What If?

Chapter 11

Alice smiled and stood back to admire her handiwork. The trailer now had a woman's touch. The kitchen was spotlessly clean, no more half- eaten burgers and empty cans and the living room was neat and tidy with the giant teddy bear slouching in the corner. In the bedroom, there was a new dressing table and her clothes were hung up in FP's wardrobe. This was now her home.

FP had managed to get an 8 till 6 shift from Monday to Friday at Pops. He wanted to provide for Alice and their little growing family. Alice giggled when she first saw FP in his uniform, the apron and the stupid boat hat. At least he was getting payed to wear it.

He was at work now, due to finish in a couple of hours. Alice was going to meet him and then FP wanted to go to the Wyrm. Alice was extremely nervous. The last time she'd been was when her baby was concieved in a bathroom stall. Then, she was getting dirty looks from Serpents that used to be her friends. She was only allowed in that time because FP bribed the bouncer to let her in. Now, Alice really hoped that the Serpents would be understanding and forgive her mistakes.

Alice couldn't decide between two dresses. One long sleeved, red with a knee length skirt and the other, black, short and skimpy. She stared at them, going from one to the other eventually choosing the black one. She wouldn't be able to fit in it much longer anyway.

There was a knock on the door as Alice was putting on her shoes. She wasn't sure if she should answer it, as people still knew the trailer as FP's, and FP knew a couple of unfriendly faces. But when she looked out of the window, she was surprised to see her mother standing on the steps. Alice hesitated at first, but still went over to the door and opened it. Mrs Smith looked relieved to see her daughter, but still upset.

" That dress is short. You'll be cold."

Alice didn't say anything back.

" Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" She saw Alice's eyes drop to the floor.

" I was scared."

" Scared of your father maybe. But you should never be scared of me. I'd never do anything to harm you. You know that."

Eventually, Alice's gaze drifted to behind her mother. Her car was packed with suitcases and boxes. Mrs Smith knew instantly what Alice was looking at.

" I've left him."

This was news to Alice's ears. Good news, even though her mother looked distressed.

" I couldn't stay with a man that slapped my daughter."

Alice rubbed her arm uncomfortably and noticed her mother holding her wrist at a funny angle.

" Mom, did he hurt you too?"

Mrs Smith paused, hesitant to tell Alice what happened.

" He uh... got a little frustrated when he saw the boxes. He'd had a lot to drink when he came home to me loading all of my belongings into the car. He tried to stop me, grabbed onto my wrist. I managed to pull free before anything awful happened."

Alice ran down the stairs and pulled her mother into a tight hug.

" I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about the baby," she said, tears forming in her eyes.

Mrs Smith forgave her and they stood for a second.

" Are you needing a place to stay? FP and I can sleep on the sofa if you want the bed." Alice asked but her mother shook her head.

" I'm going to stay with Auntie Marge in Greendale for a while and try to sort out divorce papers."

" So you're completely done with him?"

Mrs Smith nodded.

" Good. You deserve so much better than that abusive monster anyway. "

Her mother smiled a little.

" Where are you off to? I can drop you off if you'd like?"

" That'd be amazing actually. I'm meeting FP at Pops after his shift is over and we're going to the Wyrm."

Concern suddenly frowned upon Mrs Smith's face.

" I hope you're not drinking."

Alice let out a small laugh.

" Of course not! I'm pregnant, remember." She rushed inside to grab her bag and a jacket before heading to the car with her mother.