By the time Brittany's bump was showing properly, there were many people at school who were terrified to even look at Brittany for fear of getting attacked by Sam. Brittany was getting tired f dragging Sam of some poor freshman who'd dared to tentatively smile at her in the hallway.
"Sam, I'm four months along and I really can't be pulling you off these kids for much longer." she said when they were resting in Brittany's bedroom after school one afternoon.
"I'm sorry, Britt. I can't help it." he said from his spot on the floor. He was flipping through a random magazine he'd found under the bed, trying to amuse himself.
"I know, but it's hard enough at school anyway." She said, not wanting to let the conversation go.
"Brittany, we've had this conversation nearly fifty times, can you just get over it? I told you I can't help it, so just leave it alone." he snapped. She looked at him in surprise. He had never yelled at her before. Tears welled up in her eyes and she inwardly sighed. This was one pregnancy symptom she hated; being unable to control her emotions.
"Oh, here we go again with the tears. Geez, Britt! You can't just turn on the waterworks and think you're going to get whatever you want." he said and Brittany gasped.
"What? You think I'm doing this on purpose? You know I can't help it, Sam!" she cried, the tears still falling and really not helping her case. He groaned and stood up.
"I'm outta here. Call me when you're sane again." he walked out of the room and shut the door behind him. Brittany sat, stunned on her bed until she heard Sam's car start up and ran to the window. As she looked out, she saw him pull away from the house, speeding away as if he couldn't get away fast enough. She sank to the floor, holding her stomach and crying. Her mother found her there, an hour later when she came home from work.
"Brittany! What happened? Where's Sam? I thought he was staying over tonight." she asked, helping the crying girl up.
"He left, mom. We had a fight and he left." she cried, falling into her mother's hug willingly.
"Oh, Brittany. I'm so sorry. It'll all be okay, though. I promise. Do you want me to call his parents?" Susan asked, brushing Brittany's hair back. She felt Brittany shake her head.
"No. He said to call him when I'm sane again." Brittany mumbled. Susan sighed.
"That sound's like a break up to me, honey." Susan said and Brittany's crying which had subsided, came in shaking sobs.
"He's been so good, mom. All I did was tell him to stop being overprotective." Brittany cried.
"I know, Britt. But men are strange when their partner's are pregnant. They suddenly get very protective and we just have to deal with it. He's under a lot of stress, too remember?" Susan told her, leading her to the bed. Brittany gratefully lay down and soon she was fast asleep. Susan went downstairs and picked up the phone, dialling Mary Evans' number.
"Hello? Mary Evans speaking." Susan smiled.
"Hi, Mary. It's Susan Peirce, Brittany's mother, how are you?"
"Oh, hi. I'm not bad, you?"
"Alright, I'm calling about our young lovebirds. They seem to have gotten themselves into a bit of an argument this afternoon." Susan began.
"Yes, I figured something was up when Sam came home. He didn't stop to say hello, he just marched on up to his room and hasn't come down since." Mary laughed.
"I know it's not really our business, but I was talking to Brittany before and apparently it all started because she's been getting on his back about being overprotective."
"Yeah. I wondered why Sam was coming home covered in bruises. It seems my husband's protective streak has been passed on to him. I'll have to talk to him about that."
"I've been thinking, if they can work this out, I'm willing to help them find an apartment to live in after the baby is born. I don't know it that's okay with you though." Susan said.
"Oh, um, I'll have to think about it. Oh, hang on, I'm being called." Susan heard Mary calling out to someone in the background.
"Sorry, Sam's yelling at his brother and sister. I have to go and sort it out but Maybe we can meet up and discuss things sometime next week?"
"Sure. I'll let you get back to your evening." Susan laughed and they hung up.
"Mom? Who was on the phone?" Stephanie came into the kitchen, carrying a very worn out Barbie doll.
"Don't worry, Steph. It's nothing to do with you. Why don't you go ask dad what he wants for tea." Susan said and sighed. She really hoped Brittany and Sam would work it out because a single mother is not something she wanted Brittany to be.
