Chapter 13

The next couple of weeks where uneventful. School was pretty boring as usual until one night when the teacher announced they would be adding a new, mandatory class.

"Starting next week" began Mr. Symes "you will be taking a Sex Education class. It will take up the last hour of night school. It is a mandatory class which means everybody must take it. Mrs. Rose, the sophomore guidance counselor, will be the teacher." I could feel about a million eyes on me. I slid down in my seat. After Mr. Symes made the announcement we where dismissed.

I was standing outside, waiting for Soda to pick me up when I over heard two girls talking.

"I bet I know why they're making us take that stupid class" said one of the girls. Both of them looked older then me. Juniors probably.

"Why?"

"I'll give you a hint. He's standing right over there" said the same girl. The other one turned her head slightly and I pretended not to notice.

"Oh yeah" said the other.

They both started walking my way. I pretended not to see them.

"So, about that class" said the one girl, loud enough for me to hear, "I think it'll be interesting."

"Yeah me too. But I think it might be kinda pointless. It's a little too late for some of us" said the other girl, bumping into me, causing me to drop all my books. "Oops, sorry."

Sorry? Yeah right. I started picking up my books. As I did, I could feel tears coming. I quickly looked around to see if anybody was watching. I waited till the girls where gone, then I just let the tears go. I got down on the hard, cement and curled up in a bawl. I was tired. Not just physically but mentally. I was tired of all the things people where saying about me. I was tired of all the stares I got from people whenever I took Davanee out. I was tired of people judging me before they knew me.

I stopped crying when I saw Soda's car pull up in front of the school. I wiped the tears away and got in the car.
"Hey, how was it?" asked Soda, speeding out of the parking lot.

"Fine" I replied, leaning my head against the window.

"Hey, I brought someone to see ya."

"Who?"

"Look in the backseat."

I looked in the backseat to see Davanee sitting in her car seat.

"Hey baby" I said, reaching behind the seat to rub her head.

"You know, she's not suppose to be out this late" I said.

"Yeah, I know, but I figure it would be good for you to see her. It looks like you've had a long night" said Soda.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yeah. Your eyes are really red. You been cryin'?"

"No. Just tired."

"Ok but you know I'll get it outa ya sooner or later."

I didn't say anything. It was quiet the rest of the car ride except for Davanee making baby noises. When we got home, I took Davanee inside and put her to bed without saying anything. I was tired and I didn't feel like talking.

As soon as Davanee fell asleep, I walked into my room and threw myself down on the bed. I just stared at the ceiling until I slowly drifted into a coma like sleep.

I woke up the next morning to the sound of the whole gang out in the living room. "It must be late" I thought, "and it must be Saturday." Saturdays and Sundays are the only days that the gang comes over in the mornings. I sat up slowly and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I shuffled out to the kitchen only to find Soda making breakfast and Two-Bit attempting to feed Davanee.

"Mornin' sleepin' beauty" said Soda.

"Mornin'" I said, yawning.

"We was wonderin' when we where gonna see you this mornin'. Ya hungry?"

"Not right now. Where's Darry?"

"He had to go to work today. I gotta go to work too" said Soda.

"Why?"

"Saturday is the busiest day at the station" said Soda.

"Hey, Pony?" said Two-Bit.

"What?"

"She's not eating . She hasn't eaten this mornin'. Can you come do this?"

"Yeah, sure." Two-Bit got up so I could sit down. Of course, she opened her mouth for me on the first try. I was the only one who could get her to eat so far.

"How'd you do that?" asked Two-Bit.

"I dunno. She only eats for me I guess" I said.

We finished up breakfast and Davanee and I went to the park. To my surprise, I saw Anya and Hailey there. Anya was pushing Hailey on the swings.

"What are you doing here?" asked Anya.

"It's a park. Am I not allowed to be here?" I asked.

"No, your allowed to be here."

"Look, I'm sorry about the other night. Soda has a big mouth."

"It's ok, I guess. I guess I kinda over reacted. It's just, it's been a really bad week for me. I mean, my parents have been fighting a lot lately and Tommy's been real sick and I've had to baby sit Hailey every night."

"Why?" I asked, pushing Davanee in one of those swings for babies.

"Stephen's been real busy lately. Work, school, girls, all that stuff. His parents would watch her but they've gotta work too. It's almost like he's acting like he doesn't have a kid, ya know?"

"Yeah, I think I know what you mean. Maybe you should talk to him about that" I suggested.

"I dunno. Stephen and I have been friends for a long time and I don't want to lose him as a friend."

"Yeah but if you two have been friends for a long time he might listen to you" I said.
"That's true but I dunno. He doesn't like listening to people. He doesn't like being told what to do."

"Who does?" I asked.

"Nobody I guess. But I mean, he really doesn't like it. He practically throws a fit if you tell him what to do."

"Like a two year old does?" I asked.

"Yeah, kinda like that" said Anya, laughing slightly.

"Anya?" asked Hailey.

"Yes?"

"I hungry."

"We didn't bring any snacks, babe" said Anya, lifting Hailey off the swing.

"There's a Tastee Freeze right around the corner" I suggested.

"I don't have any money."

"I do. Come on, it'll be my treat" I said. Anya thought about it for a minute before finally saying "ok."

I put Davanee back in the stroller and we made our way to the Tastee Freeze with Hailey helping me push the stroller. I don't know what it is about little kids and wanting to push strollers and shopping carts.

"So what have you been up to these past couple of weeks?" asked Anya.

"Nothing really. I started giving Davanee baby food and have had to change my shirts about five times a day since."

Anya laughed and said "she'll stop spitting up eventually. Hailey did."

"I spit up?" asked Hailey.

"Yes, you use to spit up. All babies spit up" said Anya.

"I not a baby no more" said Hailey.

"Nope, you're a big girl now" I said.

"Are we almost there?" asked Hailey.

"Yeah, we're here" I said. To my surprise, there weren't a whole lot of people there. We walked in and took a seat at one of the booths that was kinda in the corner.

"I been here before" said Hailey.

"When?" asked Anya.

"Daddy take me here for birfday."

"Cool. So, what are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?" I asked.

"Well, nothing really. My family doesn't really go all out for the holidays and Tommy's spending the holidays with his girlfriend's family this year."

"You know, you and Hailey are welcome to come over to our house" I offered. It was the least I could do after hearing she didn't have anybody to spend Thanksgiving with.

"Are you sure? Aren't you going to have a lot of people over there already?"

"What's two more people? Besides, we're use to having a full house. Come on, it'll be fun. Holidays are always fun at our house" I said.

"Alright if you insist. But I dunno about Hailey. I'd have to ask Stephen. I'm sure he'll say yes but just to be sure, ya know?"

Anya and I talked for a little while longer while Hailey played with some of Davanee's toys. Sure they where babies toys but they kept her entertained. After about an hour or so, we decided to leave. The place was getting really crowded anyways. As we where walking home it started to rain. We tried to get home as fast as we could but we still got soaked.

"So, I'll see you later?" asked Anya.

"Yeah. You can stay if you want" I offered. I didn't want her and Hailey walking home in the rain.

"Thanks but I gotta get Hailey home. Maybe some other time" said Anya as she and Hailey walked off the porch. I stood on the porch, waved goodbye, and watched them disappear down the sidewalk. I took Davanee inside, dried her off, and put her down for a nap.

"You two make up?" asked Soda quietly so that he wouldn't wake Davanee.

"Yeah" I replied.

"I'm sorry about Halloween" said Soda.

"It's ok. You didn't know she was going to react like that" I said, walking out of the nursery. There was a moment of silence between us. I looked up at Soda and noticed an apprehensive look on his face. Something was bothering him.

"You ok?" I asked.

"Yeah, I guess. I dunno."

"What's wrong?"

"The people from the state are coming to check up on us this week. They always come on the first Wednesday of every month and the first Wednesday is the day after tomorrow."

"Yeah, so?" We've had the people from the state come and check in on us before. I didn't see why this would be bothering Soda now.

"Well, what if they decide to take Davanee away? What if they think you're not a good parent?" asked Soda. I hadn't thought about that. They couldn't take Davanee away from me, could they? I mean, I've never done anything that would get my in trouble with the cops or anything. Darry would kill me if I ever went to jail. My record was totally clean.