Scars

The Surprise She Was Left With

Sam had acted like nothing had changed except for the fact that he had more knowledge about me than before. The ride home wasn’t as awkward as I predicted and when we pulled into my driveway, he insisted on coming inside. “You sure? Ren’s probably already asleep.”

“Yeah.” He said with a small smile. I just shrugged my shoulders and got out of the car. Sam followed and stood on my heels as I quietly entered the house.

As soon as the door shut behind me, I heard little feet padding on the floor and rounding the corner to where Sam and I stood. So I guess she wasn’t asleep. I guess that’s what I got when leaving her with mom and Sydney. Ren stopped abruptly when she saw Sam, eyeing him suspiciously. But when I held my arms out to her, she continued on the path she was set on with giggles bursting from her lips. I picked her up in my arms and swung her around a little. I had to admit that even though I was gone for only two hours, I missed her. Sam smiled at Ren beside me and Ren gave him a small wave.

Sam waved in return, laughing through his nose. “Hey, Ren.” He said to her quietly.

“What?” she said with curiosity in her high pitch.

“Maybe you’ll let me take your mommy out for a second date?” He said with a grin. I blushed scarlet and my heart skipped a slight beat when he called me Ren’s mother. It was nice to hear it from an actual human being’s lips.

Ren wrinkled her nose in disapproval. Sam pressed on further. “Well maybe while we go out, you and Sam can have a playdate. How does that sound?” Ren squealed with sheer delight and squirmed in my arms, making me laugh. Sam looked at me as if waiting for an answer.

I felt the butterflies swarm around in my stomach again. He wanted a second date. That meant we were practically almost a thing. A thing. It was odd to think that anyone would be okay with dating a teen mom, but here Sam stood, alive, warm, and breathing. Act cool. “I do… I mean… uh… yes… yes a second date… I do want to go on a second date with you.” Smooth.

“Great. I’ll text you later then.” He said before he turned and left, smiling like a fool.

***

Ren held my hand as I took her through the mall. I was so happy today that I barely even noticed the stares from elderly couples and other people my age. Sam and I were going to have our second date tomorrow night and the butterflies were as active as ever.

But of course I was going to go out and spend money on decent looking clothes. I already had two large shopping bags on my arm and Ren had a smaller one in her fingers. She practically begged for the pack of bows near the door of some children’s store. After sitting on the floor in protest and screaming at the top of her lungs, I bought it for her, and her tears quickly turned to giggles and rosy cheeks.

I was in such a good mood that it seemed to reflect on Ren. I had dressed her in a yellow dress and her tiara had returned to her untamable hair.

When we came to the fountain in the middle of the mall, a juice place called ‘mix a lot’ sitting across from us, Ren squealed. “Look. Look.” She shrieked at the top of her lungs. It had definitely caused her attention from everyone around us. There was a smile spreading to her ears as she ran up and stared at the drizzling water. I followed slower behind, a smile identical to hers.

But my attention was caught over at the juice place by a boy gaping at me. He had dark black hair that fell slightly over brilliant green eyes. He was behind the counter, a cup of juice in his hand. Next thing I knew, he quickly put down the cup, hopped the counter, and flew over in my direction.

He was big, almost all muscle. Surprise was wide on his sculpted face as he came closer. “Brin.” He called when he was only a few yards away. What was that voice? I knew that voice. Nick.

Panic filled me to the brim and I stumbled backwards over my feet. He saw my fear and stopped abruptly in his tracks. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move. Everything around me faded and my head spun.

“Brin, I never thought I would see you again. I—I…” He trailed off with the slightest of a smile, still surprised beyond words. He tried to step forward, but I stepped back even farther. Ren. Where was Ren? I turned quickly in panic.

Ren was toddling over curiously. When she saw my panicked expression, she ran. “Mommy.” She said as I picked her up in my arms.

I turned back to Nick. His face went blank and he turned pale. “Mo—What?” Nick said, awestricken. That was when his eyes glazed over and his expression softened. “Who…” he stammered, “Is s—she… mine?”

I couldn’t believe him. Anger spilled out of me. “Is she yours?” I hissed, “No. Are you her father? Yes.” I secretly hoped my words had hurt him.

Ren hid in my hair, clinging tightly to my neck.

“Brin… Brin I…” Nick looked pained, but I felt absolutely no sympathy for him. “Brin this isn’t how I imagined seeing you again. But, Brin, you have to understand that—that I am so sorry. I—I…” He stepped closer again, but again, I took a large step back.

“Nick,” I started. It felt weird to say his name for the first time in about four years. “I need to go.”

Nick just stood there. I could see tears forming in his green eyes. My heart broke a little to see him this way, but then I remembered what he had done to me, and that was what helped me to walk away. I didn’t turn around as I hurriedly carried Ren towards the nearest mall exit.