Loveless♣

Chapter 29

The night was not beautiful.It was starless and cold.Ominous,if you will.Like it could sense that something evil was coming and was putting up the proper appearance in anticipation of its arrival.The clouds were still,unmoving.There was no moon.It was a cold and bare night and Bella felt it in her soul.
She sighed.
Patti turned to look at her.They were sitting on Patti's front porch,staring skyward.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine."Bella forced a smile."Are you?How do you feel?I didn't like the way Joshua spoke to you at all, he shouldn't have-"
"No,he should've," Patti interrupted,giving a wry laugh."He's right, you know.I let myself fall for a guy from the hood,let myself get pregnant and then I was dumped.I deserve every word he said."
"Come on,girl,that's bullshit.We've all had our share of bad luck in love.Doesn't mean we deserve to be judged over it.Our past doesn't define our future."
Patti frowned."You sure about that tho',Bella?Because I pretty much screwed my future by getting pregnant.It was the worst thing I thought could've happened to me.But you know what?"
"What?"Bella asked.
Patti smiled."It was also the best thing."
Bella laughed."Really?"
"Yeah,my baby's the best thing that's ever happened to me.I love him more than I've ever loved anything or anyone..it's... I can't explain it."
Bella smirked."A mother's love is unexplainable. Unconditional. "
"You know,when my parents found out I was pregnant they threw me out.Just tossed my things on the street and disowned me.My parents are disciplinarians.My mom is a bit softhearted, she cried a little bit but she was so disappointed in me she refused to acknowledge me as her daughter anymore."
Bella frowned."How could they just abandon you like that?That's inhumane.You're their daughter,their responsibility, no matter what."
"No,I was an investment. One that didn't bring forth any profit for them so they discarded me.My parents see children as investments, Bella.They expect that the amount of time and money spent to raise you and send you to the beat schools should be returned to them with interests in due time."
Bella laughed."No offence,but your parents suck..big time.If they were my parents,I'd have strapped them to their bed one night and driven them in the back of my car to the middle of a barren land.Then I'd leave them there with only a bottle of water to survive on.Let's see how they'd like that."
Patti stared at her incredulously. "You'd actually do that,wouldn't you?"
"Oh,darling,I've done much worse."
Patti paused,then laughed."I like you.You're perfect for my brother."
Bella was taken aback.
"Uhh,what now?"
Patti frowned."Aren't you two together?"
"Aw,hell no," Bella replied immediately."No offence again,but your brother's a pigheaded ass."
Patti laughed aloud and sat on her hands."You're the first girl to call him that.You must annoy him to no end."
"Well,I aim to please."Bella gave a mock bow.
"He does have his fair share of good qualities doesn't he,though?"Patti asked.
Bella shrugged."All I can see is that he loves and will do anything for you and your baby."
"Joshua has a really big heart,Bella.When my parents threw me out,he nearly came to blows with my dad.He called them incompetent and unworthy,and the next thing I knew,he packed a bag,took my hand and we both left New York."
Bella's eyes widened."He moved out with you?"
Patti shook her head.
"Not just that,Bella.He used all of his savings to cater for us both.He was only twenty one,and I was seventeen.When we moved here,he started  working three jobs.I couldn't get a decent job because I was pregnant. He was also taking night classes because he couldn't go to school during the day.He was my hero,my rock...still is.That's why I named my son after him.That's why I forgive him for what he said tonight.Terrence was hardly around this past few years,but Joshua's been there all through."
Bella was in shock.She had never imagined Joshua as a selfless person.She realized that she'd greatly misjudged him,and what Patti said next made her feel even worse.
"I just wish all stepbrothers were like him."

Yep.They're step siblings.Surprising,huh?
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