Chapter 50-No Contact

I tried calling Marcus several times but he kept sending my calls to voice mail.  He was so angry when he left, I just wanted to explain to him, to make things right.  I left Carter a message asking him to call me, but he was working a double at the hospital.  I showered and decided to just turn in early.  I heard someone knocking on the door when I got out of the shower, I quickly dressed hoping it was Carter.  Instead I found David standing there.

"Carter asked me to come over and check on you."
His eyes lingered on my chest.  Being pregnant had made them bigger now I wished I had grabbed my robe since the shirt I was wearing was a little thin.  I protectively crossed my arms in front of me trying to cover myself.
"Thanks, but I'm fine.  Just getting ready to go to bed."  I hoped he would take the hint and leave but I was not that fortunate.
"Looks like I got here right on time?" What he was insinuating gave me the creeps.  After the day I had, the last thing I wanted was to be hit on by him.
"I'm really tired David.  Thanks for stopping by."  I opened the door and waited for him to leave.  He stole one last glance before muttering good night and leaving.  Just him looking at me made me feel dirty.  I could not comprehend how he and Carter were friends.

The morning came and went, Marcus didn't come by.  He hadn't return my messages and my calls were being sent to voice mail. 
"He'll come around.  He won't want to miss out on seeing you."  I said rubbing my belly.  I doubted the truth of my words but I had to hold on to something.  I spent the day trying to paint, but didn't have any inspiration so I cleaned instead.  Carter invited me over to watch some new action movie.  He didn't want me sitting around the house moping all day.

When I got there he apologized as soon as I walked in the door.
"I didn't know he would be home.  He said he was going to be out."
David and some girl that didn't look like his girlfriend were making out on the couch. 
"Don't worry.  We'll take our party to my room.  Amari, you're welcome to join us." He said winking at me.  The girl he was with just giggled, she looked barely 18.
"Dave, leave her alone."
"Suit yourself.  You know where to come if you want to see some real action." He and the blonde retreated to his room.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault he's a creep."
"Has he called?"
I just shook my head.

"Don't worry he will.  From what you've told me he's not the kind of guy to not be around for his kids."  I was so glad Carter was not the I told you so type.  This could have all been avoided if I had just told him sooner.  We tried to watch the movie, but the noises coming from David's room were too loud and distracting.
"I'm gonna head home."
"Do you want some company?"
"No, I'm just going to take a nice hot bath and turn in early."
"Amari, he'll call."
"Thanks."  I gave him a hug and headed home.  I hoped Carter was right.

A week passed and still no word from Marcus.  I had quit trying to call him after three days.  Carter helped me get the baby room together.  I went for a nature theme, very gender neutral.  I loved it, and Carter had a great time helping me shop and put it all together.  It was a needed distraction.

Another two days passed and it was hard to keep hoping he was going to call.   When my phone rang one night I was got excited thinking finally it was him.
"Hello." I nervously held my breath waiting on a response.
"Amari, it's mom."  she sounded as if she had been crying.  My thoughts immediately went to George, had he told her or had Marisol done something.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"Why didn't you call and tell me?  I thought we had gotten to a better place."  I was confused, tell her what.
"Mom, what are you talking about?"
"Please don't try to lie anymore.  Lilian just left.  She was upset because she thought I knew and hadn't told her.  It took me nearly 15 minutes to get her to tell me what she was talking about."
It had never crossed my mind that Marcus would tell his mother, who told my mother. 
"You're pregnant again, with twins.  Amari what are you doing trying to single-handedly re populate the the city of LA?"
"No mom."
"Then explain to me your reasoning for continuing to have children out of wedlock.  This isn't how you were raised."
What could I say to her to help her understand my actions? I needed a believable lie.
"I guess I'm just trying to fill a void."
"A void?"
"Yes mom.  My sister died and instead of it bringing us closer as a family you and dad could barely look at me without crying.  I felt guilty for having her face and when I decided to leave, you didn't even try to talk me out of it.  So a void mom, for the family that I lost.  You and dad still had each other, but I was alone."  There was much more truth to my words than I expected.  There was a stunned silence from her end. 
"I'm sorry honey, I had no idea you felt that way."
"I know you didn't."
We spent the rest of the call talking about how my pregnancy was going.  She asked if Marcus and I were getting back together but I changed the subject.  We ended the call with her making plans to come out after they were born.  She didn't want to miss out on the younger years with these two.  I silently prayed she'd come alone.

It had been two weeks, and Marcus still hadn't been in contact with me.