From the author: I really enjoyed writing this chapter. I know it might be short and choppy; I just wanted to know if anybody would be interested in reading it. Please review with constructive criticism and remember this is only my second time writing for ! Thank you and enjoy. P.S I only own the idea behind the story!
Chapter One: Quiet homes that have so much to say
Manny sighed, knowing it would all be over soon. She knew it was wrong, she strongly
disapproved of abortion but she didn't know what else to do. She dug through her purse
and found her house key, opened her front door, and walked into her deserted home.
'It's so quiet' she thought as she stood in the foyer. It had been like this since the day
her papa disappeared. Her mama had to work extra hard to support herself and Manny
and pay college tuition for her older brother, Miguel as well. That was why she couldn't
keep this baby. Her mom was under enough stress already, and she knew that if she
had the baby there was no way she could give it up for adoption. Her mama had left it
up to her, but she knew this was what her mama wanted. Manny set her book-bag down
and walked over to picture of her family in the living room. It had been taken when
Manny was eleven, when everything was fine, before her papa had been killed, before
her brother had been in the car accident, before Manny became the 'slut' everyone
thought she was now. When people started asking where her papa was, Manny would
always do what her mother had asked her to do, she lied. She told them that her papa
and mama had gotten a divorce. Her mama had always told her that there family did
not need to be pitied, and so she did as she was asked. Manny set the picture down and
walked into the kitchen. Her mama had told her she had to work today, but she would
try to come home early to take her to the clinic. Just as she reached into the
refrigerator for a drink, the doorbell rang. Since everybody at school had found out
about her pregnancy, she was treated like she had a cold that nobody wanted to
catch, so she didn't know why anybody would be at her home. She slowly approached
the door and opened it. On the doorstep was small pink box that was addressed to her.
Manny looked up and down the street to see who had left it there, but could not see
anybody. 'That's strange' she thought, 'It doesn't have a return address'. With a little
hesitation, Manny picked up the box and brought it inside. She set it down on the
coffee table and opened it slowly. When she saw the contents she let out a small sob
and fell to the floor. Who would play such a cruel joke on somebody who was already
hurting so much inside?
Chapter Two: The Contents of a Mysterious Gift
After what seemed like hours of crying Manny wiped her eyes and sat up. 'I don't get
it' she said to herself, 'I know people hate me, but why would someone send a package
like that?' . Manny picked up the box and visually eyed the contents, after a moment
she decided she needed someone to be there with her when she went through the box.
She picked up her purse and found her cell-phone. Manny thought a moment about who
to call, then began dialing the familiar number. While it was ringing, Manny held her
breath. She didn't know if this person would talk to her or not. Sure Emma had stuck up
for her in front of Craig, but maybe she wouldn't want to help her again. Finally,
someone picked up the phone. It was Mrs. Nelson.
Mrs. Nelson- Hello? Simpson residence!
Manny- Hey Mrs. Nelson, it's Manny
Mrs. Nelson- Oh, hey Manny! I heard what your decision was from Emma and I just want to let you know that I respect it and I'll be there if you need me.
Manny- Thanks; I need all the support I can get. That's kinda why I'm calling, is Emma around?
Mrs. Nelson- Yeah, she sure is! Let me go get her.
With that Mrs. Nelson put Manny on hold, and went to get Emma. ' Please God, I
really need Em right now, please let her be willing to come over!' Manny prayed as she
waited. After a few minutes there was a click on the other line.
Emma- Manny, is everything ok?
Manny- Emma, I really need your help! When I got home from school, somebody rang
the doorbell and left a package on the step! I need your help going through it!
Emma- Is the package yours?
Manny- Of course! It had my name on it and my address but no return address.
Emma- Alright, I'll be right there. And calm down, you could hurt yourself getting so
stressed out.
And with that she hung up. Manny decided to wait for Emma on the front steps,
knowing the fresh April air would do her some good.
While waiting on the steps,Manny watched as kids she used to be friends with walked
by. She wished she could make her old friends believe that she wasn't a slut and that
the first time she had sex was with Craig and that was the last time she had sex.
However, she knew that it was a lost cause. Everyone thought that she slept with Sully
and a lot of other guys in between Sully and Craig. Manny was so deep in thought
about this that she didn't notice Emma standing in front of her until she said her name.
Manny- I'm sorry Emma I was just thinking that's all. Thanks for coming!
Emma- Manny, no matter how mad I am, I always will be here for you! Have a little faith in our friendship.
Manny let the tears consume her and Emma sat down and held her until she stopped,
whispering that it would be ok until she had calmed down. When Manny finally felt
better, she gave Emma a hug and led her inside. Emma sat down on the couch and
Manny went to get the box. When Manny set the box down in front of Emma, she knew
her friend understood why she was so upset.
Emma- O my GD Manny! What the hell?
Manny- I'm glad you understand! Now I can go through it.
Manny took a deep breath and picked up the first item in the box. It was a tiny pink
blanket, that was so soft Manny rubbed it against her face, but immediately she pulled
it away and dropped it. Emma who was watching quietly immediately jumped to
attention.
Emma- Manny, what is it?
Manny just continued to stare at the blanket so Emma asked again a little louder.
Emma- MANNY, What is the matter?
With that Manny picked up the blanket and held it under Emma's nose.
Manny- Em, what does that smell like to you?
Emma looked confused, but she took the blanket in her hands and smelt it. After a
second or two her eyes widened with surprise.
Emma- That smells exactly like your perfume!
Manny nodded her head.
Emma- Creepy!
Manny nodded her head again and then took the blanket back to inspect some more.
When she opened it up completely she noticed that it had Isabella stitched into it in
purple letters.
Manny looked at Emma. Manny and Emma both knew that Manny had always said if
she had a little girl, she would name her Isabella after her grandmother, Isabella
Santos. Manny knew this had to be a coincidence but she couldn't get over the fact that
it said Isabella.
Emma- Why don't you keep looking?
Manny- Ok, here could you fold this for me.
Manny handed Emma the blanket and reached into the box. The next thing she pulled
out was a pair of baby booties. They were extremely small and they were purple. When
she looked closer, Manny saw that it had Eeyore on the tips. They were very cute. But
she couldn't figure out why someone was sending her baby shoes.
Emma- What's up with the shoes?
Manny- I don't know, I don't know why anyone would send me this stuff. I'm going too keep looking, ok?
Emma nodded encouragingly and Manny once again stuck her hand into the box. She
pulled out a matching outfit to the shoes and when she set it down next to the booties
she realized that that outfit would be perfect for a newborn baby. It was absolutely
adorable, soft and small. Looking at the outfit made Manny's heart ache. She could
just imagine bringing home a baby in the outfit. Instead of having another meltdown,
Manny decided to finish looking. She put the box on her knees and peered inside.
There was a rattle, a bib that said Mommy's Princess with a pacifier attached to it, and
another smaller box. She picked it up and opened it up and almost immediately let out a
gasp and everything went black.