A Tribe United Again

Chapter 26

Karen was so happy to be 17. In fact, she hadn't thrown up that morning as if her fetus was wishing her a good day, too.

Her spot on Good Morning America went really well and she even shared the fact that she was now seventeen with the world.

After her, Mari performed. Her bestie was still going through. She and Marcy tried to be there for the redhead but she was horribly depressed. It even came across clearly when she sang.

When their segments wrapped, Marcy took them out to lunch so they could relax. As soon as they had placed their orders, Marcy sat up. "Mar. Do you want to talk?"

Mari sniffled. "You'll listen to me even though you told me not to do it and I didn't listen to you?"

"You're my best friend. I'll always listen to you. No matter how many bad decisions you knowingly make."

Mari sniffled again. "Thanks, guys."

"Do you want to talk about things?" Karen asked.

"I don't know. I keep thinking about it. I just want a family with him. Why is that so wrong?"

Karen held her as she cried.

"I won't say I know too much about right and wrong but what if he'd gotten a vasectomy without talking to you?" Marcy brought up.

Mari gasped. "You don't think he'd do that, do you?"

"That's not what I asked. I said how would you feel?"

Mari's lips trembled. "I'd be hurt."

"Why?"

"Because!" She sputtered. "We have to make those decisions together. It's not just what he wants."

Marcy raised a brow.

"It's not just what I want." Mari whispered in understanding.

Karen rubbed her arm. "He's also got to be thinking you only see him as a baby giver."

"And that you don't love or respect him." Marcy added.

"And you were very cruel to him before you knew you were pregnant."

"And you've done this before so you should have doubly known better."

"Stop!" Mari cried out.

"Like you stopped treating your boyfriend like he was human?"

Mari sobbed.

People were starting to watch.

Marcy and Karen simply rubbed her back.

Mari tried to pull herself together. "I love him! I love him so much!"

"Mar, we know you've loved Bas since the fourth grade but you've got to treat the people you love like you do before you lose them." Marcy stated. "I had to learn that with Mal."

"I never had that problem." Karen shrugged.

Marcy gave her a grumpy look. "Thanks, KayBee."

"Just saying."

Marcy ignored her to look at Mari. "You owe Bas an apology. A damned good one at that. You need to change the way you think when it comes to him."

"You need to let him in." Karen went on. "Tell him what you're thinking and feeling and wanting. You have to let him use his voice. You have to listen to him."

"We're not dumping on you, Mar. We just want Mas to last."

Mari nodded, taking it all in.

ATUA