Complex Charm

Chapter 5

The Next Day...

Charm, I miss you. It's been a while, and I wanted to say I'm sorry. Every time I call, I hope you pick up. But I know I don't deserve you, so I'll just say I'm sorry here. I wish I could change what happened between us, but at least let me talk to you. -Quincy

Why doesn't he catch a hint and go away? Charmaine wonders that every time he texts or calls. What happened between them was the last straw, and she was ready to move on. It's amazing how a bad relationship can make someone uproot from a familiar place just to get away. For some people, it's needed for a change of scenery or to get a different perspective on life. But the unfortunate events Charmaine has gone through, she wishes on no one. Quincy's apologies can never take away the pain she felt. They can't take away what happened the night she told him she was carrying his child. She remembers telling him and watching his entire demeanor change.

"Damn," He said. "You told me you were on birth control."

Charmaine tensed up. "Yes, but even that is only a 99.9% chance of getting pregnant. I compromised with you by letting you not use a condom, but here you are looking at me like it's my fault. You know what? it is, for letting you even get this close to me."

He lets out an annoyed sigh. "I told you I didn't want any more kids, Charm."

"You don't get to call me that anymore."

"But that is what I said."

"Well, you shouldn't be so anti-condom." Charmaine shook her head. "I can't believe this. You tell me you love me, but not enough to see me as a mother to your child?"

"You're putting words in my mouth, Charm. I hate when you do that." Quincy retorted.

"And I just told you not to call me that anymore. I'm having this baby, Quincy." She stood firmly, despite the marathon of thoughts she was having.

Quincy smirked, "No you're not."

"Oh, I'm not? What are you going to do about it?" Charmaine hated when anyone told her what she wasn't going to do. Right or wrong, she was standing by her decision.

"I just know you're not having it."

"Is that a threat?" Charmaine stepped to Quincy as if he didn't have her by a foot and 100 pounds. He didn't budge.

"Who's gonna help you? If it's not me, who else? Your parents aren't going to do it, and you're not going to tell them. The holy-rollers find out their little girl is pregnant for a guy they told her to leave alone, they're not going to bring that embarrassment to the church. So if you go for it, you'll be alone. And you're a sophomore in college, barely making it. Why would you put a baby through hardship, Charmaine?"

Charmaine was so pissed. She hated that she let this happen to her. There were so many signs to leave this prick alone. Not to mention, she was on antibiotics to treat a kidney infection at the same time. The doctor told her the medication she was on weakened the effect of her contraceptive, and this was the result. She felt so dumb. She was done.

However, Quincy was right. How can she take care of a child with no help? With her student worker job and a mediocre meal plan, that was all she had to offer. And her parents would go ballistic if they found out. They do have a reputation in their community back home- everyone knows them, and they have just as many haters as friends. Their enemies would sop this up for sure. What was she to do?

Tears welling up, Charmaine tried to shake off the hurt."I'm done with this conversation. I'm done with you. Leave me alone."

"Oh, girl." Quincy laughed. "I'm just saying, think about it. Just go to the clinic and find out how much it would be to get rid of it. I'll give you the money."