Unplanned Parenthood

Then there was the Rh factor. An antigen present in most people's blood but absent in Thelma's. She was "Rh negative" and that was an important issue that would cause the mother's body to fight against the baby's. It would be as if she were allergic to her own child if that child was Rh positive. If they didn't terminate the pregnancy, they would want to test Edgar's blood.

Terminate the pregnancy! What?!

"No!" Thelma spoke with quiet determination. "We will keep the baby no matter what. I will not even discuss killing my child and I never want it brought up again. Never!" Her face was ashen and her jaw set. Edgar had never heard her sound like this. He had expected her to look to him for support and guidance as she did about everything else. When she did turn toward him, she ordered, "Go give them your blood sample." Shocked, he immediately complied. They later learned he was Rh positive as was the baby.

The full impact of Thelma's pregnancy didn't set in until they got back to their tiny rented studio apartment. They were in awe. They were also terrified. Thelma believed only a miracle would bring her through the birth alive, yet it would be enough just to be a mother. Edgar had never planned to be a father. His first wife didn't want children and Thelma was supposedly unable to bear a child. Yet God had other plans. Soon they were laughing, both talking at once, acting like giddy teenagers.

The pregnancy was difficult and painful, fraught with perils one after the other. Edgar's new trucking business kept him away much of the time, but friends Bud and Roqua Deeter took doting care of the often bedridden Thelma. The rotund Roqua loved to cook almost as much as she loved her wine and she delighted in creating healthy fare fit for a gourmet palette all on a pauper's budget. Bud cleaned both the Deeter and Snider apartments weekly and worked with Edgar as a driver when he could. Edgar managed the laundry for both couples. The bonds of this friendship would grow ever closer and lifelong.

Amazingly, this precarious pregnancy was almost at term. Edgar had not realized how close he was to fatherhood until Thelma brought home news that the doctor said the baby would be safe to come any time now. Roqua celebrated with an increased intake of wine and a lavish meal for the four of them. They tried to play cards, but everyone was so distracted they laughingly gave up. Thelma was more animated than they had ever seen her, and soon they were going through all the baby things. The layette was all in pale greens and yelllows and the women folded and refolded each piece as they chatted about the baby's accommodations. There was no bassinet nor any room for one had they owned such a luxury. Thelma had converted a dresser drawer into a baby bed.

Edgar was uncharacteristically quiet. The month before, He had received an offer from a large trucking firm to buy out his fledgling company, Denver - Climax Trucking. He had turned it down but was now reconsidering it. His life was going places he had never intended and he was uneasy about that. Thelma was head over heels in love with the idea of parenthood, and he was excited, too. But deep down, he had doubts. After all, he was his father's son, albeit a sober version, still the wanderlust ran deep in his bones and he knew it.

Instead of going to work the next day, Edgar made arrangements to sell his little trucking company. It was a cash buyout and within the week, he was paying cash for a small wood frame house in the downtown area of Denver. He had not included Thelma in either of these transactions, nor had it entered his mind to do so. He certainly did not expect her to be upset about being "blind sided," as she called it.

Thelma's cheeks were flushed with anger which Edgar found quite attractive. He loved how her strawberry blond hair curled next to her fair-skinned blush. "How can you stand there grinning when you have treated me like I am nothing. Are we partners or not? You obviously don't think my ideas have any value!"

He expected tears, but there were none. She abruptly turned on her heel and left the apartment, slamming the door hard. He had never seen her like this. His first impulse was to follow her, but then memories of his confrontations with his first wife led him to reconsider. He would let her cool down and come back on her own.

Two hours later, Thelma had still not returned. Edgar went across the hall to the Deeter apartment and was horrified to learn they had not seen his wife.