I said fingers crossed for an update before I start college and here you have it! I worked all night long to be able to post this and start working on the next one, I hope you like it!
"You want two lines today?" He asked the toddler sitting beneath him, taking a butter knife and cutting two vertical lines down the center of John's breakfast. "You sure you're going to eat this much?" John nodded, taking a sip of his orange juice from the Sippy cup he was holding.
He went to the fridge and pulled out a small tub of butter for the prepared waffles. Going back to the table to sit next to his son, Ricky heard a loud groan come from the bedroom, along with the clatter of the metal hangers hanging in the closet.
"Nothing fits!" she screamed at the small mirror hanging up on the wall.
Upon entering the bedroom, "Hey, hey, what's-" he stopped "whoa. What happened in here?" Seeing the bedroom a disastrous array of dresses and black clothing, all separated from the designated hangers.
"I hate clothes!" Amy barked, throwing another dress to the floor angrily.
Nodding, he chuckled. "So I see." Stepping closer to the bed, "I made breakfast"
"I'm not hungry."
"Yes you are. You know how I know that? I can hear your stomach growling from over here." He took a seat (on a spot that wasn't covered by clothes) on the bed, "What's really going on?" he asked her concerned, "Are you nervous about school?"
"I'm not starting kindergarten, Ricky. It's my senior year!" she huffed, putting down the green dress in her hands, "I'm a senior in high school. This is the year everyone always dreams about. It's supposed to be the greatest year of your life…" playing with the hem of her shirt, "and I'm spending it just like I did my first year- pregnant."
"I'm sorry." His tone was sympatric, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Not unless you can go back to high school… I wish you were there with me"
"I know, I do too" Reaching for her hand, he brushed his fingers against her knuckles. "But if anyone can walk through those halls with their head held high, it's you. You're too strong and beautiful to let this stop you." He smiled, "Just keep your head up and focus on your school work and you'll be fine" standing to place a kiss on her lips before bending down to retrieve some off the mess littering the floor. He put three outfits on the bed before walking back out into the kitchen.
Pushing down on the large metal rod, Amy opened the doors to the familiar hallway. Stopping to take in the site around her, she took a deep breath.
Grace shuffled over quickly, wrapping her arms tightly around Amy's body, taking her by surprise. "I'm so happy for you!" the blonde squealed, lifting her feet off the ground with a bounce.
"Thanks, Grace" Amy replied, placing her hands on Grace's back to make it seem like she was into the hug. Grace dropped her arms and pulled away smiling; she was about to say something when Dylan came up behind her.
"Hi, Amy" Dylan greeted, "We heard the good news you got married!" Ben began pushing a TV cart down the hall, stopping it in front of Amy.
"Yeah finally, I- um- I guess this is for me?" she asked
"Who do you think it's for?" Ben replied bitterly, clearly agitated by even looking at it.
Dylan patted his arm, sensing his bitter tone. "My mom insisted on making it from her bakery, she thought it was an excellent project."
"Oh, well how sweet of her, and how sweet of you two for bringing it for me"
Ben's eyes glanced down, "I really didn't know anything about it."
"Oh."
"Ben" Dylan caught his attention; "maybe we should get going…" she turned back to Amy, "enjoy the cake!"
"Thanks" Amy replied sweetly, taking hold of the handle attached to the cart and rolling it down the hall. Stopping at her locker she saw a sticky note, from Mrs. O'Malley, stuck on the handle. She read it silently before crumpling it up and rolling the cart down the hall again.
Amy walked into the office, "You wanted to see me?" she asked O'Malley, who was sifting through a mound of paperwork.
Noticing the presence in her office, O'Malley raised her head, "Yeah come on in." motioning for Amy to sit. "Nice…cake" she motioned towards the towering white treat.
"Thanks, you want a piece?" she asked her guidance counselor.
Katelyn nodded, "Sure" she paused, "I thought you and Ricky were going to get married on the 4th of July?"
"We were but -" Picking up a plate and utensils from the stack on the cart, "I don't know, we just decided to do something else", she placed a small piece in front of O'Malley before sitting down.
"This is such great news- you're getting married. And what's the point of having a big wedding anymore right? It costs so much money these days." The blonde paused, taking a bite, "mmm, good cake"
"Oh, thanks. Bens' girlfriend's mom made it" she paused, "so what did you want to see me about?"
"Oh!" O'Malley swallowed. "I wanted to talk to about something; this year I'm asking each of the seniors to be paired up with an incoming freshman coming to the school. Its part of this new mentor incentive program I'm trying out. I think that if each freshman has someone they can talk to and get advice from, it might ease the transition a bit."
"Oh, yeah, that's a great idea"
"I'm glad you feel that way, I have a really special girl I'd like for you to meet. She just moved into the neighborhood and she needs a lot of help and I think you have just the right experience for the job."
"I have a job and a son, you know? I'm not really up to mentor someone who needs a lot of help - and what experience do I have that other's don't?"
"I understand you have your own personal issues to contend with but I really think you're the best person for the job." O'Malley tapped a pen against her desk, "Kathy!" she shouted at the doorway.
A small girl stepped out from the hallway; her dark-hair draped over her shoulders as she rested her hands on top of the gray top she was wearing. This caused Amy to see why O'Malley thought she had the experience for the job. Kathy's hands trailed along her protruding belly, the pink cardigan hugging her arms. "Hey!" She smiled, "ooh, cake."
O'Malley smiled sheepishly at the annoyed teenager sitting in front of her; disbelief playing into Amy's features.
"So… have you made any friends yet?" Amy asked Kathy as they both sat comfortably on the concrete by the shrubs, on the left side of the quad.
"Are you kidding?" Kathy said, pushing a strand of hair away from her brown eyes. "I'm 6 months pregnant. Nobody wants to be friends with a pregnant girl."
"I had friends. Of course they were the same friends I've had since I was 9, but they stood by me."
"Then I guess you're just lucky"
She looked down, "yeah… guess I am." It turned silent for a moment as she got herself another piece of cake and handed one off to Kathy.
"So how exactly does this mentor thing work?" the brunette asked, gladly accepting the plate handed to her.
Amy shrugged, "I really don't know. I've never had to mentor anyone before. I mean I've tutored kids when I was younger and I work with kids at a nursery, but never had to mentor anyone. Do you want to talk about something?"
"Sure, let's talk about how I don't have any friends in this stupid new school- that by the way, smells like ham and socks- and how I'm being forced to walk the halls like some freak show on her way to the circus!"
"Ok you'll make friends, Kathy, you will. You seem like a nice girl and all that so you won't have many problems in that area" she chuckled, "ham and socks, really?"
"Yes!" Kathy laughed, "How do you not smell it?" Amy laughed, shrugging before plowing more cake in her mouth.
"That perky blonde sure knows a lot about you." Kathy stated, sticking a fork into her piece of cake. "Is it true you're married?"
Amy nodded, "Yea, I am."
"Wow that's surprising. Usually the guy who knocks you up doesn't marry you, you know?"
"Yeah I know."
Kathy smiled, "I really enjoy talking to you. And it helps a lot that you're like me."
Her eyebrow rose slightly, "what do you mean?"
"I mean it helps to have someone who can relate to the things you're going through. Like how you're pregnant as well-"
Eyes growing wide in shock, "H-h-how did you know that?" she stuttered.
"You have that glow thing everyone always says when they see a pregnant person. Plus being pregnant myself, I can sense it on you." Kathy pointed at the half eaten piece of desert resting on Amy's plate, "Not to mention you did just shovel 3 pieces of cake down your throat in the short amount of time we've been out here- it's kind of obvious."
"Wow. You're good at that… Yea I am, about 15 weeks now" she admitted, looking down at her shirt.
"You defiantly don't look 15 weeks, does anyone else know?"
"Just our families and judging by the way my family reacted, I'm not telling anyone anytime soon."
"That bad, huh?" Kathy asked, stabbing her fork into a clump of icing.
"Umm, yeah" Amy placed the plate on the concrete, "let's just say my mother is no longer speaking to me for the time being"
"If it makes you feel any better…" Kathy swallowed, "my parents aren't speaking to me either. They shipped me off to live with my grandmother until the baby is born. They're too ashamed and embarrassed by me to stay there… the rich snobs."
"I'm sorry…"
"Don't be. It is what it is, you know?"
Amy nodded in understanding, "So what are you going to do?"
"I'm giving the baby up for adoption. I've already found a family for her, two parents that can give her everything that I can't. I don't want my life to be ruined just because my idiot of a nerdy boyfriend wasn't as smart as he claimed to be with his 'stop at the right time' full proof birth control method." Kathy huffed, "I was such an idiot to believe him but he was very persuasive in making me want to do it. Now here we are." Amy nodded again, "Is that what happened to you?"
"The first time…" Amy asked, "Or now?"
"Both, I guess."
She ran her fingers through her ponytail, "The first time was a bit like your situation, we met at Band camp, started making out and then it led to more, he was experienced, I was not and it just kind of… happened." She looked down at her shirt again, "This time though, no. We'd been living together for a while at that point so it was bound to happen- even though we both were protected- we knew it was bound to happen eventually. And it did. And now… we're married."
"Look… don't take this the wrong way, but even though I like to talk to you, I don't want to be like you. I don't want to have a kid and then have another one and then have to get married to the guy who knocked me up. I don't want my life to be over all because of one mistake." Kathy admitted, looking sharply into Amy's eyes.
"I understand. But my life isn't over. I'm finishing up high school and going to college and-"
"And you're 18 and married, to the guy who knocked you up- again."
Amy's face turned down slightly as she stared at her shoes.
"Hey mom" Ricky greeted his mother as he walked into the small kitchen.
"Hey yourself" Margret greeted back, placing the dish towel she was using on the other side of the sink. "How's your bride?"
"She's good. A little moody, but that's not new. When's dad get back?"
"On Friday, and… he can't wait to see you!"
"Why?"
"Why?" she questioned, "Because you're our son. Shakur hasn't seen you since before you got married and now he's been told he's going to have another grand baby. And you ask why he wants to see you!"
"Thanks. Is that it?"
"No, that's not it; I have something for you."
"Oh no don't give me anything, you've done enough for me already and I've got to get down to the college bookstore and get my books, I don't want to wait until the last-minute."
Margret's fingers held too solid gold rings. "These were my mother and father's wedding bands. And I noticed that you and Amy didn't have real wedding bands and with the baby on the way I know you won't have the money to go out and buy any -"
"I can't take these, mom. I mean these must have a lot of sentimental value, what if we lose them or John decides to hide them or something?"
"You're not going to lose your wedding band and speaking of John - how's he taking the news of being a big brother?"
"We… haven't told him yet. It just seems too early and we don't really know how he'll react because he's been the baby up until now. Honestly we haven't told anyone but the family, and you saw how that played out." Ricky admitted, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
She nodded, "Still no word from Anne?" He shook his head at her. "What are we going to do about her?"
"I don't know" he shrugged, "Amy wants to stay away for a while and let her cool off, but mom-" he exhaled "she's gonna need a mother figure during her pregnancy… and me being a man - I can't offer her that kind of thing, you know? So would you… you know help her out? Talk to her and stuff like that?"
"Of course I will." Margret smiled, "I love Amy, very much, so whatever she needs, you call me."
"Thanks, mom"
"And… I love you. And you know what would make me feel so happy? Is if I got to see you and Amy wearing my parent's wedding rings" His lips turned down into a frown, "But if you don't want to wear them-"
"Oh no, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, believe me that's the last thing in the world I want to do." Ricky apologized, quirking his lip up a bit, "And you know me, I just feel guilty taking something like this when it's so important to you."
She placed the gold bands inside his palm, closing it with her own hand. "You are far more precious to me than any piece of gold." Margret smiled wide as she embraced her son in a tearful hug.
He stood off in the corner of the bookstore, scanning through a stack of text books with titles like "Introductory to Advanced Algebra", "Icebreaker: A 101 guide to public speaking" and "Discovery of Psychology" along with other various books stacked on the shelves. His eyes wandered around the small space carefully, not wanting to accidentally miss something he might have needed.
Placing his finger next to a hardback, he pulled out a green colored text-book labeled "Awakening Children's Minds: How Parents and Teachers Can Make a Difference" and started thumbing through the first few pages.
"What are you reading?" Asked a girl from behind the adjacent shelf, taking her eyes away from the hardback she was skimming to look at him.
"Why do you want to know?" he asked, shutting the book and placing it back next to the rest of the copies.
"I was just asking." She walked around the aisle, placing her book on top of the shelf next to his. "What, are you not allowed to talk to me now or something?"
"What? No."
"Then what's your problem? And why are you hiding back here in the Child Education section?"
"I'm not hiding, Adrian. I've just got some things on my mind." Ricky stated, placing his left hand into his pocket.
Adrian's lips pursed, "Was that a Child Phycology book you were reading?"
"It might be. Why does it matter?"
"I thought you were taking Business?"
"I am but I might want to take a course in child phycology later on down the line, it's just a consideration, alright?"
"Okay, ok." She relented, "Jeez I ask one question and you're about to snap."
"Sorry, I've just got a lot on my mind" he apologized "So I guess you heard?"
She flipped the hair out of her face, "Yeah I heard. I guess congrats go to you and Amy? I hope you'll be very happy. I know I wasn't happy when I was married, but I'm not married anymore. I mean it gets so old being with the same person all the time, it was terrible."
"I'm happy being with Amy, very happy." He declared proudly
"I never said you weren't but…" Adrian's tone became suspicious, "why did you elope? I mean why not just get married in a courthouse or a house like Ben and I did? Eloping makes it seem like you have something to hide…"
"Well we don't." Ricky stated, "I've got to get going, I told Bunny I'd be back to work by 3. Goodbye, Adrian." he gathered the stack of books he placed in a neat pile on the shelf above his head and walked away.
Amy continued to push the cart up and down the now seemingly empty hallways, stopping every so often to kick at the squeaky wheel with the tip of her foot. Ben walked silently in her direction, his footing perfectly aligned as he stared straight ahead. "Hey Ben you want cake?" she asked him politely, "at least a dozen people have told me it's the best cake they've ever had."
Ben stared at her, "Did you have to marry him?" he asked, "I mean why now? Wasn't living together and being engaged enough? Was the fourth of July not soon enough for you?" His face turned serious, "what are you pregnant again?"
"What!" her voice squeaked, "Ben!"
"I'm sorry; I'm really having a bad day today and can't seem to keep things from blurting out of my mouth…I love you. I've always loved you." He blurted, biting his tongue as his shoulder started twitching before he walked away. Amy's eyes followed him down the hallway, shrugging at his sudden outburst before shoveling another mound of cake into her mouth.
John's shoes bounded up the stairwell as he continued to rant about how the snack his friend Lilly brought to daycare that day, was the worst snack he's ever eaten; making Amy laugh as she followed in behind him, placing what was left of the once large wedding cake, on the bookshelf before shutting the door.
"Hey you two" Ricky greeted, pecking Amy's cheek. "What's that?" he asked, motioning towards the block of dessert perched on their bookshelf. "And don't just answer with cake"
"Ben's girlfriend, Dylan, her mom decided to make us a wedding cake. And then Dylan brought it to me this morning during school." She answered him, "hey, what smells so good?" smelling the sweet aroma coming from their kitchen.
"Four-cheese lasagna; I had to lock up for Bunny tonight and didn't have a lot of time so I just threw it together. You ready to eat?"
"Do you really have to ask that?" Amy chuckled, taking her seat at the table. "John!" she shouted, "Dinner!"
After dinner was over, John ran off into his room, having been instructed to put on his pajamas before Ricky would help him brush his teeth.
Coming back into the living room, Ricky sat next to his wife on their sofa, accepting the plate of cake Amy put in front of his face with a smile. "This is good" he stated, twisting the fork around.
"Yeah it is" she agreed, "I've eaten so much of it I'm starting to feel sick."
"I have something that might make you feel better…" Placing the plate down on the coffee table, he reached into his front pants pocket and pulled out a decorative red velvet bag. "My mom gave us these" Emptying the contents into his hand, "they belonged to her parents", the gold bands shined against the lamp's lighting.
She smiled at him, taking the ring from his palm, "They're beautiful…" Placing it on her middle finger, she began tugging on the plastic band constricting her ring finger. "Uhhh Ricky, I think this one is stuck!"
He took her hand, bracing both his pointer finger and thumb against her hand, tugging hard. "Should I get the butter?"
"No! Just wiggle it a little!"
"Amy it's stuck. Your hand is swollen; it's not coming off without butter."
"Just leave it then. It'll come off eventually"
"Okay if that's what you want" letting go of her hand, "how did school go?"
She shifted her legs to a 45 degree angle, brushing his jeans with her foot. "I've been assigned a freshman girl to mentor as part of the guidance counselors new mentor program. She's 6 months pregnant and I'm supposed to help her make the right decisions, oy…"
"Oh, that sounds nice I guess."
"Does it?" Amy inquired, raising an eyebrow at him before shifting her eyes to her stomach. "She knows I'm pregnant by the way. She told me she could sense it. And the counselor wants me to help her make the right decisions when not even I am capable of making them for myself. Some mentor I am."
"I know you'll do great." Ricky pressed his lips to her forehead, "I got the wedding video in the mail today… should we watch it? I'm still trying to get the image of those squirrels out me head!" He chuckled before going to retrieve the silver laptop sitting in the bookshelf. Propping the device on the table, he opened its compartment, sliding the desk in the slot before tapping the space bar to play the video.
Amy swung her legs around to the opposite direction and took a spot on his shoulder, nuzzling her head in the crook of his neck as it started to play.
Like I said I pushed this out doing all nighters for the past 3 days, so if it's terrible or sucks, I'm sorry.