Meet Asia Love - big city girl transitioning into small time life. Originally from New York City, Asia attended the prestigious Academie LeToure' where she met her husband, Orlando at a Jewish Fellowship meeting. She and Orlando married during their senior year of college; 9 months later, Asia gave birth to her first son - Daniel - at the age of 23.
Now pregnant with their second child, Asia and Orlando have chosen to move to Parsnip Plains, a suburban location far from New York City. Orlando is a high school teacher at Parsnip Plains High and Asia works for the Parsnip Plains government as a policy analyst. They hope that their second child will be a girl, although secretly Orlando wants another boy.
Meet 18 month old baby daniel... he's definitely a handful but Asia and Orlando love him to death and spoil him rotten.
So with the expansion of their brood, the Loves are about to go from small to large. And although they love each other deeply, Orlando and Asia often have base disagreements on child-rearing, money, and other household duties - like any normal couple. Asia wonders how having a second baby will affect their relationship, and will it add tension to an already strained ability to communicate.
We start our story approximately 7 months into Asia's pregnancy. Asia's best friend, Vamsi Travser, just threw Asia a huge baby shower. Asia and Vamsi met in college while Asia was an undergraduate and Vamsi was in law school - they were both members of the same national sorority and quickly became close allies and best friends.
Back to the party - All of Asia's friends and family came and while the party was a smashing success, Asia was worn out from the festivities. Pulling Vamsi into her room at the end of the evening, Asia said:
"Vamsi, I have something to tell you..."
Vamsi, nervous and scared for no apparent reason replied... "What? is everything all right?!"
Asia giggled and said "of course everything is Okay - I just need to know if you'd do me the honor of being the baby's Godmother!"
Vamsi was clearly shocked and overjoyed.
For Vamsi, this moment was more than just symbolic - it was life-changing. Vamsi, slightly older than her best friend Asia, has wanted to have a baby for almost 6 years now - however, her extremely successful legal career and her cavelier husband have crushed that dream for the moment. At 29 years old, she greatly envied Asia's "baby-making" abilities... and was too obtuse to realize that Asia herself deeply envied Vamsi's freedom and child-free lifestyle.
"YES! Of course, YES!" Vamsi screamed. She hugged Asia tightly then proceeded to let go and make silly faces at her future God-daughter/son. For both Vamsi and Asia, the night had ended with much joy and happiness all around.
A few weeks later, Vamsi and Orlando conversed lightly over breakfast. Normally Orlando and Asia limited their conversations to talk of pop culture, the new baby, Daniel, and work... careful to sidestep any real discussion of serious issues. Asia never fully understood why Orlando refused to discuss anything "real" with her; he claimed it was because he dealt with too much real stuff as a high school politics teacher but Asia's insecurity lead her to believe that Orlando simply didn't value her intelligence or opinion. On this morning however, Asia felt the need to bring up the touch subject of family finances.
"Orlando, we need more income"
Orlando grunted and continued eating.
"Orlando, listen to me! We need more money! We can't continue to pop out babies on our combined income. Furthermore, this house is way too small for our family!"
Orlando put down his fork, looked at Asia and sighed. "I like our life the way it is."
Asia stared into Asia's eyes and said "I'm going to get a better job, I can feel it."
Orlando, insensitive as usual, continued to eat.
The next day after her disasterous conversation with Orlando, Asia called her good friend Annie McLauren (who also happened to be one of Vamsi's sisters in law). Annie came from a pretty well to do family and usually had tons of spare cash lying around. Speaking hesitantly on the phone to Annie, Asia said:
"Annie, I need to borrow some money... with the new baby and all and..."
Annie stopped Asia mid-sentence and said "Asia, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you out?! I'll definitely give you the money, no worries!"
Stopping by with the money later that afternoon, Asia and Annie embraced.
"Thank you so much Annie... I don't know what I would have done without you... you're the best really!"
Annie laughed and said "of course, I'm the best! Just kidding! But no really, consider the money a gift. I also have another surprise for you but it won't be here for another few days..."
Asia wondered what the surprise could be... calling out to Annie as Annie left, Asia said:
"Annie, um... could you not mention this to anyone...?"
"Consider it our little secret Asia! I won't tell a soul!"
1 comment:
oh hooray! love it. can't wait for more updates!! :)
e.
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