In The Long Run

In The Long Run (18)

I was sitting on the sofa reading a book. It was a Saturday and also the day of Liz's "big surprise" for me. She and Curly thought it was such a big surprise, but it really wasn't hard to figure out it was a baby shower, especially when they plan it in front of you.  Any second now Wayne will show up and "take me out", but he already knows I know what's going on. I'd rather just stay home and read my book instead of playing stupid games and opening presents I won't even know how to use yet. I guess it won't be that bad. After all, I'd be getting a lot of necessities for free. My mom had gone shopping with me a few times, but we didn't even come close to getting everything I needed. It was also another eye opener to what big mess we were in. Diapers are expensive and baby's go through those things like I go through ice cream. Everything was pretty much very expensive and Wayne and I don't even have jobs yet. I sighed and put down my book. We still don't have anything figured out yet. There's still a year of school left and then there's college and trying to get a scholarship. It was all too much. How the hell am I supposed to make sure I finish high school and get into a college while taking care of a baby? What if I'm not good at it? What if my child grows up resenting me because I couldn't be a good mother? What if it likes Wayne more than it likes me? I laughed at the last one. I heard the front door open and close. With a heavy sigh I got up from the couch and straightened my clothes.

"Ready to go?" Wayne asked as he stepped into the living room.

"Do I really have to go?" I asked in a whiny voice. This wasn't something to look forward to and I'd really rather stay home.

"Liz will kill me if I don't get you there in the next half hour."

Half hour, huh? "It's at Curly's house right?"

"I'm not supposed to tell you that."

"Well I know it is, you just have to confirm it for me."

"Fine, it's at Curly's house, but don't tell them I told you and remember to act surprised when we get there."

"Fine, I'll punch someone when we get there."

"You can't do that. They're surprising you, not scaring you."

"My surprised expression won't be realistic unless I punch someone."

He laughed and came over to grab my hand. He started pulling me towards the door, but I yanked his arm around and planted a kiss on his lips. At first he was kind of shocked, but he quickly started to kiss me back. I pulled away, making him groan in frustration.

"I'll kiss you again if you get me out of this baby shower." I said, smiling deviously.

"That's not fair." he said, whining like a little girl.

"Well, if you're not going to help me, then there are no more kisses for you."

I walked past him and grabbed my keys off the table by the door as well as my bag. He trudged along behind me and I closed the door when we were both out. I turned around and saw my mom's car was still in the drive. Wayne walked up to the passenger side and opened the door. I stood staring at him for a moment.

"Well, are you going to get in or not?" he asked.

"I thought you didn't have a license."

"I have a license, I just don't have a car."

"You never told me you had a license."

"That conversation never came up."

I shrugged then walked over and got in. It wasn't that easy though. I had to move the seat back, because I was practically squished up against the dashboard. Wayne climbed in a few seconds later and started the car. I turned on the radio and let the random station that was on keep playing. It wouldn't matter if I changed it anyway. Curly's house is only a couple of blocks away. I laid my head back against the seat, closed my eyes and almost immediately my mind started filling up with questions. With this baby shower we'll probably only have enough stock to take care of the baby for a month and what then? Wayne already has a job, but he barely earns enough to pay his gym membership every month. I'll probably have to get a job myself and if I do, I won't have enough time for all my other after school activities. I'll have to leave the photography club and maybe even the choir and track team... No! I can't leave track!