Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 40403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Mila
May-Month Six
“His one would be perfect with your dress, Mila.” I turn to see Mari holding up a pair of gold heels that I would kill for if I was still living at home, but I am officially moved out and no longer using my fathers credit card.
“How much are they?” I ask looking for their price tag. I find it under the show and shake my head when the one hundred dollar tag rears its ugly head. It amazes me how long ago a month seems. It was but thirty days ago when I was living like I had no care in the world and now here I am worried about each cent.
Right after Jake proposed, a fire was lit under him. He immediately called Royce and asked him if he had another room we could rent from him for the next month and a half until graduation. On Mari’s insistence he said yes. That same day I walked into my parents house, informed my father I was pregnant and getting married and we moved my clothes out of there. That was all I wanted to take.
Once I was moved out, Jake did the same and quit his job. Now, he spends his days working at an auto parts store and spoiling the hell out of me. About a week after I moved out my father was arrested for racketeering and money laundering. Jake’s father was arrested a week after that for embezzlement charges and even though he has not said and I have not asked, I know i twas him.
Now it is the day of prom and although we got our dresses a few weeks ago, with all of the chaos we didn’t get shoes so here we are fresh from the salon getting last minute prom shoes. “Oh my god, Mari is that you?”
I didn't immediately recognize the voice but by the stiffness of her body, I know Mari does. Turing I am shocked to see CiCi Nixon standing there. Mari lifts her head and attempts to smile. “Hi CiCi.” She hasn’t moved since she heard the voice but I am more worried about her posture. She looks like she is going to flee and it puts me on alert.
“Have you been to see, James?” Mari shakes her head no.
“So he doesn’t know about that?” She points at Mari’s stomach and that is when it clicks.
“No. I didn’t tell him.” She whispers, close to tears.
“Well I am going to. I think he has a right to know he is going to be a daddy when he gets out in a few months.”
Panic suffocates me, not because the panic is mine but because I am close enough to Mari to share it with her. “CiCi, right?” She crosses her arms and gives me the stink eye. “The baby is not your brother and even if it was, who would be dumb enough to claim it? So why don't you run along.” Huffing, she stomps away and when she is out of sight, we both begin to laugh. Calming myself, I look toward Mari. “Why didn’t you say something? I mean your baby's sperm donor is Jeremy Nixon?”
“Yeah. I was desperate for affection and love.” She shrugs and the worried look in her eye lets me know this trip is done.
“Come one. Let’s go tell these guys what happened and I don't know about you, but I would love to skip this dance, put on yoga pants and have a movie marathon.” I tell her, nudging her shoulder.
“Oh my god you have no idea how much i love that idea. Do you think they will let us since they have been all gung-ho about making sure we don’t miss the experience?”
“I think if we cry we can get whatever we want.” We both giggle knowing it is true.
Finally we walk in the door and notice it is quiet and there are bags by the door. “Do you know what is going on?” she whispers and asks me.
“Not even a little bit.” The door lock clicks behind us and we turn to see them coming in with more bags.
“Shit. You both were not supposed to be back yet. Where are your bags?” Jake looks concerned.
“We had a run in with the sister of Mari’s ex and we just wanted to come right home.” Royce goes immediately to Mari and starts checking her over peppering her with a million questions. Meanwhile, Jake lifts my chin and I know he is pissed.
“Why did you call me, Mila? I would have come to get you both.”
“Same here.” Royce says chiming in.
“We know. We just wanted to drive out of there and get home to you two.” I let a tear fall knowing they will both drop the attitude and like a charm it works.