Cross Roads

Adrian took crazy to a new level. Without a baby, or Ben, she saw help in a new source. A source proved insane when her new decision threatened the lives of everyone around her. It's not just Amy and Ricky's relationship that's on the line anymore.

Adrian thrust her fist into the wall. She pulled back her freshly bruised hand and tears misted her eyes. But, it wasn't physical pain that was slowly leeching the happiness from her. With a newfound adrenaline rush, Adrian hit the wall with all of her force numerous times. She looked around the room and couldn't help but develop a new sense of anger.

He had left her. Ben. He just walked out the door after they lost a baby. What kind of husband was that? What kind of father would he have been? "A weak one," she muttered, narrowing her eyes at nothing and at everything all at once.

She snatched her car keys off the counter and slammed the apartment door behind her. It didn't take her long to get in her convertible and pick up speed with a growling engine. And as the car vibrated with energy, she pulsed with anger.

"Amy!" Ricky called, running after her as she sprinted to her car. "Just talk to me!"

"I don't want to talk about it Ricky," she shouted back at him. "It's not my decision, is it?" Ricky winced at the repition of his own words. "You can go to whatever college you want to. If you want to go out of State, then fine. If you want to go out of the country, that's fine with me!" She exclaimed, each word more harsh than the last.

"Amy, they sent me a letter, that doesn't mean I'm going to go," he explained. "Why are you blowing this so far out of proportion?"

"I don't want to raise a kid alone," Amy said breathless. "I don't want our kid to wonder who his daddy is. I don't want to have to wake up late at night to change diapers in an empty, lonely house!"

Ricky shook his head, "Amy you wouldn't have to-," he paused. "Did you say diapers? John doesn't wear diapers." His eyes widened, "Are you-?"

Amy pressed her lips into a thin line, her eyes watering. She opened her car door, but Ricky's arm reached out and grasped her shoulder before she could get inside. "Amy-."

"Don't," she said, tears now streaming down her face. She pushed his arm away. "Just don't!"

Ricky tried to yell over the engine, "Amy, please don't drive when you're upset!" But, it was too late. And she was speeding down the road, tugging his heart along with her.

Grace wrung out the soapy water from the rag and hung it on the faucet. She then began slamming the plates down, one on top of the other, creating a shrill clang. "Grace?" a voice behind her inquired.

She continued dropping the plates as her mother rounded the counter to face her daughter. "Grace, stop that!"

Grace looked up at her mom. "Daniel and I broke up," she said quietly.

"Oh, honey," her mom began, her face changing from outrage to concern. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Grace shook her head, and then sauntered over to the kitchen table, falling onto one of the chairs. Her mother nodded in understanding, but knowing her daughter, did not venture off. She walked over to the freezer and retrieved a carton of strawberry ice cream.

She handed Grace a spoon. "Why can't I be happy with just one guy?" She asked, taking in a heaving spoonful.

"Ohh Grace," her mother sighed, catching onto the point of the break up. "You should really break up with the boy first," she reasoned.

"I can't help it," Grace whined. "I'm only seventeen! I see a guy that I like and I can't help myself. Besides it would be cheating on myself if I told Daniel I still loved him."

Her mother rolled her eyes. Grace saw the silent remark and jumped from her seat, nearly knocking over the ice cream. "I'm going to take a walk," she stated, moving for the door.

"But, it's ten o'clock on a school night," her mother cautioned. "Don't make it long."

Grace burst through the door and picked up a fast pace. Her mothers words a whisper of a memory. She past by shadows without a glance, lights without a thought, and people without minimal acknowledgement. Her thoughts soley on her soul. Was she condemned for cheating on two boyfriends? It certainly wasn't making her look good! But, feeling good? Yeah, that it did. Not the cheating part, but the new feelings for sure. She liked the idea of different people giving her different emotions. As long as they were good ones of course.

But, the one question that was plagueing her mind, was about a certain someone she had given up on a while ago. A certain someone who destroyed a budding relationship with a single letter. A letter that should have touched her eyes a while ago. A letter that filled her with joy and confusion.

Grace came up to a four way stop just as a silver SUV pulled up as well. She recognized the driver immediately. But, it wasn't Amy that made her heart beat faster than ever before. It was the car across the street that had. A shiny red convertible, glistening with revenge.

Amy sighed in relief when Ricky's headlights were no longer visible. She loved the fact that he would chase after her, but right now, she had to be alone. He didn't deserve to give up such an amazing opportunity at an ivy league. Getting a drum scholarship to Stanford was the last thing that should upset him.

And she wasn't going to tie him down anymore. She couldn't. It wasn't right. So when she came to a stoplight, she was never so worried to see headlights across the street. "What if it was him?" She thought to herself.

Well, if it was or wasn't, one thing was certain, she wasn't pregnant. She wasn't going to be pregnant for the entire summer. She was going to convince Ricky to accept the scholarship. Afterall, she knew he would never do it on his own. She wasn't going to keep him from living the dream.

And then, it that moment she was sure of something else. The car across the street wasn't Ricky. He would accelerate towards her that crazily. Her eyes widened and her hand flew distinctively to her stomach.

She winced, preparing for impact. Then, it came. Full force. Straight at Amy. And into a whole world of pain.