In Name Only Read online

Ben looked over at Jana glaring at her when he heard her name.

  “She’s not what or who she appears to be, she fooled all of us with her sweetness and naiveté.”

  “Boy, if you don’t make yourself clear, you better,” his mother said perplexed.

  Ed stood silently listening.

  “What are you talking about Benjamin,” Georgie asked tersely.

  “She trapped me Mother, that’s what I’m talking about!” Ben said brashly to his mother.

  “Boy, you better tone it down!” His mother warned.

  “Sorry Mom,” Ben replied sheepishly.

  “Now tell me what’s going on?”

  “Well Mother, she just informed me she’s pregnant.”

  “What!” Every on said together. Ms Georgie and Jana sank down in the nearest chair mouth gaped open. Edmond shook his head.

  “Ben, are you the father?” he asked.

  “Yes that I’m sure of, unfortunately,” he said with cynicism.

  “What the hell do you mean unfortunately?” Ms Georgie shouted coming to her feet. Ben looked over at his mother.

  “I want nothing to do with her or the child,” Ben stated with obvious seriousness.

  “Ben you just can’t disregard your own child,” his mother replied her tone becoming sharp.

  “Oh, I’ll take care of it, I just don’t want anything to do with the child or the mother,” he answered shrugging his wide shoulders.

  “Now I know you have lost your mind!” his mother shouted at him throwing up her hands.

  “Mother why would I want to associate myself with her, she trapped me!” Ben replied to her, his voice hardened arrogantly.

  Silently Jana listened to Ms Georgie and Ben, she finally had heard enough. “Trapped you?” Jana blurted out. “Pray tell us Benjamin, how did she do that?” Jana asked sarcasms in her tone. Ben looked at Jana’s her eyes narrowed on him. “How Ben?” Jana prodded, “have you no answer Ben, you didn’t have to sleep with her, what did she do, did she tie you up, held you at gunpoint; if the marks on her neck and chest were indication of your duress, you were certainly trapped!” Ben stared at his sister in law stunned; Jana has never spoken to him that way.

  “Jana she could have used…”

  “What Ben, protection, so could you have,” Jana interrupted taking a breath. “I’m sorry, I love you brother, but your wrong about Sky, I’m pretty sure she just as devastated as you are, do you really believe she planned this, I doubt it, if anything you took advantage of her. You men kill me, so quick to blame the woman when something like this happens!” Jana turned away disgusted.

  “The bottom line is Ben,” Edmond said sensibly, “is your going to be a father, Sky carries a Smith and as you well know, family is important to us, whether you are with the mother or not.”

  “Okay Children,” Ms Georgie said. She turned to her younger son. “What now Ben?”

  “Mother I can’t have this scandal,” he stated

  “Scandal, is that what my grandchild is to you a scandal, is that how you truly feel?” His mother asked incredulously.

  “Yes mom, I’m a commissioned officer, with a top secret security clearance, I can’t have any marks on my permanent record, and I refuse to lose my clearance over this.”

  Georgie shook her head and sighed.

  “There is a solution to all this,” Edmond intervened. Everyone looked at Ed expectantly. “Marry her,” Ed said simply.

  “Hell no, I’m not marrying a woman who can manipulate me so easily!” he answered in a terse voice that forbade any more suggestions.

  “I think Benjamin that will be the only way to save your career,” his mother said not totally against the idea. She knew Sky, she was not the manipulator Ben was trying to make her out to be; and she knew her son, he was fighting because he felt forced into this dilemma.

  Ben stared at his mother stunned. Marry Sky, which was a ridiculous suggestion. His precious private world was unraveling, and he was going to fight with all his might to maintain his semblance of order.

  “Look at us, we are sitting here arguing about, how Sky wronged you, what about Sky? How is she?” Jana asked concerned.

  “I don’t know and really Jana I could care less.” He said in a harsh, raw voice.

  “I’m going to ignore that Benjamin,” Georgie replied, “I realize your angry right now, but I will not allow you, no I forbid you to be hateful to her, she didn’t ask for this any more than you did, do you understand me Benjamin!” his mother said with a deadly calm voice.

  “Mother...”

  “Do you understand me!” she yelled.

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Now tomorrow morning, you will go over to her house, and talk to her and tell her your position, and see how she feels about this, do you need us to come with you?”

  “I have not decided to do this Mother,” he said tersely. “I need time to think about this, this is my life that being ruined, I have a lot more to lose than Sky does.”

  “You’re right of course,” his mother conceded, “but Benjamin, you remember there is a precious baby involved here, which Sky did not make alone, you do have a lot to consider, and I pray you make the morally correct and honorable decision for both you and Sky.” Ben gave a curt nod.

  “Well alright, now I’m going to bed.” Georgie announced.

  Ben looked over at Edmond and Jana. He knew Jana was on Sky’s side in this, and Edmond would remain neutral until he can assess the whole situation.

  “Well Brother, Goodnight, I hope you do the right thing, I really do.” Edmond hugged his brother. Jana rolled her eyes and walked pass him.

  Sky pressed both hands over her eyes as they burned with weariness. She felt drained, hollow, and lifeless. She had not stopped to sleep. She was on a mission for her life, and she would not rest until she was as far away as she could get. The movers parked in front of her house at seven sharp and she instructed them to take everything. Exhausted now, Sky sat on her bare mattress, struggling in an agonizing maelstrom. Her misery was like a steel trap. A trap she knew she had to fight to maintain her sanity. With her whole body engulfed in a tide of weariness and despair, she made a long, exhausted sigh; slowly she rose, and continued to pack her personal items a box the movers supplied for her. She swallowed grimacing. This was a bad time for her to start having morning sickness. This was the third time this morning she had that queasy feeling in her stomach. So far, she was successful in keeping her turbulent stomach settled. She worked through the early hours of the new day, finding a mindless solidity that helped camouflage the deep despair that was trying to envelope her sensibilities. She could not keep her memories grounded. Her mind kept turning to last night. She would never forget a single detail of his face when she announced her pregnancy. The coldness in his eyes chilled her to her bones, not to mention the hate that distorted his face. A raw and primitive grief overwhelmed her. A hot tear rolled down her cheek, she gulped hard, trying to bite back her tears. Tears were not going to get her through this time of duress, she had to be strong and resilient if she was going to make it through these next few hours, if she didn’t stop these weakening tears she was doomed. Ben was gone; there was nothing to do now. She would never regret that weekend with Ben, she cherished it, but now it was over and done. He stated his position, and she accepted it, all was left for her to do was to move on with her life.

  Quickly she pushed her thoughts aside, continuing to pack. Suddenly, beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. She passed a trembling hand over her face. That nauseating feeling overtook her, she ran to the bathroom and emptied her stomach.

  Ben could not pull in the driveway because of the large moving van that block the driveway. He watched, as four men carried furniture from her house. Assorted sized boxes were stacked on the lawn. Ben pulled to the curb and got out of the car.

  “What’s going on?” he asked the mover.

  “The lady is moving,” he stated walking away from Ben.

  “Is she
here?”

  “Nope, she left about an hour ago, she’ll be back though,” the mover informed him.

  “Damn it!” Ben swore. This was all he needed. His eyes burned dryly from sleeplessness. His night filled with thoughts of Sky, so sleep did not come to him. Between his anger at her and the ecstasy he felt in her arms, sleep was not an option for his tormenting mind. He thought long and hard about their situation. The only conclusion was to salvage his career, and marry her, with the understanding it would be in name only. After the birth of the child, they would divorce, than she would be able to go wherever she chose to. For now, she had no other alternative but to accept his decision. Ben just hoped he didn’t regret what he was about to do. He worked to damned hard to get where he was, and if he had to marry Sky to save his hard work, so be it. She just had to go through this hell with him. Her refusal was not an option. He informed his mother his plans, and she praised him for doing the right thing. Now he had to inform his family Sky was leaving. Sighing with impatience, he called his mother.

  “Mom, Sky is moving out, she has a moving van here packing.”

  “She not here, I don’t know where she is.” Ben said his tone exasperated.

  Okay Mom, I’ll see if she at the shop.”

  Ben rushed to his car and sped off. He made it to her shop. On the glass door a sign read, “Closed until Further Notice.”

  Ben swore furiously punched the numbers on his phone.

  “Mom, she closed the shop, she has this big sign on the door closed until further notice, she gone.” Ben reported.

  “Meet me at her house; I’ll wait to see if she returns.”

  Ben parked in front of her house. He looked into the rearview mirror, as his mother, Ed and Jana pulled up behind him. He groaned; this was all he needed. Ben got out of the car, and met them in the street. Ms Georgie stood beside Ben and glanced over at him. “What did you say to her last night?” she asked frowning.

  Ben scratched his head. “I don’t remember Mom, I was angry, I think I said I wouldn’t marry her, I told her she trapped me, I told her she can do what she want, I have no room in my life for a child or a baby’s momma.”

  Georgie shook her head. “I would have left too,” she mumbled to herself.

  Edmond joined them. “Did you try calling her Ben?” He asked.

  “Her numbers been changed.”

  Ben anger rose instantaneously. He begin to pace. How dare she leave without telling him anything, she carries my child, he thought.

  Edmond, Jana, and Ms Georgie watched him pacing up and down the sidewalk, muttering to himself.

  “Damn her!” he said aloud.

  Ms Georgie went to him. “Come on Ben she has to be still in town, she wouldn’t leave her house open like this,” his mother said.

  Ben looked at his mother; she could see the ticking of that nerve in his jaw. He was angry.

  “If she’s gone, at least I won’t have to marry her,” he stated harshly.

  Georgie looked at him with disgust, “Get away from me Boy!” Ben had the good sense to move from his mother. Ed followed him.

  “You need to get a grip Ben, these remarks you’re making are uncalled for,” his brother scolded.

  “Ed, I have been up front with all of you how I felt about this situation, I am not going to hide my views on this, not now not ever, and its better that Sky knows my position.”

  “If she is gone, how will she care for a child alone?” Ed asked the question.

  “Don’t worry about Sky, she’ll be fine, she lives off a trust her wealthy grandfather left her, I should have known a woman that lives off family money is amoral and cunning.”

  Ed shook his head with disgust. “Enough with the remarks Benjamin, and stop playing the martyr, she carries a Smith inside her, and you will do right by her Benjamin,”

  “Don’t tell me what I will do Edmond, I’m a grown ass man!” Ben yelled to him.

  “Then start acting like one!” Edmond responded in kind to him.

  Georgie came over to them. “You two will stop this right now, I mean it!” she stated looking from one to the other. Jana shook her head. She looked up the street.

  “There she is,” Jana said seeing Sky’s car pulling to the curb.

  Sky frowned when she saw Ben and his family. He must have told them about the baby. Sky sighed, already tired of this argument. What did Ben want now? He made his regrets known to her, why did he have to bring his family in to this drama. What more could he say to her that he had not already said. She could not feel any more humiliated that she did now, did he have to include his mother in on her shame. Her spirits sank even lower. As it is, she couldn’t bear the sight of him without breaking down herself. She laid her forehead against the steering wheel, and took several deep breaths. That nauseated feeling returned. She should not have eaten that greasy burger. Sky took a deep breath, closing her eyes, willing herself not to get sick. She lifted her head, hoping the wave of queasiness will passed. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her purse, to leave the car. There was no point of delaying, she had to get this over with; she had every intention to be on the road before nightfall. Slowly she got out of the car. If she did nothing else, she needed to talk to Ms Georgie; she had to make her understand she did not trap Ben, it just happened.

  Sky took a step and then stopped; panic spreading on her face. She was going to be sick. Sweat beads dotted her upper lip; she swallowed. Sky looked at Ben’s family helplessly. Swiftly she turned and ran in the house. Ben ran after her. Sky knew she would never make it to the bathroom; the kitchen was closer. When Ben reached her, Sky bent over the sink, emptying her stomach, for the second time that day. Ben stood behind her with stunned silence. Georgie and Jana pushed pass him going to aid her, a woman on each side of her, rubbing her back, trying to comfort her.

  “Where are the towels?” Ms Georgie asked softly. Sky looked up tears coursing down her face. She pointed to the box in the corner.

  “Please get me a couple washcloths Ben,” Ms Georgie ordered. Ben did her bidding handing her the towels. Ms Georgie wet one towel pressing it to the back of her neck.

  “Its okay baby, we’ve all been through this, it will pass,” she cooed to Sky.

  Sky straighten up, tears rolling down her face. She looked at Ms Georgie, than at Jana.

  “I didn’t trap him, I swe…” she didn’t finish, she bent over the sink and started vomiting again.

  “We know Honey, everything is going to be alright now,” Georgie said looking at her stubborn son.

  Sky straighten, Georgie pressed a wet towel in her hand and put her arm around her, leading her to the sofa in her living room. She sat between Jana and Ms Georgie, her hands covering her face. Ben stood off to the side watching them, a cold, odious expression settled on his face. Ed beside him.

  “So Ben what are you going to do?” Ed whispered.

  Ben looked over at his brother, and let out a breath. He did not want this; he didn’t want to be married to this woman. She trapped him regardless what every one else thought.

  “I’m going to get this over with.” Ben barked moving into the room.

  With her hand over her face, she sensed Ben near. Slowly she removed her hand; her head rose. Her eyes swollen and red, a look of pure anguish pulled at his heart, but he ignored the emotion.

  “We’ll leave you two alone,” Ms Georgie said, and started to rise, but Sky stayed her and Jana’s from leaving her alone with Ben.

  “No please stay,” she said.

  Ben broke his silence with his utterance. “Alright Sky, you win, I will marry you, but understand this it is in name only, and after the child is born we will be divorced.”

  Sky stared up at him blankly, frowning. “No, I don’t want to marry you,” she said softly.

  “What the hell does that mean isn’t this what you worked so hard for?” he snapped sarcastically.

  Sky heart pounded against her chest, blood rushed to her face. She looked up at Ben. Her voice shook a
s she spoke.

  “Benjamin, I free you of all responsibly to me and this child, I going to leave Virginia, and you will never hear from us again. If there are papers you wish me to sign I will sign them, what happened is just as devastating for me also. I don’t want what you offer.” Georgie and Jana frowned. They would have been screaming their heads off at him.

  “Well, it not that simple, Sky, my career depends on this union, I will not let you end my career before it starts.”

  Sky didn’t understand. “What has this to do with your career?” she asked, frowning.

  “You are a blemish on my record, and I have to remove it, so you will marry me whether you want it or not,” Sky flinched as if he had just slapped her. Georgie and Jana glared at him.

  “That’s enough Ben,” Ed interjected tersely, “Don’t treat her like that.”

  “Fine,” she said softly and lay her head on Ms Georgie’s shoulder and let silent tear flow. Ben groaned and stalked away from them.

  Chapter Seven

  Three days later, Sky married Benjamin Thomas Smith. The wedding party consisted of a judge, who officiated over the service, Ms Georgie, Edward and Jana. Sky always thought if she ever married again, it would be a grand affair, not some impersonal “do you take me, and I take you,” ceremony. Disappointment was clearly evident on her face, as the judge spoke. Ben stood his face sullen and bored. After the brief words were spoken, Ben slipped the plain gold band on her finger; nearly almost throwing her hand away from him after the deed was done. When the judge announced you may kiss the bride, the groom’s look of disgust at her, caused her to shrink back from him. He simply shrugged, and promptly left the room.

  In a span of fifteen minutes, she was Mrs. Benjamin Thomas Smith. Once again shackled to another man who did not want her, to a man, she knew despised her. A glazed look of despair began to spread over her face. She wanted to retreat to the nearest corner and curl into a ball and allow her grief to take her away. She glanced at her new family hating the look of pity on their faces. If Ben wanted to humiliate her in front of his family, he did a fine job; her humiliation was complete. With her head low, Sky and the Smith family left the courthouse.