It had been a week since Louise's conversation with Darren. Louise hadn't left her room since. Melanie had finally convinced her to go to the town's festival, just for an hour.
Melanie, Jake, Ellie and Louise arrived and as soon as they did, Louise could feel everyone looking at her, judging her. They went over to where Bobby-Ray, Lirlyn and Clinton were.
"Hey everyone" said Jake.
Everyone greeted them, and they got a drink. While everyone was talking, Bobby Ray got up and put his arm around Louise.
"How you doin'?" he asked kindly
"I'm okay"
"Good and I want you to know I understand and I know you did what you thought was best"
"Thanks Bobby Ray"
"That's what God-Daddies are for" he said then he kissed the top of her head.
A little while later Louise, saw her other best friends Katie arrive with her boyfriend John. She wasn't sure how she was going to react to her, she was after all Darren's sister. Katie spotted Louise, she said something to John and came over.
"Hey" said Louise quietly still unsure.
"Hey" said Katie.
"I wasn't sure if you'd be talking to me"
"Yeah well, you're my best friend and I don't give a fuck what my mother says I'm not about to abandon you in your hour of need."
"Really?"
"Really," laughed Katie, "anyway I should be thanking you. Thanks to you Momma was so distracted she didn't notice me coming home drunk at 3am"
"Glad I could help" laughed Louise, and then she added seriously, "What about him? How's he doin'?" she asked referring to Darren, but she couldn't quite bring herself to say his name.
"He's not great, stayed in his room most the time, just staring at Grandma's ring"
"Why?" asked Louise confused, his Grandma had died years ago?
"Oh he didn't tell you, well no he couldn't have. Since he's 18 now, he got his inheritance from Grandma and that included her wedding ring, it's been in the family for 4 generations and before she died she had your name engraved on the inside of it"
"What? Really? I never knew, he didn't tell me," gasped Louise.
"He didn't know until a week ago"
"But she died when I was 12 we weren't even together then"
"I know but she always used to say that you two would end up together"
"Oh well, I guess I ruined that," said Louise miserably.
"Yeah, he's really upset I've never seen him this upset before. Momma keeps telling him she can get the letters off the ring, but he won't let her near it. For what it's worth I would have done the same in your position"
"Thanks"
"Uh I gotta go, John's waiting. What do you think?"
"He's cute"
"He has a motorcycle, my mother hates it"
Louise laughed and said, "See ya"
A little while later Louise decided to take Ellie to see the clown that was entertaining the children. She was carrying Ellie in the direction of the clown when Darren's mother stepped out in front of her.
"Well, well, well I was wondering when you were gonna show you face. I was beginning to think you'd left town"
"Well here I am" said Louise petrified at what she was going to say. She had always gotten on well with Darren's mother in the past, but she was old fashioned and very family orientated.
"Is that all you've got to say, after you killed my grandchild?"
"What else can I say? What's done is done"
"How about you're sorry," said Darren's Mother.
"I am sorry, sorry that I put myself in the position where I had to make that decision"
"I took you into my home and treated you like a second daughter and you do this" said Darren's mother raising her voice.
"Look, Joyce, I had to make a decision and I'm sorry that you don't agree with it"
"Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
Louise looked up and saw Darren come over and join the small crowd that was surrounding them. He was staring at Louise and he stood behind his mother.
"Honestly, no. I only owe one person an explanation and when he's ready to hear it, I'll gladly give it to him"
"No you won't. you'll stay the hell away from my son or I swear I'll…"
"You'll what?" said Melanie angrily as she appeared next to Louise with Jake.
"I show her what happens to dirty little whores"
"DADDY" scream Louise as Melanie lunged for Darren's mother. Jake pulled Melanie of her as Darren pulled his mother away.
"Stop it," shouted Louise, "look I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble, but you don't have to worry anymore. I'm leaving"
"You-you're what?" said Darren shocked
"Leaving, I got accepted to a good school in San Francisco and I'm going," said Louise sadly.
"Good riddance" said Darren's mother.
"Quiet" said Darren calmly, "When?"
"Tomorrow night"
"Right" said Darren just before he turned and walked away.
-----------
THE NEXT NIGHT
Louise was sitting in Jake's truck, he was taking her to the airport. Up ahead, Louise spotted Darren just standing at the side of the road.
"Daddy, can you pull over for minute?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
"Alright" said Jake as he pulled over to the side of the road, Louise got out and went over to Darren.
"You're really leaving," he said
"Yeah I have to," Louise replied.
"Because of me?" he said then he paused and added, "if it is, don't go I don't want to drive you from your home"
"You're not, I'm leaving because of me"
"Jesus, Lou. Why did things turn out like this? I love you so much. I wish none of this had ever happened"
"I know," said Louise the she gave him a hug, "I love you too. I'm sorry, but I didn't feel as if I had any choice I'm not ready to be a mother or a wife"
"I know that now, but I can't forget I'm sorry," he said and he was sorry he looked devastated.
"I know I couldn't expect you to, but I do love you and I always will"
"Thanks" he said unable to think of anything else to say.
Jake beeped his horn.
"I uh better go, I'm sorry, I love you, bye," said Louise then as she turned to leave Darren said,
"I'm gonna miss you so much, this place isn't going to be the same without you" then he went over to Louise and kissed her, "I love you. I understand about the abortion and I wish we could just…"
"Shhh I know. It's okay," said Louise then she walked away, got into Jake's truck and drove off.