Chapter 28
At the Steakhouse there was a special offer. “Really if I eat all 50 ounces I’ll get the meal for free?” She heard Thomas ask the waiter.
“Yes sir, but you also have to eat the roll, baked potato, and coleslaw that comes with the order. In other words your plate has to be empty to win.” The waiter explained.
“What do you say Frank? Let’s try the challenge!” Thomas said looking over at Sally’s father.
“Well I am pretty hungry but I’m not sure I can eat all that meat along with all the other food. It’s pretty expensive if you don’t finish it.” Her dad stated.
“The meal is on me. We’re here to celebrate!” Silas said.
Her father looked at her mother, and she rolled her eyes. Sally had to laugh, her father had always wanted to try the challenge the few times they had come here. But he wouldn’t because of the cost of the meal if you didn’t win.
“He’s always wanted to try it.” Sally said explaining her laughter.
“Great. It’s settled then. We’ll have two of the challenges.” Thomas told the waiter.
“Yes sir.” He said and took the other orders.
“So do you really think you can eat all that food?” Martha asked her husband.
“When you were in the hospital I barely ate, and I’ve never really had a nice big meal in quite some time. I want to try it just for fun.” Thomas explained.
They all talked around the table. Silas squeezed her leg under the table. “I’m shocked you didn’t try the challenge too.” Sally said to him.
“No, I don’t want to be too full as I have some plans tonight!” He whispered, giving her a wicked smile.
“Do you now, and what may they be?”
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I’m going to make love to you.”
She felt her body get warm at his words. She smiled at him and kissed his cheek.
“So Silas your father told me that you have the best divorce attorney working the case. How long do you think it will be before you go to court?” Her father asked him.
“I’m hoping for an update from him by tomorrow. She had to have responded by now.” Silas explained.
“You mean your ex-wife right?” Sally’s mother asked him.
“Yes, she only has so many days to contest the divorce and if she doesn’t respond, the divorce will be processed as a default. I know for a fact she won’t let that happen. It would mean I got everything I wanted from the divorce.” Silas explained.
“In other words, she’s a greedy girl and she will try to get as much money from Silas as she can.” Thomas commented from across the table.
“Oh I see.” Her mother shook her head. “Well we hope that you have a fair judge then.” She commented.
“She most likely won’t get as much as she wants. Not with the information I have.” Silas stated.
At her mother’s confused face, Sally explained further, “She was caught in compromising positions with another man. Silas has pictures and it will help out his case a lot.”
“Oh what a horrible thing to have happen to you! I’m very very sorry. Some women just don’t know how to respect their marriage vows anymore. It’s sad to see how many people cheat on their spouses nowadays.” Her mother said.
“I blame it on movies and television shows.” Martha said, “They are always showing it and now people have become accustomed to it, as if it’s a normal thing to do.”
“I know what you mean.”
Sally drifted out of the conversation as she felt a bit dizzy. She leaned over on Silas to keep her balance.
“Are you okay honey?” He asked.
“Just a little dizzy is all, I’ll be fine.” Sally answered.
The rest of the table had focused on what had happened, and her mother said, “How long have you been feeling this way?”
“A few days and not all the time just every once in a while.”
“Any other symptoms?”
“Just really tired, I feel like I never can get enough sleep.” Sally admitted.
“I’m sure my son has something to do with that!” Thomas laughed.
Sally was embarrassed for a second, but saw no looks of judgement around the table. Her mom was still studying her closely. Sally knew she was trying to decide what herb to give her to help her feel better.
“You know I didn’t realize it before, but you have a glow about you. When was your last period?” Her mother asked.
“I don’t know, I have to think about it a few minutes.” Sally said honestly.
“Hmm, I think you are with a little one. It explains the symptoms, and you really don’t look sick. No in fact you look very healthy.” Her mom said.
“Pregnant.” She heard Silas say quietly.
She couldn’t tell if he would be happy about it or not. Sally felt her heart drop a little. What if he didn’t want kids? Then she remembered how Silas had been upset that Jackie was taking birth control since the beginning of their marriage, so surely he wouldn’t be upset if she was having his child.
“You know what I think you may be right.” Martha said to Sally’s mom.
“We can stop and get a test at the corner store. I think they even have ones you don’t have to wait to do in the mornings.” Greta commented.
The meals came and the two men looked down at the huge plate of food in front of them.
“I have never seen a baked potato this big in my entire life. They have it on a separate plate.” Thomas commented at the mound of food in front of him. “Let’s get to it Frank, we’ll cheer each other on!”
“Okay, good luck!” Her father dug into the food, trying to eat all of the meat first. “You know those challenge shows we watch might just pay off after all.” He commented.
“Sure Frank.” Greta patted his arm.
Sally picked at her food, feeling like she might get sick. She started to think about it and had to agree with her mother’s diagnosis that she might very well be pregnant.
She looked over at Silas, he smiled at her.
“Will you be happy if I am pregnant?” She whispered to him.
He kissed her and said, “Of course sweetie. Why would you think I wouldn’t be? I’ve always wanted kids.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. But continued to pick at her food slowly. Half way through she excused herself and went to the bathroom. Her food came up, “yep I’m pregnant.” She said with confidence.
Going back to the table, she was asked by everyone if she was okay.
“I think you may be right mom. I just had my first bought of morning sickness, or rather night sickness in this case.” Sally announced.
“We will still get the test to make sure.” Silas said as he kissed her. “You will make a wonderful mother.”
“Thank you.” She said.
Sally looked to see the progress both Thomas and her father had made on their meals. She was shocked to see that they were both doing very well. Almost all of their steaks were gone, and Thomas had most of his baked potato gone.
“How in the world have you both eaten so much?” Sally asked.
“I was just about to say the same thing.” Martha said.
“Trust me it is not easy. I don’t think I can eat much more for a few days.” Thomas commented.
“Come on dad you can do it.” Sally said cheering him on.
In the end both of them didn’t finish, though they got very close. Her father stopped complained that he was far too full, “I’m done it’s up to you now Thomas.”
Thomas looked down at his plate and shook his head, “I think you’ve might have won this one.”