Who do I talk to now?
Jason Davenport
I sat on a bench outside a small supermarket. It was my second night sleeping in the streets. To me it still felt like a dream. I’d gotten angry, cried, begged my mother for forgiveness, but still nothing.
The tiny hope I’d harbored that Dad would come looking for me has dissipated. And now I was completely hopeless, helpless. I had nowhere to go, no one to talk to.
No one in town wanted to employ me because “my family acted like we owned the world”.
I’d never felt so tired in my entire life. And deep down I knew it was all my fault. Who do I talk to now?
Maybe if mom was alive…
No, I stopped myself. This was all on me.
I sighed, wiping the tears that stood on my cheeks.
Maybe if I made an effort, maybe if I proved myself, showed everyone that I was truly remorseful. Maybe dad would take me back. Maybe mom would stop being disappointed in me. Maybe Amelia would forgive me. Maybe Adrian would be friends with me again.
I let myself sob quietly for a while and then I stood. As I looked to the road ahead, the road out of town, I decided. If no one in this town was going to employ me, I’d look for work outside of town.
I’d get a job.
I’d work hard.
As I stood, trying to gain enough courage to leave town, a woman with a baby cot and groceries in her other hand walked out of the store.
My eyes were glued to the cot. It was beautiful.
I tried to calculate when Amelia would be due for delivery in my head but nothing came up.
Walking up to the woman while maintaining a safe distance, I asked, “How much did you get the cot for.”
“Ma’am,” I added, swallowing. I’d never had to address anyone with respect. But it was a start.
The lady smiled. “It’s only 300.”
I gulped. I had no money on me.
Feeling rejuvenated, I smiled and thanked her.
I’d get a job. Make enough money to afford a beautiful cot, then I’d gift it to Amelia. Maybe she’d see then that I was truly sorry.
Amelia Forbes
“Someone here to see you, Mel,” Dani muttered, sour-faced and took a seat next to Nana.
I sat up, wondering who it could be.
Had the neighbors found out about me?
My heart skipped a beat.
What if word went out and everyone thought I was a slut? Would I have to deal with the same fate as Kimberly? Eternal shame and stigma.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
Trying to calm myself, I wiped my hands on the sofa just as Jason’s dad and stepmom walked through the doors.
I relaxed a bit but I was still suspicious. What did they want now? I guess their big fat ego couldn’t take the slap to their reputation.
For a while they both stood there awkwardly not uttering a word. Then Nana stood.
What do you want? She signed.
She looked angry and I was scared she’d have one of her spells again. As I was about to inform them that my Nana was hard of hearing, Mr Davenport began to sign a response.
Dani and I shared a looked while Benson cocked an eyebrow. Well that was a surprise…
After getting Nana’s permission to talk to me, Mr Davenport moved closer to me. Adrian placed himself protectively in front of me and I offered him a grateful smile.
“I’m terribly sorry about what happened with Jason.” Mr Davenport started. “I had no idea.”
I stiffened as the mention of Jason’s name. Why couldn’t everything about him just be as far away from me as possible?
“There is no excuse for what he did to you…” He gestured to my stomach. “None at all. Pausing all your life plans at this age, ruining everything, hurting you.”
“I-I don’t even…” He trailed off, running a finger through his hair in exasperation.
I sat quietly. I just wanted them to leave.
Just leave.
“I know you’re angry, and you gave every right to be. And maybe you’d think of pressing charges… But, I, just please, we don’t want it to get to that. He did a stupid, unforgivable thing and I-”
“Just stop!”
I was mad now.
“Of course!” I laughed bitterly. “Why did I think you were here because you were truly sorry. All you care about is your stupid reputation,” I spat.
“You don’t care that I have to deliver, raise and take care of a baby on my own. At 18!”
I gave a hollow laugh. “Don’t worry, we’re not pressing charges. What difference would it make anyway, right? You could always pay off the judge.”
I ignored the hurt look that flashed in his eyes. He was just like his son, I thought. Selfish.
“Just get out!” I screamed.
Ashley moved toward me. “Amelia, please-”
I backed away from her. “I said get out. Both of you.”
Her eyes glazed over as she scurried back to her husband’s side.
Mr Davenport looked at me, a sad unfamiliar expression in his eyes and outstretched his hand. “Here’s my card. If you ever need anything-”
I slapped his hand away.
“Money can’t solve everything. Now I know where Jason gets his attitude from.”
With those words, I walked upstairs as quickly as my bulging tummy would let me, leaving everyone staring sadly after me.