“I’m not hungry,” Joyce replied, reaching for the sheet.
“That’s too bad. We have to get washed up right now,” I said, giggling at my sleepy friend. I took off for the bathroom as soon as Joyce placed both feet on the floor.
I was sitting at the dining room table with Joyce eating hot oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins for breakfast when the doorbell rang. We were still wearing our pajamas and housecoats when Mama answered the door and returned a few seconds later with someone following closely behind her. “Reecy, you have a visitor,” she announced, stepping aside.
“Good morning, everybody,” Lena Turnipseed said, glancing from me to Joyce. Sporting a printed smock top, bell bottom jeans, brown clogs, and a fierce-looking afro, she was forcing a smile as she rubbed a bulging belly.
I rose from my seat on shaky legs, ran over to Lena, and hugged her neck. “I’ve never been so happy to see anyone in my life,” I stated, bursting with joy.
“It’s good to see you, too, Reecy,” Lena replied, returning the warm hug. I could feel the tension in her body as we embraced.
“I’m so sorry for betraying your trust in me. Can you ever forgive me?” I asked, lowering my eyes. I held my breath waiting for her to reply.
“Girl, what are you talking about?” Lena asked, shaking me by the arms. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for what you did.”
I released the breath I’d been holding as my heart thumped. “What do you mean?” I asked, searching Lena’s face. “I thought you’d hate me for the rest of your life.”
“Reecy, girl, I could never hate you. I owe you everything. I was lying in my bed last night just crying my eyes out. That’s when Ms. Mary knocked on my door and said my parents were there to get me. Girl, I jumped out of there faster than a jackrabbit.”
“Really?” I asked, staring at Lena. My heart was finally starting to feel at ease. “What was it like at the group home? Was it safe?” I asked, remembering the conversation I’d had with Grandma.
“Yeah, it was a pretty safe place. It wasn’t too bad. It’s just not where I wanted to be. I did make a few friends the short time that I was there. But most of those girls were in sad shape. Some of them came from single parent homes. Some of them had been abused and living on the streets. I heard some stories that you wouldn’t believe,” Lena stated, shaking her head. “I’m just happy to be out of there. I really didn’t want my baby born in a place like that,” she said, placing a hand on her stomach. The tone of her voice was spooky. I’d never heard Lena sound so serious.
“I’m just grateful you’re back,” I replied. I was relieved to know that Lena wanted to leave the shelter.
“And I’m grateful to be back. For a while there, I didn’t know what to expect.”
I showed Lena to a seat at the dining room table and sat down beside her. I was overwhelmed with excitement and had so many questions I wanted to ask. But first things first.
“So what’s going to happen now?” I asked, taking one last bite of my oatmeal.
“Well, I’m back at my parents’ house. I told them everything that happened, and we’re going to work it out. It’s not going to be easy living with them, but at least they’re willing to accept the baby. We have a long way to go,” Lena said, patting her stomach. “But I just have to take it one day at a time.”
“That’s so good. Listen, Lena, I hope you don’t mind. But I told Joyce everything last night,” I said, glancing over at my quiet friend. Joyce smiled, lowering her eyes to Lena’s belly.
“Sure, that’s all right,” Lena stated, turning towards Joyce. “You know, everyone is going to know now that I’m home. I really don’t care anymore. People can talk about me all they want. I’m going to have my baby and be a good mother.”
“What about the father of your child? Did you tell your parents about him, too?” I asked, leaning over my empty bowl. I hoped Lena had shared the father’s name with her parents.
“Yeah, they know all about Rodney Payne, and they’re going to meet with his parents later today,” Lena said, releasing a sigh. “It feels wonderful to finally have everything out in the open. Now I can get on with my life.” Her voice sounded a little more at ease with the situation.
“Yes, you can,” I stated, smiling at Lena. “Thank you for coming over here this morning. You don’t know what a relief it is to see you.” I reached out for Lena’s hands.
Lena lowered her eyes for a second, then she raised her head, looking directly into my teary eyes. “Reecy, I’m really sorry for putting you through this nightmare. I never should have put you in the middle of my problem like that. But I was so scared, and I didn’t know who to turn to. You truly are a good friend.”
“Yes, she is,” Joyce interjected, placing her hands on top of ours. “She’s my best friend.”
The end, for now…
About the Author
B.J. Williams is a new young adult author, who grew up in the 70s. This is her first of four books to be published in the Bell Bottom High series, which is loosely based on her life as a teenager growing up in Arkansas.
Stay tuned for:
Bell Bottom High, Book II, Sophomore Sorrows
June 2, 2017
Bell Bottom High, Book III, Junior Jewels
July 1, 2017
Bell Bottom High, Book IV, Senior Sins
August 4, 2017
Contact on social media at:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook/Instagram: B.J. Williams
Bell Bottom High: Book 1: Freshman Fears Page 10
