Special Friends
Chapter 11: The Lecture
Trish's POV
Month 1
One month has passed since my big reveal to John. He hasn't changed views on the situation at all. He's still happy as ever. I've come to accept my fate as a blossoming mother. John hasn't eased up on me either. He's constantly making sure I'm eating correctly and being responsible. He even went with me to the doctor's office to make sure I really was pregnant. He seems more excited than I do. I'm not looking forward to any of this but I guess I have no choice.
On another note, there hasn't been any signs of Mya. John finds this odd. He went through the trouble of installing an alarm system for my house. He's like a worried Momma Bear. It's overbearing and I feel suffocated. He's all bent out of shape and he's driving not only himself crazy but he's making me insane. John knows Mya is planning something big and I bet that is a reason why he's acting nuts. Now that I think of it I see why he is so worried. Mya never gave us a moment of privacy. There is no way she'd let this whole thing go just like that. Especially not after our argument.
Honestly, I am bit worried myself because that woman is so detached from reality she's capable of anything. John is right to be afraid for my safety. I'm quite grateful for this alarm actually. Even if she were to attempt something I would be safe. John and the emergency responders will be notified right away. I just wish John wouldn't swoon over me so much. I'm not a fragile baby. He acts like I'm a frail piece of glass that will shatter with a simple touch. He's making too much of a fuss about everything. He doesn't even like when I go at night by myself. He's overprotective and it's becoming hard to manage.
My cell phone begins to ring and I look at the caller I.D. John. I sigh. He calls me a billion times a day. What the hell does he want now? I slide the unlock button and answer my annoying call.
Trish: What John? (I snap at him and he chuckles on the other end.)
John: Look outside. (He hangs up before I can question him. I sit on the couch staring at the window. What should I do? Should I look? I stand up and take a step but fear creeps in. No. What if Mya is setting a trap? I bet that's what this is. She's trying to trick me and if I look outside she'll do something horrible. A car horn honks outside in my drive way. I have an alarm system. If anything, I'll just hit the panic button and I'll be saved. What's the worse that can happen? I pull back the curtains. The second I do the horn blazes again. I scream and jump.)
Trish: AH! (I can hear John's hysterical laughter outside my window as I slowly open my eyes to see what he was laughing about. There he is, standing next to a red brand new car with a ribbon on top of. I stare at him confused. I slowly open my front door stepping out into the drive way.)
Trish: What... (He rushes up to me and gives me a quick kiss on the forehead before draping his arm over my shoulders. He grins ear to ear as he gazes at the car in front of us.)
John: It's for you. (I look up at him still unsure of what to think. He peeks down at me and his smile quickly vanishes.)
John: What? Aren't you happy?
Trish: I... I'm confused. How...
John: That old piece of crap rental car you've been driving has to go, Trish. Seriously, look at it. (I glance at the rental car I've been forced to drive because of that idiot Mya ruining my car. It's so old and beaten up. I'm kinda relieved to see it go.)
John: That thing has no safety features at all. Seriously, you're driving around a death trap. Besides, that's a 1999 model. It's old and worn out.
Trish: It was all I could afford from the rental place though.
John: I know, I know. But you don't have to worry about that anymore. You have your own brand new 2013 Dodge Dart. (He walks over and rubs the hood of the car.)
John: It leads it's class as the safest car of 2013. It has 10 airbags. In front of you, behind you, both sides of you, above you, and it even has knee air bags. You're covered in a crash. Stability control which helps if you start to lose control of your car. It'll kick in and get you back on track. Anti-lock brakes to help turning, and anti-whiplash technology. Rear view cameras, everything. This is the safest car you could drive. (He seems to be excited just talking about how safe it is. I know exactly why he got this car. Because he's paranoid and went out to buy me the safest car in the world.)
Trish: That all sounds very expensive, John. I...
John: Don't worry about any of that. I made the down payment and first 6 months of payments. Now, I paid a little extra upfront so you wouldn't have to spend a lot monthly. The payments will be about 200 a month but that's cheaper than what you were paying for your other car. It was originally supposed to be 350 a month but like I said I got it down for you. I was able to talk the salesmen into a good deal. If you ever need any help with the payments or maintenance, let me know and I'll be more than happy with helping you out. Here, get in. (He opens the driver's side door.)
Trish: John, I...
John: Trish, come on. Just try it out. (I reluctantly climb in the drivers seat and I'm pleasantly surprised. This is the most comfy car I've ever sat in. I place my hands on the steering wheel and it feels perfect against my palms. It's the perfect size and reach for me. This car feels like it was customized just to suit me. John closes the door and leans on the window.)
John: Like it? (I nod with enthusiasm.)
Trish: I love it. (I play with all of the buttons and switches. The lights flash and my turn signals blink off and on. The windshield wipers run over my windshield.)
Trish: It feels good. It's the perfect size for me. (I grab his face with both of my hands and pull him into a searing thank-you kiss.)
Trish: This is the best gift I've ever gotten. Thank-you so much. (I look up at him and he blushes.)
Trish: Why'd you go through so much trouble for me?
John: It was no trouble, Trish. You're carrying my child and I'm gonna do everything in my power to keep you as safe as I can. This is only the beginning. (He walks around to the passenger side and climbs in next to me.)
John: I've been doing research on this car ever since we found out you were pregnant. I couldn't stand seeing you drive around that hideous clunker.
Trish: How were you even able to afford this? (He smirks and shrugs. He distracts himself from the question as he starts fiddling with the rear view camera.)
Trish: John, seriously. (He sighs and looks up at me.)
John: I had some money saved up that I used.
Trish: How much?
John: That's not important.
Trish: I can't have you spend all kinds of money on me. It doesn't feel right. We're not even together. (He looks up at me with a sincere look. Not this again.)
John: We could change that, you know.
Trish: John... (He rolls his eyes.)
Trish: We've had this talk already. You know how I feel about that.
John: Here, let me show you how to start it. (He completely ignores my statement as he shows me the keyless ignition. The car starts up and it doesn't clank or rattle like that God awful rental car. It's silent and gentle.)
John: Take it out for a spin.
Trish: Seriously?
John: Go for it. (I am more than excited as I put the car in reverse to back out of my driveway.)
John: Hey, seat belt. (I roll my eyes as I pull on my seat belt. He is such a worrywart. After putting on my seat belt I use my rear view camera to help me back up. This is going to make life so much easier. I pull out onto my residential street and cruise down. The car rides so smooth and flawlessly. It handles quite well and the power steering is effortless.)
John: What do you think?
Trish: It's awesome. (I step on the gas and the speedometer starts to slowly rise.)
John: Ease up on the gas. (I smirk as I press down harder on the gas.)
Trish: Just relax and feel the car.
John: Trish, slow down. (The speed peaks at 75 miles per hour as I zoom past the neighborhood.)
John: I said slow down! (His angry yelling wipes out my good mood and I step hard on the break slowing down to a boring 25. He glares at me with anger protruding from his every pore.)
John: I see I'm gonna need to install some speed control in here. (He shakes his head in disappointment.)
Trish: Oh come on you big baby. Chill out. I was only messing around. I don't normally drive like that. Stop getting your panties in a bunch. (I pull back into my drive way and he climbs out grumpily. I jump out and run after him.)
Trish: Hey, relax. (I throw my arms around his shoulders and he pushes me off of him.)
John: Are you stupid, Trish? Seriously, because you're acting like it. What are you doing speeding like that? You're pregnant, act like it.
Trish: I said I was only kidding...
John: Yeah, until you wrap yourself around a pole and kill yourself. (I stare back at him and he seems really upset. I feel sorrow creeping up on me. My throat forms a knot. Great, now he's making me cry. I rush past him and into my living room. I run to the back of my house into my bedroom closing the door behind me.)
John's POV
I can't believe this woman. What the hell is her problem? First she wants to fight with Mya, now she's acting like she's in NASCAR. Doesn't she realize she isn't only responsible for herself anymore. She has another life she needs to worry about and she just doesn't get it. I sigh and go to find her. I knock on her bedroom door.
John: Trish.
Trish: Go away.
John: What are you 14? Stop pouting and come out here to talk like adults.
Trish: Leave me alone. (I sigh.)
John: Seriously, you're acting like I'm your father. I'm not trying to control you. I'm trying to protect you.
Trish: Don't you dare talk about my father.
John: Why not? (I stare at the door separating us. This is ridiculous. I'm not going to argue with a grown woman through a door. I open the door and look at her. She's sprawled out on the bed like the typical teenage girl with her face buried deep in a pillow.)
John: Why don't you want me talking about your dad? I bet you acted just like this when you got in a fight with him.
Trish: I don't know my dad. (What? Yes, she does. What is she talking about? I used to see her dad all the time. What was his name again? Willy?)
John: What's his name? Willy?
Trish: He's not my dad. (I think hard trying to remember high school. I used to go to her house all the time and Willy was always there. He was her dad, she even called him that all the time.)
John: What are you talking about? Yes, he is.
Trish: No, he's not. (I sigh. This woman is just too difficult to understand. I take a seat on the bed besides her.)
John: Talk to me. (She peeks up at me over her pillow she has her face stuffed in.)
John: Tell me about it. (Slowly, she sits up and looks at me with sorrow in her eyes. If I've learned one thing about women it's that you don't engage in an argument. Tell them they're right and let them explain to you how they feel. Fighting back only makes everything worse. Showing them you care makes them more open to tell you exactly why they feel the way they do.)
Trish: Willy isn't my dad.
John: I always thought he was.
Trish: He's not.
John: Then tell me the whole story.
Trish: I've never told anyone this before.
John: Then I can be your first. (She looks down at her fingers and takes a second to breathe in and out.)
Trish: After graduation me and my family got into a huge argument about college and stuff. Anyway, it was revealed that Willy wasn't my biological father. He adopted me and my sister as his own when he met my mother.
John: What happened with your real dad?
Trish: My mom had us out of wedlock. And he was so involved with drugs and alcohol he didn't even care about his family. My mom gave him an ultimatum and he chose the drugs and alcohol. (Holy crap. It all makes sense to me now. She was so mad at me when she thought I was going to abandon Mya because that's what her dad did. He left them so he could do what he wanted. She thought I was going to be like him if I ditched my "family". That's why she was so worried about me leaving her when I found out she was pregnant as well. I just thought she was a bitter woman towards me but it turns out she's not. She has some daddy issues, sure, but nothing that isn't already widely recognized. Women turn out like her a lot after their father abandons them. It's pretty common. I hear about it all the time. I reach my hand out and run my fingers through her hair.)
John: I get it. I know why you got so mad when you thought I was denying Mya and the pregnancy thing. Trust me, I'm not that type of guy. I knew Mya was lying right from the start and even if she wasn't I would have stepped up to take care of the baby. I'm not going to get a woman pregnant and let her fend for herself. Men who do that are pussies; plain and simple. (She looks up at me with a glimmer in her eye.)
Trish: Really?
John: Yes, really. I'm not some dead beat guy. I'm a man and I'll take responsibility for my actions. As you can see I'm not leaving your side. (She smirks and brushes a strand of hair from her forehead.)
Trish: That's because you like me. (I bite my lower lip. She knows I like her?)
John: You know about that?
Trish: It's not rocket science. You're way too eager to be with me. It's clear you have a thing for me. (I didn't know I was being that obvious. But she knows the truth and hasn't run yet. I should tell her how I really feel. There was never a better time to tell her I love her. She'll finally be accepting to it.)
Trish: As long as you don't fall in love with me then we'll be straight. (What?)
Trish: I couldn't handle that. I don't even think I know how I would be able to accept that. I'd probably stop talking to you. (I lick my lips while my heart sinks to my stomach. She'd stop talking to me if she knew how I really felt. All of my hopes shatter.)
Trish: You don't love me, do you? (She eyes me suspiciously and I snap out of my trance. I shake my head no and put on my best cocky smile.)
John: Of course not. I don't fall in love. (She grins with relief.)
Trish: Good. (Good? Not for me. Why can't she accept being loved by me? Why is it okay for me to like her but not to love her? Why is she so cold and harsh to me? What's so bad about being loved? This woman is clearly facing some inner turmoil. She needs someone to show her how much she is truly worth and that she can be unconditionally loved by a man. I could be that man but she would never let me. I've never been good enough for her.)
Trish: I'm sorry for springing this all on you. I just... I have issues. (You think? You don't even know how to let someone love you. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and grow the hell up. Sleeping around with men isn't solving anything. You need to get some serious help so you can accept being loved. I shake my head. Oh God, if I said that out loud she'd kill me. She is so frustrating. I can't show her how much I love her because she's unwilling to let me.)
Trish: What's on your mind? (Her eyes meet mine and once again I'm drawn out of my inner ranting.)
John: I just wanna know why you get so mad when I try to to protect you? (This is another issue she needs fixed. It's like she can't let anyone care about her.)
Trish: I don't know. I just don't like being bossed around. Vic used to tell me what to do and...
John: You need to let go of the past. Vic is old news. I mean, you were with him in high school. Kids are idiots. The stuff he put you through is not how real men act.
Trish: What are you talking about? You try to boss me around all the time.
John: I'm trying to protect you. There's a huge difference. Vic was controlling. I'm looking out for you.
Trish: How is telling me not to go outside at night time protecting me? You just don't want me having any fun or living my life. You're trying to control and suppress me.
John: What? That makes no sense. I tell you not to go out alone at night because there are a bunch of crazy people out there who could hurt you. You know that. Even Mya is out there and who knows what she might be trying to do. I had an alarm system installed in your house to keep you safe. Someone breaks in or something, you'll be covered. The police will be here within seconds and you won't get hurt. If you're wondering about the car, like I said, you're pregnant with my child. You need something safe to drive. If you get in an accident you'll be safe. (I feel myself getting annoyed with her. How dare she think I'm trying to control her and boss her around. If I let her do whatever she wanted she would have killed herself and my baby by now.)
John: I'm not doing this stuff to control you. I'm trying to protect you and my child. This isn't all about you. You have another life inside of you and you need to act like you care. That's my baby just as much as yours. You need to have consideration before you go out here acting like a freaking moron. What were you thinking going that fast? Safe car or not you could still crash it and kill yourself. You're a mother now and you need to think about that before you act. If you ask me, you're being selfish. It's 9 months, Trish. 9 months of being careful. And you can't even do that. Why won't you think of someone else for once? You'd rather get your own child killed because you don't want to stop living your life. If you wanna act reckless and go out and get yourself killed after you give birth then go right ahead. But I'm not going to let you put my baby in harms way. You have some growing up to do. Because right now you're selfish and immature. For the baby's sake I hope you wise up before it's born. If not this baby is gonna grow up without a mother. If anything happens to this baby and it's your fault, I'll never forgive you. (I stand up and look at her in disbelief.)
John: I can't even look at you right now. (I have never been so disappointed in someone my whole life. Here I am trying my best to keep her safe and she thinks it's because I want to suppress her fun. I'm trying to keep my baby safe and she swears it's all about her. She wants to live her life, fine by me. But she is going to wait until my baby is born and safe. Then she can do whatever the hell she wants. And to think I'm going to have to deal with her shit for the rest of my life. What have I gotten myself into?)
Trish: John, I...
John: I don't wanna hear it. You are the most selfish person I've ever met in my entire life. (I walk out of her bedroom without even looking back.)
Trish: John! Wait! (I open the front door and slam it closed without hesitation. How the hell could she be so stupid? I'm doing all of these things because I care about her safety and our baby. But she thinks I'm the bad guy here? How does that even make sense? I just bought her a new fucking car and this is how she repays me? By driving like a maniac? She's 28 and acts 14. I sincerely hope she changes before our baby is born. If she still acts this way, I'm taking the baby from her. There is no way I'm going to let her raise my child if she can't even act like a mature and responsible adult.)