Getting Help
Chapter 2
Ruthie stared at what looked like a normal apartment complex. She held the strap of her bag tightly as people walked past her on the street. She wondered if they knew what the place was for. She wondered if they were judging her. None of them looked at her. Either she was unimportant, or not good enough for their glares.
She walked forward and into the black gates. The front of the building was beautiful. There was a large front yard with the greenest grass she had ever seen. She felt herself feeling so much at peace as she stared at everything.
Just then the front door swung open. A blonde woman stood there with a huge smile on her face. Ruthie knew she must be the welcome party. She was thin and pretty, not quite what she had expected. She was expecting an older, fatter woman.
"Ruthie?" she said, her voice sounding sweet.
Ruthie nodded. "Yeah."
"I'm so glad you could make it," she said, walking toward her and holding out her hand. "I am Emily Richards. Welcome to John's house."
"Who's John?" Ruthie asked.
Emily smiled. "My father. He built this place from the ground up. Thirty years ago his sister killed herself because she was pregnant and felt she had no place to go. My father always said she could have come to him. So he let her. Well, not her, but others like her. Which would be you. Girls that are scared and feel they have no where to go. He passed away five years ago and I took over."
She ushered Ruthie inside. "He started with seven rooms. Over the years we've just added on. So many girls out there need help and guidance and that's what we're here for. We never turn anyone away. Let me show you to your room first."
Ruthie followed her up a long set of stares. When they reached the second floor she took Ruthie to the third door and knocked lightly. The door flew open to reveal a tall girl that had a small lump for a stomach.
"This is Rachel," Emily said to Ruthie. "Ruthie will be your new roommate." Emily checked her watch. "I have a meeting in thirty minutes. Can you show her the ropes, Rache?"
"No problem," Rachel answered.
Emily smiled at Ruthie. "You're in good hands." Then she turned and went back downstairs.
"Come on in," Rachel said as she walked over to her own bed.
Ruthie did as told. When she closed the door she noticed an bed behind it. She dropped her bag down and sat next to it. Her eyes wondered the room, trying to take in her new surroundings.
"How far along are you?" Rachel asked.
"A couple months," Ruthie answered. "I just started getting morning sickness."
"Third month probably," Rachel said, "I'm five and not showing much. As soon as I found out I told my parents. They kicked me to the curb without a second thought. I went to my boyfriend because I knew he would take care of me. But he denied the baby and slammed the door in my face. That's when I found John's house. What about you?"
Ruthie hugged her knees. "My dad's a pastor. All eyes are always on me. I just couldn't be there. So I ran away."
"So they don't know?" Rachel said.
"They don't have a clue," Ruthie responded.
Rachel shrugged. "Its hard being young and pregnant. You don't know who your going to disappoint or what they'll do once you do disappoint them. I thought my parents would help me out, but nope. It would have been best for me to take your way out. What about the dad?"
"Not worth talking about," Ruthie told her.
Rachel nodded, "Most aren't."
Rachel showed Ruthie all around the house and introduced her to the other girls. Then they went into the kitchen to prepare something for dinner. Rachel told Ruthie that her dream was to become a chef. Once she had the baby she wanted to go to a school and then start a restaurant.
"I know its far fetched," Rachel said shyly, "but its all I can dream of."
Rachel then made them both dinner. It wasn't huge or anything, just a simple egg, pork roll and cheese sandwich. Ruthie found it to be brilliantly delicious. Once she told Rachel she seemed so please with herself.
"Chef!" a very pregnant girl said as she walked in. "What's happening?"
Rachel nodded toward Ruthie. "This is my new roommate. Her name is Ruthie."
"Hey, Ruthie, I'm Kat," she said then pointed at her stomach. "And this will be Mark"
"Are you still on that?" Rachel complained.
Kat crossed her arms. "Its his father's name. He should be named after him. It was Mark's dream, he told me so. And once he holds his son in his arms he will fall madly in love and forget all about Amanda Withheart and he and I will raise little Mark together."
"He will not," Rachel told her. "He could care less."
"He came to visit, you know," Kat told Ruthie. "Twice while I've been here."
"To tell you to leave him alone," Rachel added.
"You'll see Rachel Chavez. You will see," Kat said and quickly turned and walked out.
Rachel sighed. "She believes what she's saying. I think its just the hormones. She's do in a couple weeks so she's probably getting a little crazy."
"Does that happen to everyone?" Ruthie asked.
"No, just the weak," Rachel laughed. "I'm joking. It might or it might not. Don't be scared of what's going to happen to you. Pregnancy is nothing to be afraid of. Its all in how you handle the situation."
Ruthie smiled. "How am I doing?"
"You got yourself help," Rachel answered, "meaning your doing just fine."