Insecure

Chapter 18

*Meanwhile with Russell's.**

"She told you the results, now why won't you tell me?" Mr. Russell asked, cornering his sister.
"Look. That is not my business to tell. You seriously need to stop stalking this girl. I know you and your wife got divorced, but..."
"Don't mention her!" He spat. He took a deep breath and sighed. "Can you just tell me if the test was positive? That's all I want," he said, softer.
His sister surrendered and said, "Yes. It was positive."
Russell rubbed his forehead and sighed. "I'm going there tonight," he said, walking to the door, grabbing his coat. He heard his sister run up behind him.
"When are you going to leave her alone?"
"When she learns that boy is no good." He left so quick, he couldn't hear another word from his older sister. She sighed and grabbed her keys after she saw him leave. She sped out of her driveway towards Laura's house. I am not going to let him destroy her future.

~~~~~~~~~

Laura was sitting in her bed waiting for Jayce to come in her room after talking with her father. Thank god he doesn't know yet about the pregnancy because he would totally flip, which would bring up the whole 'sex talk' he should've given her at 12 years old. She shook her head which later shot up when she saw Jayce walk in.
"Hey," he said, smiling and sitting down next to her.
"Hey," she replied, sadness in her voice.
Jayce's face turned serious and looked at her. "Are you okay?"
She shook her head and rubbed her forehead. "Afraid not. Something happened when the nurse took me to that last test..."
"What happened? No one hurt you, right?"
"I'm going to be more hurt depending on your reaction to this."
"What are....?" He didn't have time to finish. Nurse Russell stormed in the room and gasped.
"I'm so sorry, Laura. I didn't mean to interrupt, but I need to warn you about Mr. Russell."
Jayce jumped up and walked up to her. "Why are you warning us about him?"
Laura came up behind him and rubbed his arm. "I'm sorry Nurse, this is my protective boyfriend, Jayce. Anyways, what's wrong?"
"You can't stay here. You have to spend the night at someone else's house where he won't find you. He found out about the baby. He's extremely angry and determined to get rid of that and him," she said, pointing to Jayce.
Both their eyes widened and Jayce looked at Laura. "Baby? What baby?"
She bit her lip and looked at the Nurse. "Oh, you didn't tell him?"
Laura shook her head and said, "Will you excuse us?"
"Of course. Just think about my warning." And with that she was gone, leaving Laura and Jayce with a couple minutes of silence.
"You're pregnant," Jayce said, looking away from her.
"Yes I am. Jayce, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I took my pill that morning, I don't know how this happened."
"Don't be sorry," he said, walking out her room, down the stairs.
Laura ran after him with tears in her eyes. "Jayce, where are you going?"
"I'm going home to think."
She grabbed his arm which made him turn to look at her. Tears were in his eyes as well. "Jayce, are you mad I got pregnant?"
"No. I just wish you would've told me."
"I was going to! It's not my fault that the Nurse burst in! Please don't do this. Russell is coming after me tonight to hurt me and..." she looked away, taking a deep breath. "Our baby."
"Go to Lilly's."
"I can't!" She yelled at Jayce without any control.
"And why not!" He yelled back.
She looked away, trying to catch her breath. "Carlos and Lilly are celebrating being parents. Lilly's pregnant, too. Both our pregnancies happened on accident, but Carlos wasn't upset because he loves Lilly..."
"Are you saying I don't love you?"
"What? No! I was just saying.... Nevermind, you can go. I didn't think you would stay with me after this. My biggest fear was right," Laura looked at him, tears flowing down her red cheeks. "You don't want to be the father of my baby." She completely broke down, falling over the couch, crying harder. She was shaking by this point, until she felt strong arms pull her to them.
She opened her eyes, and saw Jayce crying, too. He kissed her forehead and whispered, "I do want you. I love you. I want this baby, but there's still one thing that scares me."
"Jayce, I'm scared, too..."
"No, not just general fear."
"Then, what?"
"I'll follow in my father's steps and abandon my family."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the summer of 2000, the summer Jayce's father left and Jayce's worst summer. Jayce was playing baseball with his best friends at the time on a warm summer afternoon, but then everything stopped when his father stormed out of the house. They all stopped and looked at him. His hair was a mess, his shirt was torn half opened, and he had a suitcase in his hand. Jayce called after his dad.
"Dad! Where are you going?"
He heard his father sigh and kneel in front of him. "Son, your father has to leave for awhile. You're going to be staying with your mother until I can get my head screwed on right. You might not understand now. You might never understand, but I want you to know that I had to leave so I won't do anymore damage. I love you son. Be good to your mother." He kissed Jayce's head and ran to the car.
"Dad! Don't go!" It was too late. His dad was gone, and that was the last he saw or heard from him.
Jayce turned to his friends, who were already packing up their things. They patted his shoulder and said, "This must be really tough, so we'll give you some time to think. We'll be around." They left, later making Jayce realize that was the second lie he was told that day.
His father abandoned him, and he never returned. He never called or spoke to him again. It's like he dropped off the Earth. He left him without a thought or decision. He was heartbroken, but there was nothing he could do about it. He walked into his house that was now empty. He walked past his mother's room, his mother so beautiful, sweet and who would do anything for anyone. Why did she deserve this? She didn't deserve this. The door was open a crack. His mom was sitting on the edge of her bed, talking to herself and running her fingers through her hair. It looks like it hasn't been washed in weeks; she looked depressed, let down and not good enough.
Jayce opened the door which made her jump. "Jayce! Knock!"
"I'm sorry, Mom," he said, looking down at the floor.
"Honey?" she sat on her knees in front of him. "What's wrong?" She lifted his chin to look at him. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Mom," he faked a smile.
"Come here," she said in a soft voice, pulling her son against her in a tight hug. Jayce let the tears fall down, sniffling. "Sh. It's going to be okay, baby." She kept comforting him.
"I'm sorry, Mom. Maybe if I would've behaved better, he would still be here for us."
She pulled away with tears in her eyes. "Honey, listen to me." She sighed and looked at his young, sweet, misunderstood face. "None! None of this is your fault, okay?"
"But..."
"No buts. He left because he was stressed with me, okay? Nothing to do with you. We just need space so we can get out lives together. Everything will be okay."
He just nodded. Wiping his tears, she said, "We'll be fine. We'll be strong, right?"
He nodded again. "I'll be strong for you, Mom."
She hugged him again. "There you go. I'm glad I did something right."
"You did everything right, Mom. You're amazing."
"Thank you baby. Lets go and throw that ball around some more, what do you say?"
"Mom, can you actually catch?"
She stood up, pretending to be offended. "Of course."
He shrugged. "Well, okay."
She ruffled up his hair and met him outside where it was an empty driveway. There wouldn't be 2 cars present anymore. It was just her. She wouldn't be coming home to a good night kiss or a hug. She didn't feel the pain she felt since she gave up....
"Mom!" She turned her head to her son.
"Yes hun?"
"Ready?"
She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."
He smiled and threw her the ball.