Tennessee Heat

by Cami York

  “Let’s go baby. Kimmy, Colin, you guys coming?” Chase asked as he got to his feet and helped Annabelle to hers, making a point of excluding the other two from the invite. Lisa was not pleased to say the least.

  29

  Annabelle was only too happy to get back to class the following Monday. All in all she’d had one heck of a holiday break. She was a whole lot more comfortable with the idea of the baby, or she was getting there. But she couldn’t help but worry about what Lisa was up to.

  Chase had finally told her that night as they walked together that he had indeed met Tim once before and how, and had gone so far as to reassure her that he didn’t feel anyway about Tim and wasn’t bothered by him in the least, but she couldn’t let go of her worry.

  Something else that was pushing everything else to the side was this new attitude of Chase’s. She’d talked him out of buying her a car before, but ever since he heard about the baby, he’s put his foot down. She’s meeting him this evening after school to go pick one out, or more aptly pick it up, since he’d already chosen for her.

  She was noticing more and more of late, that the sweet laid back guy she once knew was quickly fading and in his place was a dictatorial tyrant. Since everything he did was for her benefit she couldn’t complain though; but he’s a handful.

  Chase had already told anyone who would listen about his upcoming wedding. He held off on telling them about the baby because he didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea, not that he cared, but he knew she would.

  He already had his mom on the ball getting the wedding plans together and since neither he nor Annabelle wanted a big to-do things were shaping up nicely.

  Now all that’s left for him to do is deal with her mother and see what it is that the woman really wanted and they can move on with their lives.

  He’d seen enough that day to know that the woman was way craftier than her daughter gave her credit for. She might be a drunk but there was nothing wrong with her functionality.

  He thought it might be best to keep an eye on her, but since Annabelle hadn’t shown any interest in seeing her in the weeks following, he’d tabled it for now.

  He was there at the college door fifteen minutes before class ended looking over the specs for the truck he’d already bought her. He’d looked for and found the safest thing on the market and since she had no say in it, he wasn’t worried about her arguing him to death.

  He knew she kept refusing shit because she thought it was too expensive, but now that she was the mother of his child with his ring on her finger, those days were numbered.

  He can’t wait to spoil her the way he’s been dying to, and with Christmas right around the corner he was all but jumping out of his skin. Some people might say he was moving too fast, or doing too much at once, trying to make up for all that she’d missed in life. But he didn’t care one damn.

  He had half a catalog worth of stuff already picked out and still more to come. Her mother had spoiled her Thanksgiving in a whole other way, but they learned about the baby the same day so he figured that evened things out. But there’s no way he’s going to let anything go wrong for Christmas.

  Ms. Scacci hadn’t heard from Annabelle in a while, in fact not since that day she went to that hoity-toity house for that dry ass turkey. She had to admit to being surprised that the girl hadn’t shown up back at her door with her tail tucked between her legs by now.

  She thought for sure that once that snooty family the girl had taken up with got a look at her and knew where her daughter came from, that they would’ve sent her packing. And now with a baby on the way and all, she wondered what they were waiting for.

  It’s almost like they had no class these people, to take up with someone like her daughter. Someone who came from nothing and was bound to end up that way; just like her sperm donor, the bastard. And the boy wasn’t bad looking either, she was sure he could do better ten times over.

  But all was not lost. It’s a good thing she’d gone there sober, or as sober as someone with her addiction can claim to be. She’d learned plenty listening to the conversations around the table and had picked up some useful information.

  Now all she needs to do is wait. Last she heard the girl had got herself a fancy new Mercedes truck, and was sporting a big diamond ring on her finger, showing it off to all and sundry.

  But did she even think about her own mother even once? Does she call to see if I’m even alive, the woman thought in her drunken stupor as she picked up the phone and peered down at the numbers. “I’ll fix her!”

  Annabelle and Chase had settled into a new routine. She was already more than four months along according to her doctor and morning sickness was now a part of her day. Each morning she had a few seconds after she woke up before she had to make a mad dash to the bathroom to throw up.

  Chase was now in the habit of waking up at least ten minutes earlier so he could be there for her. Once the sickness was over it was like it never happened and her hormones would be raging.

  A day didn’t go by that she didn’t leave the house for school with him dripping out of her. She swore she was keeping Always panty liners in business these days.

  She noticed that as much sex as they used to have before, it didn’t compare to how much sex they were having now. It’s like he’d decided that since the cow was already out of the barn there was no point in putting it back in.

  They’d hardly left the house since Thanksgiving weekend, except for work and school, and their weekly visit to his parents of course. But other than that, they spent most of their time wrapped around each other like they were perpetually in heat.

  She hadn’t said a peep when he bought her the over expensive truck because he’d told her before hand that no matter what she said it’s what they were leaving with. And now she was glad that she hadn’t because the thing drove like it had wings.

  Tonight they were having dinner with his parents as was their new habit every Thursday night, and since they were the only kids still in town, Chase hated to miss one of their family nights.

  She gave her mother a passing thought at least once a day, but something kept holding her back from calling the other woman. Each time she picked up the phone she’d remember the words she’d said that day and lose the feeling.

  It’s not that she hated her mother, she was just not in the mood for anything to put a damper on this happiness she was feeling. She wanted to hold on to the feeling for a little while longer. And with Christmas right around the corner, she was more than looking forward to her and Chase’s first together.

  Thanksgiving had been a partial bust, but even that day she was reclaiming because it was the day she learned about the baby, of which she had grown very fond. She’d gone from fear to love in no time flat and just wanted that feeling of euphoria to last.

  It was the first time in her life that she could remember being this happy. And no matter what, she was going to ride this one for as long as she could. After all, thought Annabelle, I’ve spent the last eighteen years without much joy, shouldn’t the joy last just as long?

  That evening at the Worthington’s after dinner, her new mother in law pulled out her planner, her iPad and her Mac-book Pro. Chase had bought Annabelle the same when she started school and it was the first time she’d ever owned any one of them. He’d even upgraded her old Cricket phone for the latest iPhone and she was starting to wonder if the family had stock in Apple.

  “Now, Chase already told me how much you love the gazebo, and even though it’s a winter wedding I still think that would be a beautiful spot to have the wedding. What do you think Annabelle?”

  Annabelle was too busy staring at the magazine cutouts and invitation samples that spilled out of the binder, not to mention what was going on, on the computer screen.

  “It’s so pretty, is that really for me?” She was blubbering like a fool before the last word fell from her lips. Something else she was doing a lot more of lately.

  Chase, whose ears are alway
s pricked for any sounds of distress from his girl came bounding into the room. “Mom, what did you do?” He all but snatched his Belle up from the chair, holding her against his chest while his mother rolled her eyes.

  “Boy, if you don’t….She became overwhelmed when she saw the plans I’ve made so far. She’s happy Chase, not maimed, good grief.” Dr. Worthington was soon standing in the doorway wondering what all the hoopla was about. But with his wife’s annoying new habit of rolling her eyes, he figured the situation wasn’t life threatening.

  The boy does panic at every little thing these days he’d noticed, so he just turned and headed back the way he came. He grinned to himself when he reached his home office where he was busy trying to put the finishing touches on one of his wife’s gifts.

  You’d think no man on this earth had ever expected the birth of a child. Kinda reminded him of himself there though truth be-told. But he didn’t think even he had been this bad. He’d be glad when all this wedding hoopla was over, maybe then he could have his wife back. It’s all she ever talks or thinks about these days.

  Upstairs, Annabelle had composed herself and was once again sitting beside her mother in law going over wedding details. Even though they’d said they wanted to keep it small, she’d imagined just a little something thrown together for the family.

  But what Mrs. Worthington was planning was anything but. “We’ll have the ballroom decorated and made up for the reception, here look at this.”

  She showed Annabelle her ideas, asking her opinion on everything. Annabelle had heard before of brides resenting outside interference when planning their wedding, she couldn’t see why.

  It’s not like Mrs. Worthington was doing things her way. Every little detail she asked either Annabelle or Chase for their opinion. And between morning sickness, school and a fiancé who seems to have a new fascination with her pregnant body, Annabelle was more than grateful for the help.

  By the time they left later that evening, things were mostly set for the December wedding. Since it was the only time everyone would be back in the state and before she was showing, they’d decided on a New Year’s Eve wedding. Chase said it was the best way to start the new year.

  30

  A few days later Annabelle was having one of her rare evenings alone. Chase had some last minute business to take care of and since he didn’t want anything hampering his holiday which was now only a few days away, he’d decided to get it all done now.

  So with a few free hours on her hand, Annabelle decided to do some shopping. She was still a bit uneasy about using the Card Chase had given her with her name on it, but she didn’t think she’d ever get over that, not even after they’re married.

  She thought though, that even if she didn’t buy anything, it would be fun just to window shop. In this part of town things were vastly different from her old shopping mall. Just the carols alone piping through the sound system that played along the whole street was enough to make her day even brighter.

  She had her face almost pressed up to the window of a store with an old fashioned bassinet in it when a shadow fell behind her. Annabelle turned to see Lori, who did not seem very much like her usual snarky self; maybe because Lisa wasn’t there to shore her up.

  Annabelle didn’t bother greeting her, she saw no need to pretend something she didn’t feel. Although Lori was nowhere near as bad as Lisa, and could sometimes be even human when the other one wasn’t around, she was still one of the things Annabelle hated about high school.

  “Hi Annabelle, happy holidays.

  “Lori!” Now that she thought about it, the girl did not look as happy and bright as she had the last time she’d seen her. When was that, the Labor Day picnic? It seemed worlds away now.

  “I have something to tell you but I don’t know how to say it.” Annabelle offered no encouragement since she really didn’t care one way or the other.

  “I wanted to apologize, but I didn’t know how to reach you.” Annabelle was beyond shocked.

  “I know you may think that this is because you’re marrying Kimberly’s brother, but it’s not. I’ve been meaning to tell you this before I found out about that a few days ago.”

  Annabelle was wondering how she could’ve heard but figured since Mrs. Worthington had started ordering stuff and getting things ready for the wedding, it was only a matter of time before word got out.

  “She’s not what she seems.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Lisa, she’s been looking all over for you.”

  “Lisa!” Annabelle was startled. Why would Lisa be looking for her? She hadn’t seen or heard from her since that night of the picnic after Thanksgiving, almost a month now. And it’s not like they were friends.

  “Yes; she says she's going to beat your ass if she ever gets ahold of you. Something about you taking something that belongs to her. I would advise you to be careful. She’s not at all what she seems.” Lori repeated the words again. She got a strange look on her face when she said this as if remembering something.

  “Me?” said Annabelle. Lori looked away, so as not to see the look on Annabelle’s face. She felt partly responsible for encouraging Lisa when they were in high school. She knew now that it was just jealousy on their part.

  Jealousy, because someone like Annabelle, who had nothing going for her had outshone all of them. She didn’t have the money and family connections like the rest of them did, but still she’d outshone everyone else.

  Not only that, but Kimberly, the girl everyone wanted to get close to because out of all of them her family was the top of the food chain, the girl who’d been known to pick and choose her friends, had been in Annabelle’s corner.

  It was only after she’d gone away to college and had gotten out from under Lisa’s influence that she looked back on her past behavior with disgust. Add the fact that she’d met someone who’d opened her eyes a little and well…And now this new development was making her even more nervous.

  She’d suspected for some time that Lisa wasn’t just an angry teen, but might have something else going on. Like that she was either nuts or high off her ass. But this was going too far. Somehow she didn’t think these latest threats were just blowing air out her pie-hole.

  “She’s been going around telling everybody that you destroyed her relationship with Chase.”

  “She didn’t have a relationship with Chase.”

  “I know that, now. But for a while there I actually believed her lies.”

  “As you know, Kimberly and I weren’t as close as you guys are, so I was hardly ever at her house, so it was easy for Lisa to fool the rest of us that they really did have something going on. And since they live so close…” Lori shrugged her shoulders and looked down at the ground.

  Lori had a lot more to say, more to exonerate herself for past behavior than anything else, but Annabelle’s mind was in another place. She never doubted for a second that Lisa was off her nut. But she knew that with the way things were going in the other girl’s life these days, this might be more serious than it had been in the past.

  Mrs. Worthington had told her a little bit about what was happening in Lisa’s family after what happened that night at the picnic. That was another advantage of being accepted as part of the family, she was now privy to things that she never knew before.

  So the fact that Lisa’s family had lost everything and was barely holding on by a thread, and her dad was set to walk into jail after the New Year, she was sure that for someone like Lisa, that wouldn’t be easy to swallow.

  Annabelle didn't say anything, and Lori said her goodbyes and turned and walked away feeling dejected. Annabelle felt a chill run through her. She’d noticed an ugly scowl on Lisa's face that last night, especially when she saw the ring on her finger.

  Something that spoke of more than just mere jealousy on the other girl’s part. Is that what that look on Lori’s face was about, what her words were indicating? Was she trying to imply that Lisa was crazy? Crazy enough to come aft
er her?

  She always knew that Lisa hated her, even before Chase came into the picture. She’d avoided her as much as possible and except for the party that time and again at the picnic they hardly ever crossed paths; but she’d never got the feeling that the other girl meant to do anything physical to her.

  But now she couldn’t help but feel frightened, not for herself, but for her baby. A baby that she wanted more than anything. A cold sweat broke out all over her face. If she ran into Lisa how would she protect the innocent life in her womb? She covered her tummy with her hand protectively.

  Annabelle wondered what would happen if they did run into each other. She knew that like her, Lisa was out of school for the winter break. And now that she was Chase’s fiancée, she no longer shopped in her old neighborhood but in the much ritzier shopping area where Chase had opened accounts for her at all the best stores. A place where Lisa was bound to be.

  She looked around as if expecting to see the other girl appear right before her eyes then scolded herself for being silly. What reason could Lisa possibly have for coming after her now?

  She was already engaged to Chase and was having his baby. Not to mention the fallout from Chase and his entire family if such a thing should ever happen. Surely she wouldn’t want that.

  That night she told Chase, and tried to make a joke of it. “Hey, I ran into Lori today, one of Lisa’s friends from high school. She said that Lisa’s been going around threatening to kick my ass if she ever sees me.”

  “Lisa! Why the hell would she be saying that?” Chase was more interested in playing with her tummy which was only now starting to show a little. It was fast becoming his favorite pastime.

  “She's been telling people that I broke up your relationship with her.” He snorted until he realized that she was being serious.