Gertrude sits in her favorite rocking chair near the window. She wears her reading glasses and engrosses herself in a book, savoring the peaceful afternoon.
The sound of footsteps catches Granny Gertrude's attention. She looks up from her book, her eyes widening in concern.
Ava rushes into the room and heads straight for the sink. She clutches her abdomen, her face pale and filled with discomfort.
Granny Gertrude's expression changes from concern to realization. She puts her book aside, her worry growing. She slowly rises from her rocking chair and approaches Ava.
"Oh, dear Ava, are you alright? I saw you running towards the sink. What happened?"
Ava tries to compose herself, wiping her mouth with a trembling hand. She avoids Granny Gertrude's gaze, her face filled with a mix of embarrassment and fear.
"I... I don't know, Granny. I've been feeling sick lately. I can't keep anything down."
Granny Gertrude's eyes widen further, her concern deepening as she puts the pieces together.
Granny Gertrude's living room is filled with tension. Gertrude, her face etched with anger, stands in front of Ava, who looks visibly nervous and on edge.
"Ava, I've had enough! We're going to the hospital right now, and you will get yourself checked out. I won't have you running away from your responsibilities!"
Ava's eyes widen, taken aback by Granny Gertrude's forcefulness. She stammers, trying to find the right words.
"But Granny, I... I'm scared. Can't we talk about this first?"
Gertrude's anger intensifies. She grabs Ava's arm firmly and starts pulling her towards the door.
"No more talking! We're going to the hospital, and you'll get all the tests done. I won't stand by and let you ignore this, Ava!"
Reluctantly, Ava follows Gertrude, her steps hesitant and filled with apprehension. They quickly make their way out of the house and into the car.
---
Ava and Granny Gertrude sit side by side in the busy waiting area of the hospital. Ava fidgets nervously, while Gertrude's anger simmers just beneath the surface.
A nurse calls Ava's name, and they both stand up and make their way to the examination room.
Ava sits on the examination table, her eyes filled with worry. Gertrude paces back and forth, her frustration evident.
The doctor enters the room, a calm and composed presence.
"Good afternoon, Ava. I understand you're here for a check-up?"
Ava nods, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, Doctor. I've been feeling sick lately, and my grandmother insisted I come."
The doctor exchanges a glance with Gertrude, sensing the tension in the room. They proceed with the examination, performing various tests.
After a few tense moments, the doctor looks up, their expression grave.
The doctor sighs, he turns to Gertrude, "Um... Maam, please don't panic especially that your granddaughter is still 14, but she is pregnant"
Ava's face pales, her hands trembling as she absorbs the news. Gertrude gasps, a mix of shock and anger crossing her features.
"How could you, Ava? How could you let this happen?!"
Ava's eyes well up with tears, her voice breaking.
"I'm sorry"
Gertrude's anger gives way to a simmering disappointment. She takes a deep breath, struggling to control her emotions.
And as they reached home...
Gertrude shoved Ava inside. Gertrude was screaming at Ava, calling her all sorts of names and accusing her of being a disgrace to the family.
Ava was too scared to say anything, so she just stood there, trembling.
Gertrude then started to physically hurt Ava, slapping her across the face, hitting her painfully and punching her in the stomach.
Ava was in so much pain that she started to cry and begged Gertrude to stop. But Gertrude kept going, hitting Ava harder and harder until she was bleeding.
"I WILL LET YOUR SISTER KNOW ABOUT THIS!"
Gertrude lunged at Ava, her fists flying. Ava stumbled back, trying to protect her face, but Gertrude was relentless.
She punched and kicked, her rage boiling over. Ava screamed in pain as Gertrude's fists connected with her body.
Gertrude kept going, her fury unchecked. She grabbed Ava by the hair and slammed her head against the wall.
Ava crumpled to the ground, her body shaking with sobs. Gertrude stood over her, her chest heaving with rage.
Gertrude kicked Ava one last time before storming out of the room. Ava lay on the ground, her body bruised and battered.
"WHO GOT YOU PREGNANT?! WHO?!!!!!!!!"
Ava sobs, "C...Cody"
Gertrude slapped her again.
Gertrude had tracked down Cody's address and was now standing outside his house, ready to confront him.
Gertrude pounded on the door and it was soon opened by a woman who she assumed was Cody's mother. Gertrude wasted no time in getting to the point.
"I'm here for Cody," she said, her voice full of anger. "He got my granddaughter pregnant and I want to know what he's going to do about it."
The woman looked taken aback, but she stepped aside and allowed Gertrude to enter.
Gertrude marched into the house and found Cody sitting on the couch. She grabbed him by the arm and yanked him to his feet.
"You got my granddaughter pregnant," she said, her voice full of rage. "What are you going to do about it?"
Cody stammered, trying to come up with an answer, but Gertrude wasn't having any of it. She shoved him towards the door.
"You're coming with me," she said. "We're going to my house and you're going to tell Ava what you're going to do about this."
Cody's mother tried to intervene, but Gertrude was having none of it. She dragged Cody out of the house and shoved him into her car. She drove him to her house, where Ava was waiting.
When they arrived, Gertrude pushed Cody into the living room and told him to sit down.
Ava was sitting on the couch, her face pale and her eyes red from crying.
Gertrude stood in front of Cody and demanded that he tell Ava what he was going to do.
Cody looked down at the floor, unable to meet Ava's gaze.
He mumbled something about taking responsibility and doing the right thing.
Gertrude nodded in approval and then told him to leave.
YOU ARE READING
Unspoken Desires
General FictionCheska, a girl whose heart bore the weight of abandonment, had carried the scars of her past with her throughout her life. The wounds ran deep, originating from the neglect she had endured at the hands of her parents. Their absence had left her with...
