Chapter Seventeen
Graduation Day
Another week under our belt, prom done and schools officially over. My life doesn’t change much it never does. I need to finish up this shift and get home, Toby and Mando both walk tonight. I am so proud of them. Amandolette will be going off to a fashion institute in Cali soon and Toby will be heading down south to sport that purple and gold. I will be left behind as always, but for once in my life I won’t be left alone. I can’t be bitter, I am grateful for the time with those two. Making my last round I check on my customers, refill the napkin dispensers that need it, and check all the supplies. I wipe my hands on a dish rag and untie my apron, ready to go. It’s a first for me in a while because with Toby and Mando getting ready for their special night neither will be picking me up, even though it caused a huge fight I won, I get to walk myself home. Saying my goodbyes and see y’all soons, I open the door and walk out smiling because it’s a beautifu,l sunny afternoon, and I can clear my head on the short walk.
The parking lot is almost empty, I stretch my arms up over my head reaching to touch the shadowed sun, praying I make it home before the bottom falls out. I take my first step “Hey Princess, a little bird told me you needed a ride home.” my smile is instant and I can guarantee it reaches my eyes. Rome is sitting atop his shiny black bike watching me “Come on you got to get ready and I have to get you to the field crazy girl.” I am going to beat Mando, should’ve known she wouldn’t let me walk. It’s all good I bet the sun feels just as good on Rome’s bike. He doesn’t get to ride it much because of the boys. He has talked about selling it, he has his mother junker but I always tell him no way. “Rome did you know It has never rained in Calama? That’s a little town in the Atacama Desert of Chile.” he chuckles and pats the seat “Come on pretty girl, we don’t live in Chile and we don’t want to get caught up on this if it starts.” I climb on “And Aurora you don’t have to act all nervous around me the bike’s safe, I promise” he whispers as he hands me a helmet. It’s not the bike that’s starting to make me nervous. He doesn’t know that of course.
The ride is short and we beat the rain. “Where will they hold the ceremony, if it rains tonight? Will they call it off?” handing him the helmet and trying to fix my hair. “Nah, they won’t call it off. I’m pretty sure they decided to set it all up in the gym by now those clouds look way to dark to fuck with.” He pulls the tarp over the bike “I’ll be taking you over in the clunker mobile, just in case.” He grabs my hand as we walk towards my trailer chatting about the changes coming. “I won’t ever leave you, you know that right?” He stops me and I didn’t even realize I was crying a little. Rome pulls me into a hug “I’m serious Rory, unless you tell me to walk away; I will always be here for you. Serious as a heart attack, you are as much a part of me as my brothers.” We resume our walk and as we round the corner I see Thax laying on the ground, one hand reached out on the first step. Running so hard and fast I almost crash myself, grabbing Thax up I check for his heartbeat and once I find it I start checking his entire body. I have tears drenching my cheeks and I jerk his face up close to hug him “Thaxton please open your eyes and tell me what happened.” looking around for Rome I see him standing by some busted glass. “Should we call the..” what’s that smell? I bend closer to Thaxton’s face and sniff “OHMYGOSH” I slap my hand up over my face and cry harder, Rome bends down beside me and lifts Thax up to carry him in. I hear the door open and then it slams again. Next thing I know I am being lifted to. “It’s ok, he will be fine. It looks like he got his hands on Carol’s R&R. We can get him cleaned up and put him to bed. Tomorrow you can rip his face off about it.”
I can’t believe I had to change his clothes. He is 13 years old and puking and pissing all over himself. It makes me sick mentally and psychically. The smell of him sent me over the edge and Rome had to finish, while I heaved the green and yellow bile from my stomach. “They are going to be so mad at me for not coming tonight.” I reach over and tuck Thax in, he is snoring so loud and each breath he takes is so labored, it brings a new tear from me. “I am failing everyone I care about. They will be so pissed and look at Thax. I have let him down so bad.” I slam the front door as I walk out. I wish I could just take off running and never look back. Just like my dad did. I don’t know anything about him but I know he was the smartest person I have never met, because he ran from Carol and this life. Rome plops down beside me and pulls me close draping his arm around my shoulder “First of, you haven’t let everyone down. Toby and Amandolette will understand this. You could not leave him alone. Thax is young and he sees Carol all the time laying around wasted it seems normal, he knows you aren’t here much but he doesn’t understand it all. You working to feed him and provide, it’s time you explain things to him Rory. He is old enough to understand that,if you tell him, and we will make sure this is a onetime thing. As for me, you have NEVER let me down and you never will. Fact!” My handicapped phone chirps and I cringe I know it’s about to be something ugly. “Where were you?” I just look up at Rome through tear glazed eyes. I couldn’t even respond fast enough.
I hear the truck before I see it, I don’t think much about it no one ever comes here. “What the hell is going on? Is he why you couldn’t drag your sorry ass to my graduation?” I jerk my head up looking to see Toby standing there. I think the fact he not only stopped but that he is out of his truck has stunned me completely stupid. I am rendered useless. I wipe my eyes and push away from Rome’s embrace, instantly regretting it because now I don’t feel safe now. Toby is beyond anger. “Toby no! I we Thax..” I couldn’t get it out. “Shut up Aurora, I don’t care about your excuses. I fight my mother over you, and this is what your off doing. I can’t believe I was almost disowned for you, and on my most important night you’re out here wrapped up into him, right out here on your porch. I must be the dumbest guy alive.” he kicks his foot out hard colliding it with an old bucket sitting there. “Toby I… it’s not what it looks like, Thax was dru..” “SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP, I am done. I don’t know why I ever messed with such a trashy trailer whore like you.” Rome stands up beside me from the steps “Don’t talk to her like that. She’s done nothing wrong and if you would shut your mouth for a minute you might understand. And calling her names, that would make you the dumbest fucker alive.” Toby is glaring at Rome with a look that could melt the skin off of us. He points his finger at Rome “You don’t dare take up for her, you’re just as bad you reject. I call them as I see them. Just ask her how she was screaming my name just barely a month ago. She loved every second I was ramming into her in the back of my pick up on the side of the fucking road. She is just like her mother.” I think he tried to smile but it happened so fast. “Princess tell me he is 18.” the question didn’t register, I am frozen in some weird place between fire and ice I just shake my head yes and then all hell broke loose. “Don’t talk about her like that you piece of shit” POP! “She is nothing like that bitch, she is a good person with a heart and soul of gold” WHAP “ She brings light to everything she touches” POW “You never deserved her.” Toby doesn’t say anything he can’t. Rome’s on top of him with his fist coming down over and over and over busting him in his ribs. I find my feet and run over to grab Rome, I almost get punched but Rome sees me and stops. Standing up I pull Rome to me, I have to stop this. I wrap my arms around Rome’s stomach and just cry. It works he picks me up and takes me inside my palace, a few seconds later we hear the truck drive off.
Chapter Eighteen
Rome’s on the sofa when my phone rings, his hand wrapped up with an ice pack on it. He picks it up while I get us a glass of water. “Yea she’s ok, right here. No he showed up freaking out calling her a bunch of names, yea, so I busted his ass like he needed.” He looks up at me over the counter and I shake my head yes, I already know he is asking if he can explain “I picked her up at work and when he got here we found Thax passed out drunk. Yes! He is ok. We got him cleaned up and she got sick. Ok see you soon.” I
hear the phone hit the nasty coffee table. Carol has dried beer rings all over it, an overflowing ash tray, and even a playboy is laying there. She is so careless, her and her boy friend’s get off on that mess then she leaves it for Thax to pick up. “So Princess, you gave away the golden key to the court jester huh?” he lets out a sad pitiful laugh and looks up at me, I swear I see his eyes water up. Taking our cups, I head into the living room and slide down beside him. “Yes prom night.” I feel about a foot tall “It was the most horrible thing ever, I mean I really hated it.” He puts his hand on my knee “You can tell me if you want, I may not like it but you can always tell me. You are my best friend and I want to be here for you.” I lay my hand over his. “Trust me Rome you would likely be ready to beat his ass again afterwards, so let’s just not.” we stay like that a while and I think he lest it go. “Ok you don’t have to tell me, I still need to know it wasn’t forced. He didn’t force you did he?” I shake my head no but I never look at him. He stands up and I can see him flexing his fist. “I will be back in a few, going to grab the boys from Mrs. Crazy and bring them here tonight. They can crash in there with Mr. Drunkard tonight. Mando will be here in a few and she is bringing over bowling and her wii” he smiles and walks out the door.
****
“Oh you’re the man! Oh my gosh, that was the best ever.” I can’t believe 2 hours ago I was crying over Toby walking away from me and now I can’t stop laughing. “One more and it’s a turkey dude.” I laugh again. Maybe the Lime-arita’s Mando brought with her are helping. “Rome do it again!” He throws the controlled fake ball and screams when all ten pins don’t crumble down. “Ah Rory, I missed the pocket, but take that I can give you nine. That’s enough right” we all burst out laughing. We have been jumping around like a bunch of crazy folks the whole trailer was moving, which isn’t saying much being as it isn’t tied down. It just sits atop a few concrete blocks. We are all jumping and screaming “It’s my turn Rome, Rory already had her chance.” She squeals and then we hear something hit the front door. We all look at each other and walk to the door. When I open it my heart stops. Lying all over the porch are things I had given Toby over the last year. Notes we passed at school, pictures from dates, mixed tapes (it’s not like I could afford anything to make cd’s) I look up to see him getting in his truck. “Toby wait!” I took off no shoes and half lit. “Please Toby.” he stops and looks at me, he looks over and sees Rome and Mando standing on my porch holding the front door open. “Rory it’s over, I am done I just wanted to bring over your crap. I don’t want anything of you tarnishing my future. It was fun while it lasted but this” he motions between us “this and you, it’s not worth it.” he looks over at Mando “You amaze me Amandolette, you are smarter, richer, and better than all of us. Yet you hang out here in the gutter with people like them.” I don’t get it. I start to tell him to leave before Rome can destroy him again when I hear Mando speak up “It’s all good Tobias West, I know EXACTLY what you are about. You forget I use to be Ashley’s best friend. It’s best you take your high class, honky tonk ass on up out here before I set Rome on your ass again, deuces bitch. And you forget fucktard, my grandmother lives a few lots that way.” She throws up a peace and has this ‘I JUST BEAT YOUR ASS WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING YOU LOOK.’ I stare at her wondering why she never told me she was friends with Ashley. Toby got to his truck closed the door and I just stood there not sure what to say or do. He rolls his window down, looks at me in the eyes “I won’t press charges on lover boy, as long as you keep your distance from me. I don’t see it being a problem since when I pulled up it sounded like you three had some kind of freaky three way thing going on in there.” He pulls off and I just stand frozen again, what the hell just happened? Three way? “We just bowled.” I said to the dusty space his truck once sat.
Chapter Nineteen
I walk out of the bathroom at The Tiner and face plant into a busty, non apron covered chest. “Turn around and go back in. Take this, then open the door and let me in.” I open the brown bag and look inside. My eyes go wide “What is this? I mean, I know what but why?” She turns me around and shoves me back into the door “Because ho, your nasty attitude sucks and you’re always sick. This has to be the reason. Now go!” She pushes again and jerks the door shut. I flush the toilet and open the door. Mando steps in and waits with me. I wash my hands and fidget nonstop. This is the longest three minutes ever. “How much longer?” Mando asks and I check my watch “one minute” I lean back against the door and jump out of my skin when someone pushes it open. “Someone’s in here.” I call out and the door keeps opening. I jump back against Mando and just stare at the door “Yea Mrs.Riaz said you two knuckle heads were in here and I wanted to make sure you were ok, you still been sick and I was worried. You alright?” I think my eyes are about to pop out of my head and I glance down at the stick lying on the counter. “Yea I am, I think.” “Ok I didn’t think Mando was coming, so I stopped to take you home.” Rome says and follows my gaze. His eyes pull tight as he sees it there, why is he picking it up? I bury my face in my hands so embarrassing. “Rome, she peed on that. Eww” he holds it up and doesn’t seem fazed by the statement at all. “Hum that’s interesting. You guys were going to do this alone? Were either of you going to tell me?” the three minutes are up and I just want to know what it says, because right now Rome is the only one who knows if it’s yes or no. It has to be no. It has to be. I would have known, I’ve only had sex once ever. “I would’ve told you Rome, she just showed up here with it.” I pause “I told you about that night didn’t I? It almost killed me to retell that horror show, but I told you after the chaos in the driveway.” That was hard, I told Rome all about Toby being confused and he never believed it, but promised to leave it alone. “Well you wouldn’t be able to hide this very long.” He says turning the test around to display the pregnant on the tiny screen. My heart slammed down so hard, I was surprised it didn’t put a hole in the floor. My legs gave out and I was gone. When I came to they both were right there with me. Just staring at me. “It’s ok, you have us and we will all be fine.” I give a quick one sided smirk to Rome and look at Mando. “You’re leaving to go almost 3000 miles away soon crazy.” She brushes it off. “I will be back Rory, and you have momma and daddy they will be here, and Rome will to. I will come home a lot, I swear. I won’t move off and leave you. I will do what I need to and I will come back for you and” she giggles and starts rubbing my stomach “this little bundle to” rolling my eyes I lay back against Rome on the cold bathroom floor. “Did you guys know that it’s impossible to sneeze with your eyes open?” And we all burst out laughing.
Chapter Twenty
It’s been two weeks since I found out in the bathroom I was going to be a mom and now I set here worried to death, looking around the room it’s nice. Pregnant mothers set some alone, some with the dads or other kids. The room is very homely with lots of pretty pictures on the wall and gold accents everywhere. There are no overhead lights but plenty of lamps that give off a pretty glow, everyone seems so happy. I will find out today when I am due, despite the fact I have already counted it up in my head. “Miss Wilde, Aurora Wilde? We are ready for you to come on back now.” I stand up and grab my bag, I get to the door and turn around “Are you not coming?” he smiles and stands up “Of course I didn’t know how you would feel about it.” He puts his arm around my shoulder and walks the rest of the way down the hallway.
“Aurora this is an ultrasound machine, with this we can figure out a due date, the size, and later own even the sex of the child.” Today we just want to make sure everything’s ok and get a date. I shake my head ok and reach over in search of a hand. “Ok now because you’re so early we are going to have to do this” holding up a long wand looking thing “vaginally, ok.” I already know I am blushing I look up and cover both hand over my eyes. “It’s ok you don’t have to be embarrassed, I give you this blanket and you cover up from the waist down. I won’t see anything.” I let out a breath and take it.
I set up on the table chair thing and I am so glad I wore a skirt. I hike it up higher around my stomach after tucking the blanket in so nothing can be seen. I tug my panties down from underneath and I lay back. I feel like I am on fire, luckily he doesn’t say anything. A few minutes passes and the tech makes her way back. Squirting some clear stuff on the end of the wand and HELLO SUNSHINE! I stiffen up but it only last about two seconds because the next thing I hear is a loud thud thud thud. “Oh goodness is that..” I try to ask but she cuts me off. “Miss Wilde, that there is your baby’s heartbeat. It sounds strong and healthy. Everything measures great and by size I would say you are about 2 months along. So we are looking at a January baby.” She rips off a sheet of black and whites and hands it to me. Here y’all go congratulations. At four months we will be able to check on the gender, what are you guys wanting?” She ask looking over my shoulder. “I will be happy with whatever Princess wants.” I smile “That’s odd, the dad always says he wants a boy.” My smile fades “He isn’t the dad, he is my best friend.” I slide off the table and arrange my skirt back in place before ripping the blanket off. “I may not be the dad but I will be here every step of the way, if she lets me.” I look over to the smile on Rome’s face. I can tell by the dried tears on his face, he would already kill for this baby. Even hating Toby he will love this child. I know that because I know he will consider it family. Just like he does me.
Trailer Park Princess Page 9
