considering adopting a baby. Juanda did mention that to me a few months back when she called to tell me that my mother was involved in yet another scandal on YouTube." She chuckled. "My friends at school think you are so cool. And they're reading your books.
I'm sort of a celebrity by proxy."
"Congratulations. I hope you're actually getting some classes in and not hanging out in the recreation hall."
"No, I'm working hard and my grades are fantastic."
Tricia was a journalism major and dreamed of traveling the world and writing articles for big-name magazines.
"Now back to what I was trying to tell you. I'm pregnant."
"What?" Tricia asked. "How can you be pregnant? Aren't women your age supposed to be menopausal or something?"
"Apparently not," Shaundra answered. "I still had a period, but I noticed that it had thinned out some over the years, but there was still some spotting once a month...nothing heavy so I figured I was sliding into perimenopause, but apparently Ichiro has some mighty powerful sperm."
"Aww, gross Mama," Tricia said. "I must have the only mother in the world who has no problem discussing her sordid sex life with and a hot Asian pop singer with her impressionable daughter."
Tricia was such an innocent and hated it when she spoke about sex.
"Are you sure? Have you taken tests?"
"Yes, in fact I was hospitalized in the beginning. The change in my hormones sent my pressure up to record proportion and I blacked out. Satoshi and Takumijo found me unconscious lying on the floor in my bedroom and rushed me to the hospital. That's when the test was done and sure enough they found a bun in the oven." She paused. "Two buns in the oven to be exact."
Tricia screamed so loudly that Shaundra had to remove the receiver away from her ear. "Are you serious? I'm going to be a big sister?"
"Yes, you're going to be a big sister."
"That mean I'm going to have someone to boss around.
You know being the baby in the family is sorely overrated."
Shaundra chuckled. Tricia was a bit melodramatic.
"When are they due?"
"Late September or early October," Shaundra replied. "But I think the doctor is going to put me in the hospital before then. He's very concerned because of my hypertension."
"What does Ichiro think about all of this?" Tricia asked.
Shaundra refused to tell her the story that led up to Ichiro finding out. Some things were better left unsaid. "He couldn't be happier. I swear the man is walking around on a cloud."
"And he should be. So everything is okay between the two of you?"
"Yes," Shaundra lied. "Things are great." Well they were better than they were before she decided to leave him. He was spending more time at home and he'd hired someone to help with the construction of the new restaurants in Kyoto.
"Try not to deliver until October," Tricia said. "I'll try to come for visit."
Unlike her, her kids were not afraid to fly. "That would be just the best thing ever," Shaundra said. "And I know Satoshi will be glad to see you."
"How is he?" Tricia asked.
"Still Satoshi. Very inquisitive and a bit of a devil and also becoming one of my dearest friends."
"Define that."
"No, I'm not sharing my bed with him if that's what you're thinking. I swear. I don't know where I got this reputation from. If these guys weren't idols, no one would think anything of me dancing or talking to them."
Tricia squealed again. "I'm going to be a big sister. I can't wait to see them. I bet they will be beautiful babies with long jet black hair and blue eyes."
"Blue eyes are rare in Asia. Ichiro is just so special, but I don't think the babies will have blue eyes. Don't forget they will have an African American mother."
"True, but you are beautiful, so they are bound to take after you."
"I'm just hoping for healthy," Shaundra said, suddenly feeling hungry. She looked over at the clock. It was very late in the United States. "You better get off this phone and go to bed. I'm sure you've got a test or something to take tomorrow."
"Okay, Mama. I can take a hint. I'll call to check up on you in a couple of days. Please try to stay out of trouble until then."
Shaundra grimaced. "Bye baby." She hung up the phone.
Why did everyone think she was a troublemaker?
The door to the bedroom opened and Ichiro came in carrying a tray of food. Right on time. She wondered if he'd heard