Chapter 2-Prologue to the Steeles
Raymond Steele and Carla May Wilkes met as teenagers. They both lived in North Hollywood. Normally when people hear Hollywood, they think glitz and glam, but add North to it and it's more like piss and poor.
Ray was a senior, athletic, and receiving scholarships for basketball. He had two loving parents, Ray Sr. and Anna. He was an only child. He did well in school and had big plans of playing basketball in college. They didn't have a lot of money and lived in a neighborhood of mobile homes. It was enough for their family.
Carla was a freshman but already 16. She had a difficult life and missed a lot of school. Her mother Jackie was mostly to blame. She was attached to Ray, but not for love. He was her way out. Carla lived in the same neighborhood as Ray.
Her home was in dire need of repair and Ray and his father helped fix it up. Carla lived in a 2 bedroom mobile home and it needed lots of work, which Ray worked on free of charge. He was great with his hands. She grew up with a single mother who paid the bills by having sex with random men and gambling to turn a dollar. Sometimes she was lucky and sometimes she wasn't. Carla often prayed for luck, because she would live in hell if not.
Ray was working in the bathroom. It was newly painted and he and his father remodeled the whole thing. "You sure made this look nice." Ray grabbed her and put her on the sink, "Not as nice as you." Ray was older, but he was a decent guy.
She put the moves on him and until he started he didn't know she was a virgin. "Shit Carla! Are you a virgin?" Carla gripped his shoulders, "Don't stop!" He held her, "Why didn't you tell me?" Carla looked at him, "It's no big deal." Ray looked at her, "You were a virgin, it's a big deal." Ray couldn't leave her after that.
They dated after that only seeing each other. Carla was worried about losing him. He was about to sign a commitment to UCLA for basketball. She needed to keep him. She poked holes in the condom the night before. She planned it and Ray had no idea.
She pulled off his shirt and unbuckled his belt and pants. "Condom!" Carla reached in her pocket, "Luckily for you, I'm always prepared. They fucked right there on the sink and Carla would have to wait and see if her plan worked.
He put his shirt on, "Are you coming to my game, my parents can drive you?" Carla kissed him, "Absolutely. She tucked him back into his boxers and maybe me and your friend can go one on one afterwards." They laughed, "I love you Carla." Carla smiled, "I love you more."
That night turned out to be a nightmare. Ray went for a dunk and the opponent blocked it. They were tied up and Ray fell awkwardly on his knee. Instead of celebrating, they ended up in the emergency room. Ray tore his ACL and no college would touch him.
To make matters worse, Carla's plan did work, she was pregnant. Her mother went nuts, "What the hell am I supposed to do with two mouths to feed. You better get rid of it." When they heard the yelling, Ray stumbled as quickly as possible on his crutches with his parents' help. "No, she won't. That's our baby and you have nothing to do with it."
She smirked, "You think my daughter is going to want you now? Your career is ruined." Anna was furious, "Don't you dare say those mean things to my son!" She scoffed, "She's not much different from me." Everyone turned to Carla. She had to make a decision in a quick moment.
Her mother was right, she only wanted him because he was a star. She saw a future different from her mom with money and fame. She trapped him and didn't even love him. Carla felt embarrassed for the first time in her life and she was ashamed. She joined Ray's side, "I'm nothing like you."
Carla left and went home to live with Ray and his parents. They were so different from what she grew up with. "Mr. and Mrs. Steele, "I'm so sorry about what my mom said. I do love Ray." Ray Sr. put his hand on her shoulder and Anna hugged her, "It's ok."
Carla went out on the deck that Ray and his dad built. Ray was sitting looking like he was a million miles away. For the first time he doubted Carla's love for him, but it didn't matter. Carla was carrying his child, so he couldn't afford to let them down. "After I graduate, I'm joining the military. I want you and the baby to stay here with my parents and I want you to finish high school. I will send every cent home."
Carla never knew that kind of sacrifice and love. She vowed to try for him and only him. She held her stomach and knew this was on her. The baby was a mistake, but she was too involved now. "Ray, I…" Ray stood up, "Don't, just take care of my baby please.
Ray, being a decent guy, married Carla. "Are you happy to be Mrs. Steele?" Carla smiled, "Yes. Why would you ask that?" Ray shrugged, "I know this wasn't the plan, but I'm going to take care of both of you." Carla felt bad, "I love you Ray."
August came and his parents threw a baby shower and a going away party. The months changed and Carla changed some. She knew the baby was coming. Ray was worried, but he knew his parents would help. He saw her in their room. Ray put his arms around Carla and held her stomach. "I'm going to miss you and I mean it." Ray smiled, "Maybe you fell for me after all."
Carla never told him about the condom, she couldn't. "Do you want a going away present?" Ray laughed, "Do you see all of these people?" Carla shook her head, "They're outside." He lifted her dress, "Don't scream." Carla bit her lip and finally Ray had to cover mouth but they made it happen. "That was probably the best gift here."
Ray's leaving meant he would miss the birth of his daughter since he was away at boot camp. Jackie never met her granddaughter. She was found raped and murdered when Carla was seven months pregnant. Ray, Ray Sr., and Anna walked into the home Carla and her mother Jackie shared. "Honey, I'm so sorry."
Ray kissed her, "Let me take care of this grass while I'm here. I'll be back." Carla thought Anna was kind and more of a mother than her own. "We love you staying with us, but with the money Ray's sending back, you could make these payments. Carla looked around, "Ray put a lot of work in here didn't he?" Ray Sr. spoke up, "I can help finish it and make it almost new."
Carla smiled and agreed, once the baby came, they would need their own space. Ray sent the paperwork needed to take over the payments. He was over 18 with a job and his parents co-signed. Carla gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on September 10th. She had Carla's brown hair and Ray's blue eyes.
Ray Sr. and Anna smiled, "Does she have a name?" Carla had done so many things wrong, but this felt so right. "Yeah, meet your granddaughter Anastasia Rose Steele." Carla and her baby had a family. Things were pretty good and they would stay the same for a while.
