Just breathe

Just breathe Chapter 8

Chapter 8 ~ Jeremy

I'm such a dick.

I should have known better then to do that. I can’t believe I got a girl pregnant; not just any girl, Jakes girl.

Now I have him mad at me more then ever. We never got into fights, we always understood each other.

Sarah called me the other night to tell me she was pregnant.

“Are you sure?” I asked her. I knew she was crying I could hear her weeping in the background.

“I’m sure, I have taken 2 tests so far and they have said the same thing.” She paused, her voice began shaking. “What are we going to do?”

For the first time, I didn’t have a response. I couldn’t promise her everything would be alright; I couldn’t promise her things would work out, because I would be lying. “I don’t know.” I said in a whisper. “What ever you do Sarah, don’t runaway from this problem, I am here, I will be there with you always.”

“Ok.” She said quietly. For those next minutes we didn’t say anything. But I knew she was there, and she knew I was there too, and that’s all we needed.

I pulled up into the driveway; Jake got out of the car and slammed the door before I could even turn off the engine. Just breathe, I can get through this. Mom was waiting outside, she wasn't our real mom but I always thought she was. Our parents died when we were seven. We were waiting at grandma's house for them to pick us up like any other day but that day was different , all I remember is grandma crying and the police showing up saying ; " Son , your mom and dad passed away today in a car accident on Harvey road. I‘m sorry."

The only way for us to survive was to get into foster care because grandma wasn't working; grandpa has always been out of the picture. We visit our true blood family once and a while but mostly only on special occasions.

I got out of the car and tried to open the front door, but Janice, my foster mom, stopped me. "Were have you been?" She asked. Once I turned around she expression changed. "What happened to your face?" She studied my face; she came right up those few steps and examined what Jake has done.

"It’s nothing.” I replied, I opened the door this time, I went in the kitchen and searched for some Advil, I could hear Janice’s footsteps follow me.

Jake went into the living room, He was concentrating on the television, and Janice wouldn’t stop looking at my face.

“I know you Jeremy, that-” She pointed to my face. “-is nothing.”

I sighed and grabbed the bottle of Advil; I dropped two tablets in my palm and threw them in my mouth to swallow. Janice went into the bathroom, I could hear the water running, and she came back with a wet face cloth. She tried to be gentle with the face cloth but I winced as soon as it touched my face.

"Who did this?” she whispered so Jake couldn't hear.

"Well, um…” I took a pause. "It‘s complicated."

Janice’s face twisted, “You better tell me right now Jeremy or so help me.” She began. I took a deep breath.

“Jake did it.” I murmured.

“Jake? But that's impossible are you sure? " She asked.

"I’m pretty sure I would remember who hit my face." I replied and stepped away from Janice and looked in the fridge.

“Jake!” Mom yelled, Jake stood up instantly from the couch and walked over to her.

"What's up?" he replied like as if nothing happened.

"Why on earth would you do this to your brother?" She asked confused.

"Ask Jeremy-" Jake started, the noise of the phone ringing was the last thing any of us wanted to hear. Janice took a deep breath and went over to the phone.

"Hello?" Mom answered. "Oh! That's great! I'm glad you found her.” She stopped talking and started to listen, her face got tight with every word this person was saying. “Don't worry Dan I’ll take care of it, yes I’m sure I’ll get the story .Ok bye see you soon.” She was now furious. Her face got red; she wanted answers now.

"Before you ask, Jake shouldn't get blamed for this it was my fault.” I started.

She took her hand and began to rub her temple. “I don‘t know what Jake did or you Jeremy, but something bad has happened." She tried to keep her voice at level. “Can someone tell me what’s going on, before I hear it from someone else?”

I went over to the breakfast table and pulled out the wooden chair and sat down, I placed my head in my hands, “I messed up.” I told her.

“I got that part Jeremy.” Janice growled. After a few seconds of debating, Janice took the other chair and sat down across from me. Once I looked up and locked a glance with her, I told her everything. I would take quick glance’s over at Jake, his jaw would tighten, his fist would get tighter and tighter.

“I’m speechless. Jeremy how could you do such a thing? I-” Janice stopped, she stood up. “I need to take a walk.” Once she stood up the door bell rang. We all looked at each other; mom wished no one had come because she was too overwhelmed with all this information.

"Can you answer that, please?" Janice asked in an annoyed voice.

I didn’t know if she was talking to me or Jake, so I stood up without another word, and went to the door.

I opened the door to see all four members of the Smith family standing at my door.

“Hello.” I said I didn’t know if I should be polite, quiet, so my voice came out awkward. No one acknowledged my hello, who I took to be their father had the urge to hit me, I could tell the way his hand curled up into a tight fist of fury. Janice’s footsteps came up behind me.

“Dan, Hi.” She said and pushed me lightly out of the way; I stepped back but watched from the back of Janice.

“Janice, I have no idea what’s going on, I don’t know if my daughters are telling me the truth, but-” Dan exhaled. "I want answers and I want them now."