Wanted For Pleasure

Chapter Fifty-three: meet your parents

"It's perplexing how family members claim their undying love for us. They can say whatever they choose, but their actions and behaviors don't match their words. There is an imbalance in the relationships with distinct discrepancies, especially in who overpowers the scapegoat."

Morgan Ann Bennett

I spent the whole morning in the room, alone and wondering why I was cursed with a child by a man who wasn't even mine. Cursed, blessed, I couldn't decide which, yet.

Callie called me on FaceTime, bringing a smile to my face after a morning of tears.

"—Can you hear me now?" She talked. Her words were choppy and the screen was pixelated but I could see she was there with Jesse and Quinn.

"Kinda, yeah. How are you guys? I miss you so much, Quinn-y."

"I hope she's not the only one!" Callie smacked her lips.

I giggled. "No, of course not. I miss you, and Jess, too. Is he taking care of you?"

"All too well," Jesse spoke up once the screen went clear.

I smiled, happy for them. Happy for her.

"What are you guys going today, hitting the slopes?" Asked my older sister.

I sighed. "No, not today."

"Good! I still have time to learn how to ski before you get good at it." Callie joked.

I laughed with them. "I have to tell you guys something when I get back."

"So do we!" Callie exclaimed.

"Is it a good something?" Asked Jesse, butting in, his face all in the camera.

"It's pretty good," I replied.

"Tell us now!" Quinn screamed, taking over the phone.

I laughed at her, wishing I was there instead.

"No, I can't. Soon, I promise," I revealed, rolling over onto my stomach.

"Okay," Callie drawled. "Soon."

"Speaking of soon, we have to go to the airport," Jesse sang to his two new favorite girls.

"The airport? For what?"

"Secret!" Callie expressed, grinning because she knew something I didn't.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I didn't even look, knowing it was Chris.

"Have to go, see you soon?" Callie remarked before hanging up.

Sadness, FOMO (fear of missing out) washed over me.

I cuddled up to the pillow and let out a sigh.

If I never left Arizona, what would my life be like now? Would I still be working, doing more bikini contests?

I'd be closer to my parents who I don't even talk to but at least I knew where they were: home, safe, sending us money to keep that little shack afloat. It wasn't much but I was content. I mean, I had to break my back for everything, but at least I worked for it. Felt like I was really providing for Quinn and Callie. Now? Now I feel less independent, like I'm depending on everyone else in Penshaw. Malcolm for his money. Chris for happiness. Mary for my overall well-being, you know? It's like, who am I anymore and what am I even doing here?

I was wrong. Money does not buy happiness. Maybe temporarily, but that's just that: temporary.

I have the money, I can just run somewhere else and start over. Yeah, start over!
California? No, I don't want to raise a baby there.
Washington? Too rainy.
Need something warm, that's for sure.