to Monica and give her a big hug. Instead, she turned to Ray, look! She said with a finger pointed at Monica.

Ray could immediately sport a pretty face masked by time smiling and staring at him. That’s my Aunt over there Carissa informed him.

I can tell! The similarities are quite obvious. Oh I’m so glad she made it! Ray added.

It was time for the couple to take to the floor for the bride and groom’s dance and that provided Carissa the opportunity to be with her Aunt for a while. Both have a lot of catching up with events to do but that had to wait for another time. Aunt Monica was so happy the way her niece turned out and expressed it wholeheartedly in the way she managed a dance of a very old lady. For Carissa, that was very rewarding and truly, the greatest gift on her wedding day.

The honeymoon was relatively long because it was what they wanted. But it’s all over now and the couple settled to their lives.

Carissa made her GED and concluded a one and half month training for certified Nursing Assistances before the wedding. Good enough, she found the kind of job she loved so much soon after and for that reason her life seemed to have materialized in a more positive way as it continued to unfold before her eyes. It is now the eighth month into their lives together as married couple yet for both it’s like they met just yesterday.

This peculiar day that started in a hospital visit eventually ended in even more joyful moments for the couple. Ray wasn’t sure at first what was going on with his wife as they rode to the Doctor’s office but then, that moment the Doctor broke the news of his wife pregnancy is one Ray will remember for a long time as tears of joy flowed through their eyes. For Carissa her happiness was boundless for obvious reasons. Apart from the joy of a mom to be in the hands of a loving husband, she had always nursed a secret fear that she may have difficulties making babies considering her past. However, now that she is certain she can give a child to Ray, she blessed God for his mercies for a lost but found soul. And in due time a beautiful baby girl named Christiana arrived to join a happy home.

Chapter Twenty-Four
 

H
oney do you need some snacks? Mrs. Ache asked her husband. I know you must be tired! That was a very good sermon you delivered in church today!

You read my mind at all times no matter where I may be! I know that for sure! A cup of coffee and few biscuits would do for now since it’s almost lunch. And she was quick to take him a nicely made cup of coffee that tasted Just the way Ache likes it.

What are those papers you are going through? She asked the moment she moved closer to her husband.

Oh! They have to do with yesterday’s fund raising event.