Billy Carter

Chapter 39: Here Comes The Sun

We had bacon and eggs for breakfast, then we packed up all the tents and sat around on the grass in the backyard talking and waiting for our parents to come and pick us up.
"William?"
I looked around to Annabelle. "Yeah?"
"Did you have your medication this morning?" she asked.
"Fuck."
"It's ok, I didn't think you had, so I got them ready for you. I just wanted to check first. Here." Annabelle gave me an uncapped bottle of water and then the cap itself, which she'd used kind of like a tiny dish or cup to hold my medications (for depression, anxiety, panic attacks).
"Ooh," I tipped the pills down my throat and washed them down with the water. "Thanks, Nurse Annie," I said without really thinking.
"You're wel- what did you just call me?" She asked, sounding surprised and frowning at me thoughtfully and curiously.
"Oh, uh, Nurse Annie. You don't like it?"
"Kenny calls me Annie."
"Oh... I won't if you don't want me to..?" I offered.
"No I don't mind, I was just surprised. And I think it's... interesting that it's only you two. Like it's a cousin thing. I know saying this is going to make you a little cross, but you two think very alike. It's interesting."
"Well stop being interested, I don't like it," I told her. I noticed she was kind of absentmindedly holding her belly while she gave me a cheeky smile.
"I'll be as interested as I like, thank you very much," she replied confidently.
I leaned in close to her and whispered; "Are you ready to tell everyone about the baby?"
She swallowed and nodded nervously. "Just let me take the lead," she murmured back. She cleared her throat to draw everyone's attention and grabbed my hand. "Um, Billy and I have something to tell you all," she said shyly. Tony noticed us holding hands and frowned in confusion.
"Wait are you two together again?" Tony asked.
"No!" Annabelle and I exclaimed together. We let go of each other's hands.
"Oh. Ok. I was just wondering how awkward last night would have been if you and Ollie had broken up."
"We're still together," Ollie told Tony. "But they have something important to share."
All eyes turned back to me and Annabelle.
"Well," Annabelle began. "After Billy broke up with Ollie and we started dating, we, um... well we were, um..." Annabelle trailed off and gave me a pleading, "help me!" look.
"We didn't find out until a little while ago," I started, "but during that time when Annabelle and I were dating, I... got her, um, pregnant."
"Wait, you're pregnant?!" Trent exclaimed. Everyone stared with wide eyes at Annabelle.
"Yes," she squeaked.
"Oh my God!" Jenny gasped.
"Wait, so you two are still dating...?" Cynthia turned to Ollie.
"Yeah," Ollie answered.
"We didn't know. Well I didn't know. Annabelle turned up on my doorstep a month ago and told me," I said. "But Ollie and I had already gotten back together."
"How far along are you?" Natalie asked Annabelle.
"I'm thirteen weeks," Annabelle said. She was wearing a loose blouse to hide her bump, but now she flattened it against her stomach to show it off. "It's the size of a lemon," she announced. Everyone stared at her stomach.
"I wondered why you were wearing so many babydoll dresses," Cynthia said. "I figured they must have been coming into fashion again."
"Well, I don't mind the design," Annabelle said. "But I was trying to hide my bump."
"I thought you'd just put on weight." Tony said with a shrug. Annabelle glared at him, but he didn't notice. "So you two shagged then? How'd that go?"
"It's irrelevant," Annabelle snapped before I could think of a retort.
"Exactly. It's none of ya business," I agreed.
"Bad then?" Trent grinned. I rolled my eyes and looked at Annabelle. She shrugged at Trent, and my jaw dropped in outrage.
"What?!" I exclaimed at Annabelle. She flushed and looked away.
"It was fine, it was just a little awkward. I mean it was our first time, so neither of us really knew what we were doing-"
"Ok ok ok, we can discuss that in private!" Trent was laughing his arse off and everyone else was looking at us awkwardly.
"So, that's our news," I said finally. "We're going to have a baby."
"Do you know what it's going to be yet? Is it a boy or a girl?" Jenny asked.
"We won't know until the 20 week scan," Annabelle told her. "So just 7 weeks to go."
"Do you guys want to know what it is? Or do you want to keep it a surprise?"
"We both want to know," I said. Annabelle nodded.
"So is this a big secret we need to keep? Because it won't be long before it becomes kind of obvious," Jenny told Annabelle.
"I know. It's not a secret - like you said, there's not much point. You can tell whoever you want."
"What was your parents' reactions?"
"Well, my parents kicked me out. I've been living with Billy, Nelly and Harry - Mr. Roberts. My parents aren't speaking to me."
"Oh, I'm so sorry Annabelle," Cynthia reached over and squeezed Annabelle's hand. Natalie and Jenny nodded and looked sympathetically at Annabelle.
"What about you Billy? Did Nelly rip you a new one?" Tony asked me.
"Not really. I think she was disappointed, but she's been very supportive," I told Tony. "She's great, actually. Harry too. They're looking at buying a house together - one big enough to fit us all, plus the baby."
"So things are getting pretty serious between Nelly and Mr. Roberts then, aren't they?" Natalie asked me. "If they're investing in property together."
"Yeah, I guess. I mean neither of them could afford a bigger place on their own so they don't really have much of a choice but to join forces."
"Jeez, Mr. Roberts is a hell of a man. First taking in you and Nelly, and now Annabelle and your baby," Cynthia said. "That's pretty big of him."
"Considering he's been a bachelor living by himself for the last sixteen years," I agreed. "Now he suddenly has a girlfriend living with him, plus me, plus Annabelle, plus an infant in six months."
"What's it like living with him? Is it weird or awkward?" Trent asked Annabelle.
"At first, a little. But now it feels very natural. Harry's a really nice, kind guy. It feels like he's an uncle or something now." Annabelle told him. "Actually I've noticed how alike he and Billy are. It's freaky, like they're brothers, or father and son," she said with a giggle, smiling at me. "It's really nice to see how you get along, especially considering your poor relationships with Eddie and Steve. It's like you've finally found a good father-figure."
"That's really nice," Natalie agreed with Annabelle, smiling at me. "You deserve that, Bill."
"Aw shucks," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes and picking at the lawn.
"You do, mate," Tony said, looking at me earnestly. "You deserve a good, strong father-figure like Mr. Roberts. You've always said he's like an uncle anyway."
"A-anyroad," I paused to clear my throat and try fix up my nervous stutter. "My actual father has been badgering me about our band." I was only bringing this up to distract from the whole Harry thing, but Eddie did kind of have a point when he brought this up to me about a week ago: "We need a band name."
"Actually, I think I've come up with a really good one," Trent said.
"Let's hear it then," Cynthia said.
"Billy will probably hate it though," Trent warned.
"Why?" I asked suspiciously.
"Well it's kinda... Not picking on you, exactly, but it's something you do when you're nervous or frustrated that I find highly amusing. It also happens to make a pretty cool band name. Or at least, I think it does."
"What is it?" I asked warily.
"I though we could call ourselves Stutter," Trent said. "Don't you think it sounds cool? And it's got a ring to it, too."
"Actually, I think that's pretty cool too," Tony agreed.
"Same," said Cynthia.
"But I hardly even stutter anymore!" I exclaimed.
"I think it sounds awesome," Ollie said, and Jenny, Natalie and Annabelle all agreed.
"What do you think? Bill?" Tony asked me.
"Well, it is better than everything else we've come up with," I begrudgingly agreed.
"Johnny thinks it's good," Trent piped up. "I text it to him before, he said he liked it a lot."
"Just because Johnny likes it, doesn't mean I will," I pointed out.
"But do you?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"So is it settled then? Do we finally have a band name?" Tony asked. Everybody looked at me, and I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. Stutter it is."
Trent grinned happily then looked at something over my shoulder, by the back door of his house. "Oop. Tony, your mum's here."
"Oh. Hi mum!" Tony twisted around and waved at his mum.
"Hi Mrs. Jameson!" The lot of us said together.
"Hi everyone," Wendy smiled at us all. "Sorry to break up the fun but I need to take Jenny home and Tony to help me in the garden."
"What's to do in the garden?" I asked her.
"We're clearing out some space along the fence and planting some rose bushes," she explained.
"Nice. I'll come and give you a hand, if you like," I offered.
"Oh, thank you Billy, but that's not necessary." She gave me a big smile.
"You sure? I've got nothing else on today."
"I'm sure your mum needs you at home," she said kindly. "But thank you."
"You're welcome," I said, then Principal Connors appeared in the doorway just behind Wendy.
"Excuse me Wendy," he said politely. Wendy stepped to the side to allow Principal Connors through.
"Good morning Simon," Wendy greeted him.
"Good morning," Principal Connors smiled at her, then he looked over at us and Oliver. "Good morning everyone. Are you ready to go, Oliver?"
"Sure," Ollie said. He stood and grabbed the duffel bag he'd brought, then he bent over and we kissed briefly. "I'll see you later," he told me with a smile. "We'll have to catch up again over the holidays," Ollie said to everyone. We all agreed and Ollie went over to his father. With a final wave they left, back through the house to the front.
"Come on Tony, Jenny. You too," Wendy said. Tony and Jenny grabbed their bags and said goodbye, then they followed Principal Connors and Ollie through the house.
In the next half hour Natalie and Cynthia were picked up by their mothers, and then finally it was mine and Annabelle's turn.
Mum and Harry both turned up for us, the latter twirling the car keys around his index finger casually as he chatted with Papa and Mama Keynes as they all poured through the back door.
"Time to go, guys," Mum told me and Annabelle. We stood up with Trent and I slung my bag over my shoulder and grabbed Annabelle's two huge suitcases (at least they were the kind with wheels).
Harry saw me struggle and immediately took the suitcases off me.
"Don't hurt yourself, Junior," Harry told me.
"I got it all under control," I assured him.
"Sure you do. But I can help, so I will."
"Thanks."
"How was the party?" Mum asked us.
"It was great," I said.
"Yeah, it was awesome," Trent agreed. "We had pizza, watched some of my favourite movies. Billy had a bit of a panic attack last night though."
I grimaced as Mum and Harry both looked at me with worry.
"It's fine," I told them seriously. "I forgot it even happened 'til just now. I just had a nightmare, is all."
"Ok honey," Mum pushed my hair back off my face. "As long as you're ok. And how are you, Annabelle? How was your first time camping?"
"It was alright. I definitely prefer my own bed though," she said. "But we had fun."
"Good, I'm glad."
"Come on now, we have washing to hang at home." Harry said. "Thanks for having them Andrew, Sylvia."
"Oh it was a pleasure," Mama Keynes said. "We'll have them anytime."
"They were very respectful," Papa Keynes added. "Not that we had much to do with them all. Mostly they look after themselves, at that age. No problems though."
"Good," Mum said. "Well it was nice seeing you both again. We'll have to catch up for coffee or something. It's been too long."
"Yes, that sounds great," Mama Keynes agreed.
The parents all headed back into the house and me, Annabelle and Trent followed behind.
When we were all packed into the car and Harry pulled out onto the road Mum turned around in her seat and looked at me and Annabelle with concern creasing her forehead.
"Did you announce your pregnancy?" She asked.
"Yes," Annabelle said. "And it went really well."
Mum exhaled and her worry dissipated. "Good. I was worried for you two, but I expected it would all be ok."
"Yeah. Just lots of questions and surprise," I said. "But everyone's supportive."
"Good." Mum turned back around to sit properly in her seat.
"I knew it would be fine," Harry said confidently. "You've got a good group of friends."
"Oh! And they finally decided on a band name!" Annabelle said excitedly.
"Oh yeah?" Mum and Harry both said. "What is it?"
I rolled my eyes and sighed. I wasn't completely happy with the name, but it was better than nothing.
"You don't like it, Bill?" Harry asked, looking at me via the rear-view mirror.
"Well, it's just kind of... I don't know. Trent came up with it. It's 'Stutter', because I stutter sometimes."
"Oh. He doesn't mean it in a mean way though, does he?" Mum asked.
"No, I don't think so."
"Billy's just a little self-conscious, I think," Annabelle told Mum and Harry.
"That's ok. I'm sure if you told them they'd change it," Harry told me.
"Nah, it's ok. And I hardly stutter anymore anyroad. Only when I'm really nervous or something," I replied.
"Yeah. Besides, It's nothing to be embarrassed about," Mum reassured me. "And I think it makes a cool band name."
"Yeah. Yeah. It's alright," I agreed.
"So, was it fun catching up with everybody?" Mum asked. "Gosh, I haven't seen Andrew and Sylvia for ages!"
"It was a lot of fun," I told Mum.
"It was," Annabelle agreed.
"Good. But tell me what happened with your nightmare, Billy?" Mum asked me.
"Oh, I just had a nightmare about Dad. I don't really remember it anymore. I just woke up and had an anxiety attack. Everyone else woke up too so it became kind of a drama. But I went and sat down the street with Annabelle, and we talked a bit and then I felt better so we went back to our tents and slept. But, um, everyone knows that Dad, uh, abused me, um, sexually..." I got quieter as I spoke and the last word barely came out as a whisper, but Mum and Harry knew what I meant.
"How do you feel about that?" Mum asked gently.
"Embarrassed, mostly. Ashamed. Anxious. Just generally unpleasant things."
"I'm sure they're opinions of you haven't changed, Billy," Mum said.
"It's true," agreed Annabelle. "They all still love you just as much."
"Thanks. I guess it kind of feels like a weight has been taken off me. I don't have to stress about keeping it a secret," I said. "But it was really embarrassing. I didn't know what to do. But Annabelle and Ollie helped me out. And I guess it's ok."
"I'm really proud of you, Billy," Harry said. He'd been quiet for most of the discussion, but I caught his gaze in the rear-view mirror again and his eyes met mine with sincerity.
"So am I," added Mum. Annabelle mouthed "and me too" at me. I gave her a little smile in return.