Chapter 56

Something Blue

Manny came back to town a few days later for the weekend to go wedding dress shopping with Emma. Emma seated as she leafed through a bridal magazine while Manny was getting dressed in her first gown. Manny jeered excitedly, "I'm so excited to try this one on."

"No matter what you wear you're going to look great." Emma smiled, "I can't wait to see it. Is it the one that has the beaded bodice?"

"Yes!" Manny smiled stepping into the gown and zipping up, "it's the whole reason we went to this boutique. I saw it in that magazine you were eyeing up while in the airport.

Wedding dress shopping was something to help Manny get back to business and reality. With her show being picked up for a new season mid-season, therapy helping her and being home she's had some good news since the Craig fiasco. She's still a little on edge but she's decided to get on with the show and get down to business with her wedding planning. She hired a coordinator for the big stuff like dj catering venue and centerpieces and more galore but when it comes to the wedding dress she knew she wanted to take her best friends advice after all she chose Emma to be her maid of honor. No expense was spared for instance when it comes to some things while Manny wants a classic Hollywood theme Jay wanted to drive a newer model car with the just married sign so they've naturally clashed on a few things. Jay wants chocolate cake and Manny wants vanilla. Jay wants gaudy decorations and Manny likes it more clean and minimal classic with a light pink and cream color scheme where he'd prefer a lot of bright colors the word compromise has been embedded in both their heads. Manny likes cohesive and he likes hodgepodge. The one thing they agree on is they want their wedding to be fun for everyone who comes through and huge. Mr. and Mrs. Santos gave them some money toward what they need for the wedding at dinner the night before.

While Emma and Manny went shopping, Jay decided to spend time with Sean and catch up with Alex also. They decided to go out to lunch where they got double cheese pizza. Alex told them the good news that she was hired to work at The Dot so they decided to get and then they played Mariokart at Jay and Tracker's. Alex beat them so they played so many rounds for the remainder of the day. Tracker hadn't been home because he was out with Ellie she technically had to work but she had an extra ticket to this concert she had to write up a review for and he was her plus one.

Alex volunteers at the sober living house for their hotline to make a few extra bucks so after her winning streak she retreated back to the house to work. While she waits for calls she doodles in her sketchbook and journals. She got a call but as soon as she picked up the person hung up. Since the phone was an older model it had no caller ID. Finally the phone rang again, "Sunset Arms Hotline, what can I help with?"

"Hi. Its true I can talk about anything right?"

"Of course. I'm here to listen."

"I don't know where to start." the voice sounded sad. "I've called a few times and then paniced. This is private right? No one will know?"

"100% confidential, your truths are safe with me. I'm just here for support anything I ask is so I can better help you."

"I don't know if I can talk about this, I'm pregnant but no I'm not sixteen."

"Oh." Alex was caught off guard, "do you need any resources, transportation to programs? I have a list of numbers if you need them. How far along?"

"It's complicated the situation but I'm covered on that end. In a month, I'm due in a month and then I'll hand the reins to a friend. I'm not ready to be a mother, my life is a mess. It's just that I'm worried about things that are somewhat related." She paused before she confessed, "My boyfriend and I have been having issues, one he's not happy about me having this baby and he says I'm just giving the baby away but that's also not the real issue we fight constantly but that's not really out of the ordinary lately it's been turning violent."

"Gotcha and violent how?"

"He's thrown things at me, choked me, thrown me against walls and I'm nursing a pretty gnarly black eye."

"Does the friend know?"

"Not really. I mean I've told her we've been fighting and she's been nice to me but I couldn't even say she's my friend. I don't know her well enough to call her my friend but she's been good to me given the situation I'm in."

"Is it possible for you to stay with her."

"I doubt it. I really don't have a place to go. I don't really talk to my parents so much. I got emancipated when I was in high school and I don't know. I've never done something like ask for help before. I'm terrified."

Alex sifted through her binder and went on the computer to look for options on lodging while the caller talked some more about her fears. "I know shelters aren't so keen on having late term pregnancies given the dangers. However we do have a bed if you need it here at the sober living facility if you need a place to go tonight. No questions asked but perhaps a name."

"Really?"

"Really."

"My name is Camille." She answered before sighing, "I just know that once I leave I can't go back."

"Camille, why is that?"

"Because ma'am," She paused for a moment to collect herself, "I think the next time we fight we'd be planning a funeral for not just me but who knows I haven't been to my prenatal appointments to find out. I'm not just scared for me."

"If you're that afraid for your life, you really should really consider coming. It's a safe place. It's also something you could consider because its secure he won't be able to even know you're here standard HIPPA practice. Think about the baby too, but no pressure."

"I live about two hours away in Wasaga. If I leave tonight, I'll get here by maybe ten if that's not too late. I just got to pack a few essentials"

"I'll let the guard know at the front."

"What else should I know?"

"You'll get a binder with the rules such as no smoking, no drinking, no drugs unless they're prescription and you have a script with your doctor and most importantly curfew is at 9:30 sharp and lights out is at 11. All the groups are free to go to as long as you're a resident."

"Thank-you. I should get packing before he gets home."

"I'll see you around."

"Cam!" He hollered walking up the concrete steps to the house.

As Camille hung up she dashed to her bedroom she heard the door open. It was Tyler he was drunk she could smell it because her senses are heightened during this time in her pregnancy. She sighed, she knew what was going to happen. "Fuck," She whispered to herself she had to think fast, she yelled from the bedroom "I'm upstairs but I'm staying at Sean and Emma's tonight."

"The hell you are." He muttered sarcastically as he got to the bedroom.

"I am." She said firmly, "I think after last night we just need time apart."

"No. You were planning to leave before I got home weren't you?" She nodded didn't say anything with pursed lips, he raised his voice, "Weren't you?"

"Please, just calm down."

"I can't believe you're going to give the baby away after everything we've been through without even asking me what I think. It makes me think it's not even mine is it?"

She was quiet but she sighed, "Ty it's . . . it's just -"

"Tell me you cheated and we'll be fine."

"I didn't cheat."

"Bullshit. Who'd you fuck because the timeline doesn't match up. I saw the paperwork. We were on a break when it happened? How could you be so stupid. Do you think I'm stupid?"

Softly she told him, "No."

"I think you do." He then grabbed her shirt and threw her on the bed and slapped her face hard with an open hand. She then socked him square in the eye for that but he had her pinned still as he grabbed his eye, "you fucking bitch, you're going to pay for that."

"No Tyler, just let me go. Please don't do this." She cried as she struggled to escape him.

Devoid of emotion he simply told her, "I'm doing what I should have done a long time ago. Someone ought to teach you a lesson." He pulled off her pants and then unbuckled his pants and he reached above to turn out the lights on the fan as she cried and tried to push him off of her. He didn't stop. When he was done he got off of her and and passed out.

She cried in the fetal position quietly before getting up. She looked at the clock and debated with herself whether she wanted to go or not. She had time but not much. She knew she couldn't just sit there. A few minutes went by she recovered herself and wiped her eyes once she knew he was down and asleep for the night. She grabbed the blue duffle bag and threw anything and everything she could find, ran like hell out the door and drove. She had thrown on a pair of shorts. She had a headache but she knew she had to escape. When she arrived she parked before she banged on the door and saw the security guard at the desk. "I need help." She said through the glass.

The guard got up and saw her she looked like a wreck with the blue duffle bag that said Wasaga High on it. She was in cheerleading and Tyler was the quarterback a matchmade in teenage royalty heaven only it wasn't so much that way anymore. He opened the door for her, "I spoke with the hotline."

"Are you Camille? Let me get Sheri the coordinator. Have a seat."

She impatiently bounced her leg up and down while she waited paranoid that Tyler was coming back. She sniffled and wiped her nose with her arm, "Come on."

"Hi Camille. Let me take you through intake." Sheri came over to her and Camille stood up. She wordlessly followed her. She wanted to scream what had happened to her tonight but she held it in like she does with most things.

"Is there a doctor?" She finally asked him.

"Yes. We have a doctor on call here. What's going on?"

"I just . . . I was I was just -" She answered losing her nerve she finished, "I just want to make sure the baby is alright and I have a massive headache"

She warmly smiled, "I can take you to the doctor after we do your intake. Will be fifteen minutes, can you wait till then so we can help you. Okay hun? Follow me it's down the hall."

She took a deep breath and affirmed positively and softly, "Okay." and then she followed her into the office.