Chapter 1

“Believe”
An inspirational fable
By Dayle Schear

    “But a twin-soul... there is but one in the whole universe. We were born to be together. That is our twin-soul. Only one, Joe, only one.” Mary stared deeply into Joe’s eyes.
      Joe grabbed Mary and kissed her. They made love all night long.
      The next morning she asked, “Well, Joe, what do you think?”
      “Only time will tell, Mary.” He smiled.
      Well, time did tell. Months swiftly turned into their one-year anniversary. Joe was more in love with Mary than ever. He couldn’t sleep for the want to be with her. His work was beginning to be affected. He had
to be with her, he had to have her.
      But Joe had a major conflict: he didn’t believe in marriage. He was both mother and father to his brothers and sister. He made a promise to himself he would never marry, but Joe never counted on falling in love with Mary. He wanted to live with her, but marriage was out of the question.
      Mary, on the other hand, was very traditional. She believed in marriage. She wanted a family. She wanted to grow old with Joe and within her heart and soul she knew Joe was her twin-Soul.
      Mary wasn’t feeling well lately; she decided to go to the doctor to see what was wrong. The doctor called her at home to let her know the results of her blood test. She was pregnant. Mary didn’t expect this; she and Joe had always used protection. The test must be wrong. She asked the doctor if she could take another test. Positive once more. She was confused.
      She wanted to keep this baby. She didn’t believe in abortion and she was sure Joe would be happy. He didn’t have to marry her right away, she thought. “A child of our own. I know Joe will be happy; he loves
me so much. I’ll tell him tonight over dinner.”
      Mary waited for Joe at their usual private table at Sardi’s. When he walked in, she noticed how handsome he was, dressed in a well-fitted gray suit, tie undone and top button loose on his shirt.
      Joe couldn’t wait to relax with a drink and Mary. He bent over and gave her a kiss on her cheek.
      “Hey, Babe, how was your day?”
      “Really good, Joe,” she replied.
      “Ready to order, Babe?”
      “Yes.” Mary moved closer to Joe, almost snuggling. She would tell him the news after dinner.
      The last course was served. Mary was starting to feel secure in her thoughts. “Joe, something happened today.”
      Joe looked into Mary’s eyes; he knew she was serious. “Tell me what's bothering you. Come on, I can handle it.”
     Mary hesitated for a second, then blurted out, “I’m pregnant.” She hung her head down.
      What came next was totally unexpected.
      “Pregnant! What!” He jumped up from the table. “Waiter! Check, I want
the check now!” he shouted.
      Mary tried to calm him. “Joe, sit down; let’s discuss this.”
     “There's nothing to discuss. I can’t handle this right now in my life. Mary, I love you so much, I just want it to be you and me. Don’t you understand? I don’t want kids. I raised my whole family. It’s my turn now.”
      Heads began to turn toward their table.
      “Joe, this was unforeseen, but there are no accidents. You know I believe this baby is meant to be. I want this baby. I don’t believe in abortion. Besides, this is our child,” she pleaded.
      Joe was unmoved. He drove Mary home in silence. When finally he spoke his voice had an edge to it.
     Joe was unmoved. He drove Mary home in silence. When finally he spoke his voice had an edge to it.
      “I have nothing to say to you, Mary. You know how I feel. Women, when they want to trap a man, they get pregnant. Well, it just won’t work. Do you understand? It won’t work.”
      Joe let Mary out of the car and muttered, “Later.” He drove off in a huff.
      Back in her apartment, Mary cried all night long.
      Days turned into agonizing weeks. Joe passed Mary in the hall at work on several occasions. He refused to look at her, refused to talk to her. There was nothing she could do.
      Mary was devastated, but she was strong in her beliefs. She was going to keep the baby. Every evening she hoped and prayed Joe would call. Not a word.
      The weeks turned into months, yet no word from Joe. He was determined to put Mary out of his mind.
      Joe was so distraught he telephoned his two brothers and sister and called for a meeting. Arriving in Long Island late that evening, he sat for hours explaining his situation.