Читать книгу No, Daddy, Don’t!: A Father's Murderous Act Of Revenge - Irene Pence - Страница 12

FOUR

Despite the circumstances, Michelle was excited to be pregnant. She didn’t want to raise her son as an only child. Then as the reality of her situation settled on her, she began to wonder what in the world she had gotten herself into. She didn’t want to be married to John Battaglia, but she didn’t want to have a child out of wedlock. Overall, she was surprised to be pregnant since she had been on birth control pills and was diligently taking them.

When she finally built up the courage to tell John that she was pregnant, he immediately wanted to marry her. But she wasn’t sure that she wanted to jump into such a commitment. She kept pondering her options, although she never considered having an abortion. Then reconsidering marriage, she wondered if she could have the baby on her own and not marry John, but she was afraid to discuss single parenthood with him.

In late March, she sat down and wrote a letter to her mother, telling her about her plan. Her mother’s explosive response came back by return mail.

Michelle,

How dare you think of having that baby all by yourself?

Her mother went on to question whether she had the right to deprive her child of a father and make it illegitimate.

Michelle had hoped for a little support; she had no idea that her mother would blow a gasket.

In mid-April, Michelle slid up the zipper of her skirt and noticed a gap where the last half inch didn’t meet. Although she hadn’t gained much weight, she knew that time was running out and she had to make a decision.

On April 28, 1985, she took her mother’s words to heart and married John Battaglia in an unromantic civil ceremony at the courthouse. Amid cluttered desks and ringing phones, they were married by a justice of the peace. John slid a plain gold ring on her finger and gave her a peck on the cheek after the brief ceremony; then they stepped aside for the next couple to get married in assembly-line fashion.

Only one month after they were married, to Michelle’s shock, John disappeared. He was gone for two days. On the morning of the third day, Michelle was frantic, not knowing if he were dead or alive. When he finally called mid-morning, she was relieved to hear his voice.

“Michelle, I’m really sorry,” Battaglia stammered. “I know I should have called you before now. See, here’s what’s happened. I’m over at Janet’s. She’s kinda my ex-girlfriend. I’m really sorry about this.”

“Janet?” Michelle asked, ice forming on her words.

“Well, right before I met you I was engaged to her. I’m sorry, I should have told you all this before now. I’m really sorry. I’m at her place now, but I’ll be right home.”

Michelle hung up the phone and dropped to her sofa. Tears filled her eyes. She had known nothing about any Janet. What had she gotten herself into? Married and pregnant. What were her options?

Minutes later, a repentant John Battaglia quietly padded through the front door of Michelle’s small house and began apologizing all over again.

Michelle listened. Today they had planned to drive to Austin, Texas, where John would be awarded his CPA license. Not one person in his family had called about his passing the tests, nor had anyone offered to go with him to the awards ceremony. His parents still lived near Dallas on Lake Ray Hubbard. He looked so pathetic that Michelle felt sorry for him and thought that someone should accompany him to Austin. She would go on one condition. As soon as they returned, they were going to have a very important meeting with this Janet. She wanted to know exactly how her new husband felt.

Mark Weisbart, John Battaglia’s friend who had introduced him to Michelle, let them use his apartment for their meeting with Janet. Weisbart even whisked Billy to McDonald’s while the confrontation took place.

John stood up in front of both women. He shook from fear, nervously licking his lips and running his fingers through his hair. Without eye contact, he told Janet that he wasn’t in love with her anymore and that he loved Michelle.

Only later would Michelle learn that while she was pondering whether or not to marry John, he was conspiring with Janet to leave Michelle after the baby was born, and to take his child and raise it with Janet.