LAST NIGHT, A SHORT STORY
When Valerie opened her eyes, it took her a couple of
seconds to figure out where she was. She couldn't remember how she
ended up on a bed, naked and covered with a blanket. She tried to remember
exactly what happened the previous night, but all she had were vague memories
of it. The only thing she could remember was that she was at a party at her
boyfriend, Victor’s house. It was the type of party where people challenged
themselves to liquor-drinking bouts, and got high on all manner of substances
they could sniff or smoke. The type of party where girls walked around in
bikinis and people had sex at every corner they could find. It was a party she
had lied to her parents about, giving them the impression that she was going to
a friend’s house for a sleepover. A party she was feeling guilty about the
whole time she was there. Victor’s parents were out of town for the weekend,
and since he had the house to himself, he decided to have as much fun as he
could before Monday, when his parents were scheduled to return. As Valerie lay
on the bed still trying to remember what happened last night, she recalled in
the fuzziness of her mind that she and Victor had been very drunk and were making
out on a couch. She also remembered being carried by Victor into his room, and
being stripped of the floral frock she was wearing. That was it. That was all
she could remember. The rest of it seemed to have gone away with the night. As
she rubbed her eyes, and tried to get out of the bed, Victor walked in with a
smile on his face.
“Good morning babe,” he said and bent forward to kiss
her. “Last night was one hell of a night wasn't it?”
“Victor, what happened last night?”
“Baby, last night, we had a great time, you and me; great
party, great music, and oh the sex was…”
“The sex?”
“Yes babe, the sex.”
“We…we had sex?” she spluttered.
Victor chuckled. “Don’t tell me you were so drunk that
you forget all that happened last night; baby I was rocking your world!” Tears
streamed down Valerie’s cheeks as he spoke. “Babe, what is it?” Victor asked as
he drew closer to her and pulled her to himself. She didn't answer, but started sobbing
as more tears trickled down her cheeks. “Come on baby, what is the matter? Why
are you crying?”
“I made a promise to God, my family and myself, that I
was going to remain a virgin till I’m married. But now, you have helped me
break that promise.”
“You were a virgin?”
Valerie nodded. “Victor you were the only boy I have ever
truly loved, and I trusted you with my life; but you betrayed me.” She
continued to sob.
“But Valerie, we were both drunk; it’s not like I raped
you.” Valerie didn't respond. She knew he was right. Last night, they
had made a stupid mistake; one that they were both responsible for. She sat
still for a while as Victor stared at her, unsure of what to say next. Then she
stood up and slowly walked
towards the bathroom with
the blanket wrapped around her, up to her chest.
“Baby, I’m really very sorry,” Victor said as she walked
into the bathroom. She shut the door behind her, and started sobbing loudly.
“God, please forgive me; forgive my disobedience, and
dishonesty. I know I've been unfaithful lately, but please…” Her
voice trailed off in tears as she prayed. Standing next to the bathroom door,
Victor could hear her pray, and in that instant, a new feeling of guilt
overshadowed him. Somehow, he felt he was solely responsible for last night. He
knew Valerie was a Christian, born and raised in a Christian family. Her father
was the presiding prelate of the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown,
where Valerie lived with her parents and younger sister, Vanessa. Her mother
was a deaconess and Valerie herself was the lead soloist of the church choir.
He knew that Valerie had come to the party last night because she loved him;
because she wanted to please him. In spite of her father’s open disapproval of
their relationship, Valerie had secretly continued to see him, in the hopes
that one day her father would see beyond Victor’s apparent secular lifestyle
and know that deep inside, he is a good person, who had a heart for God.
Victor’s parents never went to church, neither did they believe in God; and
they were very vocal about it. The only God they believed in was their media
company which they had built into a billion-dollar empire from nothing.
But Victor believed in God even though he didn't go to church.
Lately, he had begun to attend the St. John’s Episcopal Church because of
Valerie. He didn't like going to church, but he would do anything to
make Valerie happy. As these thoughts flooded his mind, he also recalled that
last night, he was the one who got Valerie drunk so he could have sex with
her. They've been seeing each other since they were fifteen, and
after two years of being together, Victor had shared with Valerie, his desire
to have sex with her. But she had declined, saying the
time wasn't right. She never told him that she was keeping herself
for marriage, and for some reason, he had begun to think that she was playing
hard to get. So last night, after promising his friends that he was going to “seal
the deal” with Valerie, he decided to get her drunk so he could sleep with her.
But as he listened to Valerie sob uncontrollably, he felt very sorry for her.
“Valerie, I am so sorry; it was entirely my fault. All I
wanted to do was just have a little fun with you. I had no idea you took a vow
of chastity.” He moved closer to the door and tried to open it, but it was
locked. “Val, baby, I’m so sorry; if I hadn't gotten you drunk this
would not have happened.” That part had slipped out his mouth. He hadn't meant
to say it. Valerie flung open the door of the bathroom and stepped out.
“You did what?”
“Baby, I’m …”
“Don’t baby me, you bastard!” Victor was shocked. That
was the first time he heard Valerie use that word. “You got me drunk just so
you could have sex with me?”
“Valerie, I’m sorry; I don’t know what I was thinking.
I…I…it was John and the guys, they dared me to…”
“So you made a bet on me with your godforsaken friends?
Victor, you are the only boy I have ever truly loved in my entire life. I loved
you with all my heart, and to think that I was considering a future with you,
when you saw me as nothing but a piece of item to bet on.”
“Valerie, it’s not like that. You know I love you.” He
moved forward and tried to touch her.
“Don’t touch me!” She knocked off his hand, and stormed
back into the bathroom with her dress. Moments later, she came out of the
bathroom, all dressed, and as she looked around for something, she continued to
sob, while Victor continued to apologize.
“Baby, I’m terribly sorry. Please find it in your hear to
forgive me.” She was silent as she continued to search the room. When she found
her purse sitting on the floor, underneath the bed, she picked it up and dashed
out of the room without saying word.
“Valerie, wait!” Victor called out, as she slammed the
door behind her. After standing there speechless for a while, he slowly sat
down on the bed and ran his hand, miserably through his hair.
That night as Valerie lay on her bed, sleep departed from
her. As she lay stretched on her bed, facing the floor, her whole life flashed
before her. She remembered her father’s sermon from when she just turned
thirteen. It was a sermon titled, “Worth the Wait.” Her father had preached the
sermon to her and other children at the church who just turned thirteen. It was
during that sermon, four years ago that she decided she was going to save
herself for marriage. In a matter of seconds, more sermon titles rushed through
her head. Watch Your Friends; Consequences of Immorality; the Result of
Disobedience; Light and Darkness; Avoiding Temptation. She also
remembered the sermons she had preached herself, to the teenage girls at her
church who looked up to her. Don’t Give Him Your Treasure was
the one that now stood out in her mind. After she preached that sermon, a
fourteen year-old girl had come to confess to her about being pressured by her
friend to have sex. Valerie had prayed with the girl and encouraged her to stay
away from the boy and continue to keep herself for God. Valerie was a role
model to all the young people at her church. Both her parents loved her very
much because in their opinion, she had wisely chosen the way of life, and she
was everything they desired. And her sister, Vanessa was already following in
her footsteps. At age thirteen, she could recite all sixty-six books of the
bible, and she knew off hand the memory verse for each week’s Sunday school. As
Valerie lay still in her bed, and as these thoughts rushed through her mind,
tears trickled down her cheeks. She felt like a hypocrite and a failure. She
felt she had let everyone down, and sooner than later, she knew what happened
last night was soon going to become public news. She knew Victor was going to
tell his friends about it and somehow, either her father or her mother would
end up hearing about it. So, she decided she was going to tell her parents
first. But almost immediately, she changed her mind. Instead she decided to
hold her peace and see what happens. Her life had always been filled with
bliss. But last night had, and was still about to change everything forever.
The next day was Sunday, a day Valerie was always excited
about. Because it was the day she always had the opportunity to use her voice
in serving God and His people. But this Sunday was different. Not because the
summer sun was unusually hot, or because she was wearing for the first time,
the hundred-dollar red chic gown her father bought from Paris the last time he
visited. This Sunday was different, because of the guilt that now lay heavy in
her heart. As Valerie looked out the window of her father’s SUV on their way to
church, she remembered what her father had told her the day after she brought
Victor home.
“Valerie, honey,” he had started out. “I love you and I
want the best for you. I would hate to see you waste your life with someone who
is clearly not right for you.”
“What do you mean dad?” she had asked.
“Valerie, that boy you brought home yesterday; what’s his
name…”
“Victor?”
“Yes, Victor. Valerie, that boy is not right for you.”
“But dad, Victor is a nice boy,” she contested.
“I believe you honey; but being nice does not make him
right for you. Valerie, the bible says, ‘Can two walk together, except they
agree?’ No, Valerie. The answer is no. That boy is clearly not interested in
the things of the lord. Don’t forget the bible says, ‘Evil communication
corrupts good manners.’”
“But dad, people change. You did. You once told me that
it was mommy that led you to the lord, remember?”
“Yes, Valerie; but that was different. Your mom and I
were not dating when she led me to the lord. She was evangelizing to my friends
and I, and I happened to be the only one who gave my life to the lord when she
gave us the opportunity to do so. And we didn't start dating until I
ran into her at a youth camp meeting five years later. Five years Valerie. By
then I was no longer a babe in the lord and she on the other hand, was still
waxing strong in the lord. So, you see my point? We were already in the lord,
together.” He paused for a moment and then continued. “Trust me, pumpkin; if
that boy does not first change his ways, he is bound to take you down the path
he’s on,” he said sternly.
Her father was right; Victor had indeed taken her down
the path he was on, and now she was going to regret it for the rest of her
life. As they got out of the car and made their way towards the main entrance
of the magnificent church building, Valerie felt like turning back and heading
home. She felt totally unworthy, and even though she had asked God for
forgiveness, she still struggled with guilt. Valerie managed to sit through the
service, and by what seemed like God’s way of assuring her of His forgiveness,
her father preached on the topic, God Can Still Forgive You. It
was as if he knew exactly what she was struggling with. At the end of the
sermon, as Valerie stood on the stage to sing, she spotted Victor in the middle
row. He was seated with his head bowed. She decided to seize this opportunity
to tell him that she had forgiven him. After all, she was the one holding the
microphone, and she was supposed to exhort the congregation before starting the
song.
“Praise the lord, church,” she said.
“Praise the lord,” the congregation chorused.
“The title of our song this morning says, Oh
Happy Day. It’s a song that reminds us of what our lord and savior did
on the cross of Calvary to redeem us. It’s a song that reminds us that we are
forgiven no matter our sins. Hence, we are expected to forgive those who hurt
us. Two days ago, a friend of mine did something that really hurt me, and I
refused to let go of it. But after hearing today’s message, I have decided to
forgive my friend, because, I too, have been forgiven by the lord. I encourage
us to do the same as we go home today. God bless you as you listen. Amen.”
“Amen.” The congregation chorused, but this time
with a round of applause. Victor lifted up his head and smiled in her
direction, knowing full well that she was talking about him. She, too, smiled
when she saw him. After the service, when he came to thank her for her
forgiveness, she told him that it will be best if they stayed apart from each
other for a while. He agreed, saying it would be best for both of them.
Exactly one month later, Valerie and her family were
gathered around their dining table for breakfast, when she was asked to pray.
“Dear lord, we thank you for this meal that we are about
to partake of,” she started off. She was about one second into the prayer when
she suddenly felt an unusual irritation in her stomach. Something was making
its way up her mouth as Valerie abruptly ran into the bathroom. She threw up
twice in the sink, and walked out looking exhausted. Everyone brushed it off as
nausea triggered by lack of food in her stomach. But Valerie knew something was
wrong, she just wasn't sure what it was. She hadn't had her
period in the past month, and although she knew this wasn't normal
she didn't think she was pregnant. She thought perhaps, her period
was delayed for some other reason. Later that evening, Valerie was
helping her mom in the kitchen, when her sister Vanessa walked in.
“Mom, can I help you cook? I’m bored.”
“Sure pumpkin, help me wash up the tomatoes, cut them up and blend
them when you’re done. Be careful, pumpkin. Make sure you don’t cut your finger
like last time.”
“Okay mom, I won’t.”
“Mom,” Valerie said.
“Yes sweetie.”
“Were you a virgin when you married daddy?”
“Of course, sweetie; and that’s why I’m so glad you
girls are following in my footsteps,” she said as she affectionately rubbed
Valerie’s cheek. Valerie immediately felt that irritation again, in her
stomach. This time she couldn't make it to the bathroom. She threw up
right into the kitchen sink.
“Valerie, are you all right?” her mom asked with concern.
“Yes, mom; I’m fine. I think it was the potato pie I ate
earlier.”
“But this is not the first time you are eating potato
pie; why all of a sudden is it making you throw up?”
“I don’t know, mom.” She shrugged.
“I think she’s sick mom; you should take her to the
doctor. This is the third time she is throwing up today.”
Valerie widened her eyes at her sister. “Who asked you?”
“I’m just saying; you are probably sick and need to see a
doctor.”
“Well, you need to mind your business,” Valerie retorted.
“Sweetie, she’s your sister; don’t you think it’s her
business to be concerned with your health?” Valerie didn't answer. “All right,
come on; let’s go and see the doctor.” Valerie felt her heart skip a beat. Make
that three beats.
“Mom, I’m fine. I’ll be okay,” she insisted.
“I know you are fine baby, but it doesn't hurt
to be sure. Prevention is always better than cure.” Valerie knew that something
was wrong. And now it was slowly dawning on her that the past one month
had not been normal at all. First, she had missed her period and now she was
throwing up like one who had food poisoning. Not to mention her frequent
urination, and the fact that she could hardly climb the stairs without gasping
for breath or feeling dizzy. Last night she felt so exhausted after just doing
the dishes and she hadn't read past the first page of the Last
Song, when she fell asleep, and didn't wake up till 11 am
the next day. None of these were normal and she knew that something was
definitely wrong. As her mom walked out of the kitchen, and as she watched
Vanessa cut up the tomatoes into four equal halves, Valerie felt shivers run
down her spine. What if she was really pregnant? What if her missed period and
the many other abnormalities she experienced, had something to do with the last
night she spent at Victor’s house? A night her parents had thought she spent at
a friend’s sleepover. Again, she thought of saying something to her mom about
that night, but she didn't She couldn't get herself to face her
mom. So, she decided to let things reveal themselves, and face the
consequences. Consequences that she wasn't sure she was prepared for.
At the hospital, Dr. Cynthia, Valerie’s family doctor,
held her by her wrist and checked her pulse. She shot Valerie a puzzled look
before proceeding. She took her stethoscope from off her neck, positioned the
ear tips in her ears and placed the chest piece on Valerie’s chest. After a
couple of seconds, she took of the stethoscope and placed it back on her neck.
She then held Valerie by her wrist and checked her pulse again. Then, she
tilted her head, and checked her eyes.
“Ma’am, we’re going to have to run some tests,” the doctor said.
“Is everything all right?” Valerie’s mom asked.
“Everything is all right, ma’am. We just need to run some
blood tests on her.” The doctor led Valerie through a double door to a well-lit
room where she collected some of her blood using a needle syringe. After a
couple of minutes, she came back into her office where Valerie’s mom had been
waiting. Valerie was standing next to the doctor, wishing the test results in
the doctor’s hand had nothing to do with what happened between her and victor,
a month ago.
“Go and have a seat, Valerie,” the doctor said. Valerie
slowly walked across the office and sat beside her mom.
“After checking Valerie’s pulse, I noticed that
it wasn't normal for an average seventeen year-old. So, I decided to
do some tests, including um, a pregnancy test.”
“A pregnancy test?” Valerie’s mom turned to look at her,
but she was facing the floor, afraid to look into her mom’s eyes.
“Yes Mrs. Jones and the result of the tests shows that
your daughter is approximately four weeks pregnant.”
“Four weeks pregnant! No, doctor that can’t be; Valerie
is still a virgin, she can’t possibly be pregnant. Valerie,” her mom said, and
as Valerie slowly lifted her head, rivulets of tears were already streaming
down her cheeks.
“Mom, I’m sorry,” she said, her voice muffled by tears.
“I should have told you and dad about it. It was a mistake. Mom, I never meant
for this to happen; I’m sorry.” As Valerie’s mom listened to her,
she couldn't hold back the tears in her own eyes.
“Valerie, I trusted you; we all trusted you. How could
you let this happen? What would people say? That the preacher’s daughter, who
encouraged other teenagers to practice abstinence, was in fact doing the direct
opposite of what she preached.”
“I’m sorry, mom.”
“Did you think of the consequences of your actions? Did
you for a second, stop to consider how this was going to affect us, especially
your father? Valerie, you are a pastor’s daughter for crying out loud.”
“Mom, it was a mistake; believe me, I never meant for it
to happen.”
Her mom looked at her for a while and then sighed, “Who
is responsible?” Valerie didn't answer. “Valerie,”
“Yes mom.”
“Who is responsible for the pregnancy?”
Valerie looked at her mom, and then turned her face
towards the floor, again. “Victor,” she finally said.
“Which Victor?”
“The one that leaves on M-street, by the Montrose Park.”
“The same boy your father warned you about?”
Valerie nodded without saying a word. After a long pause,
in which her mom fixed her gaze on Valerie, she sighed and then turned to the
doctor.
“Thanks, doctor.”
“You’re welcome Mrs. Jones. Now, I know you’re very upset
with her but please take it easy with her. These things happen. I’m sure she
had learned her lesson.” Valerie's mom wanted to tell the doctor that although she knew these things happened, they shouldn't be happening to her daughter, because her daughter was different. But then she decided against that almost immediately. There was no point explaining anything to the doctor.
“Thanks doctor, for everything. We’ll be on our way now.”
“Okay madam; please be sure to bring her back after two
weeks for a routine checkup.”
“I will, doctor; thanks again,” her mom said as they left
the doctor’s office.
Valerie’s father sat across the living room from his
daughter; as he listened to her narrate the story of how she got herself
pregnant.
“Dad, I know I have disappointed you and everyone; and I
know I will never be the daughter you have always wanted me to be, but I beg
that you please forgive me.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke. “I
never meant to let you down, daddy; I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. In the silence
that followed, her father walked over to her and put his arms around her.
“Baby girl, the day you were born; I blessed the lord for
giving us a daughter who would grow up to love the lord and be a source of
pride and joy to me and your mother. That is exactly what you've been
for the past seventeen years. And even with this pregnancy, I want you to know
that, you are still my pride and my joy; I don’t care what people would say and
neither should you. You are my daughter, and I love you, no matter what
happens.” He kissed her hair, and hugged her as tightly as he could. Both her
mom and sister also joined in the hug. Valerie was pleasantly surprised. She
had expected her dad to render at least a thirty minute sermon, filled with
quotations from the book of Corinthians, Romans, and Thessalonians. But his
reaction was totally unexpected. It was pleasantly unexpected.
“Thanks, dad; I love your dad,” she said as she hugged
him again.
“I love you too, pumpkin,” her dad said as he withdrew.
“Does Victor know about this, yet?
“No.”
“So, we’ll let him and his parents know; and he would
take responsibility for his actions. He would have to father his child. Come on
baby, let’s go have dinner.” They all stood up and walked towards the dining
table.
Both families were present at the hospital on the day
Victor Jr., was delivered. When Valerie held her 7 pound 11 ounce baby boy
at the hospital, her lips cracked open in a radiant smile, as she watched with
joy the life that she had carried within her for the past nine months. As
Victor watched her smile, he knew right then that he wanted to spend the rest
of his life with Valerie. She was his first love, and he was her first love,
and they were both in love with each other. Valerie and Victor went on to marry
after graduating from college. The birth of the baby made both families realize
that though they had different beliefs they could still be a united family.
Valerie also realized that although that night at Victor’s house changed her
life forever, it did not change her father’s love for her; neither did it
change Victor’s love for her.
