Times, Trials And Temptations 5x6t2a

Times, Trials And Temptations

s S. Ipock

Copyright © 2012 by s S. Ipock.

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-4797-4296-7 Ebook 978-1-4797-4297-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, : Xlibris Corporation 1-888-795-4274 www.Xlibris.com [email protected]

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 1

This beautiful day, looking out my window and seeing the gray sky and bare trees, I couldn’t help but think back about one day when I hurt my foot and my mom took me to the doctor to see if I had cracked it or just sprung it. Of course, I had to call my best friend, Judy Watson, and let her know what was going on so she wouldn’t be upset that I didn’t let her know. So we took a seat while waiting for the nurse to call us back after ing at the front desk. I had butterflies in my stomach while sitting, not knowing what they were going to do to me. Doctors are not my favorite persons. They finally called me back to x-ray my foot and then took me back to a room to wait for the doctor to read my x-rays then tell me the results. It was about four in the afternoon, and my stomach was starting to growl. I thought, Why is it acting up now of all times? Probably some of it was nervousness. Anyway, to make a long story short, the doctor finally came in and said I had cracked the top of my instep and it was giving me a fit. The doctor sent me over to the hospital for them to put a special kind of brace on my foot to hold it in place, and he didn’t have it in his office. The nurse put me in a wheelchair and pushed me out to the car so we could go over to the hospital. After we got over to the hospital outpatients area, Mom had to go in to get me a wheelchair. We went in and told the desk lady why we were there and gave them the papers the doctor gave me. While we waited, a couple of young guys came in; one had a splint on his left arm, and the other guy ed him at the front desk. He came over, and they sat across us. As we sat, I couldn’t help noticing the one that wasn’t hurt because he had such pretty blue eyes and wavy almost black hair. I couldn’t keep my eyes off him, and I knew he had to notice how I kept looking at him. I kept looking away so he wouldn’t see how I kept staring at him. I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I asked him what happened to his friend’s arm. He looked deep into my eyes and said he fell out of a tree at work, and they thought his arm was broken. Then he began asking me about why I was here, so I had to tell him about myself. Oh my gosh, his eyes were so hypnotizing that I could not stop looking at him. His body was oh so fine to look at. I was hoping they would not call me anytime soon. I asked him if he lived here in town or in the country. He said in town, just a few blocks away. I told him I lived across town in the

country. He then asked what my name was, and I was so excited over that. So I told him, “Abby Franks.” I had to find out what his was, so I said, “What is your name?” He said, “Bobby Fairfield and this is my buddy, Jimmy Worley.” I could tell Mom was not happy with me at all, so I looked away for a few minutes, then they called me back. I got my brace put on, and when we got out, they were gone. I was so upset over not seeing him one more time. Nevertheless, I went home to be bedridden for the next two and a half months. It didn’t stop me from thinking about Bobby Fairfield. I had learned he worked on the roads, cutting down trees for the light company.

Chapter 2

Finally came the time for me to go get off this brace, so I had to go back to the doctor’s office to get another x-ray and see if it had been on long enough for it to be healed. When I started to get out of the car, I saw a lady and a man go across the street, holding hands and laughing, and I was so in shock when I noticed it was Bobby Fairfield and some girl. I just knew it was his girlfriend. My heart dropped. I was so infatuated with him even though we only met once and talked for a brief time. Mom told me to hurry up and get on the wheelchair, or we would be late. She saw him too, and I knew she didn’t want me to talk to him. The rest of the day was so sad until I didn’t care for anything. The doctor said my foot had healed nicely, so I got out of that ugly brace. Three months later, I was having my sixteenth birthday party, so I went to town with my brother, Eric, and Judy, my best friend. We bought hotdogs and drinks and cake and things to make it look like a party. While I was in the store, I saw Bobby Fairfield and his buddy getting some cigarettes. I made it over to where he was, and I asked him if he ed me. He looked at me and said, “Yes, I do. Where was it I saw you at?” I told him, “The hospital.” And he said, “Oh, I know. It was when Jimmy broke his arm. Wasn’t your name Abby?” I was so excited. I told him yes. I told him I saw him the other day with his girlfriend, and he said, “Oh yeah.” His buddy spoke up and said, “She is a jealous thing too.” I said, “Well, I was going to invite you to my birthday party, but I guess you wouldn’t be interested.” He said, “I might be. Where is it going to be?” I told him, “At my home, in the backyard.”

He asked his buddy if he wanted to go. His buddy said, “Why not?” So we all got our stuff we needed and left to go home. Boy! I didn’t know my dad was going to get upset like he did. He was in the bedroom, looking out the window at us, and we were all having a good time. Bobby came over by me and put his arm around my shoulder, talking to me, and I was so into him, I couldn’t see anything else. Afterward, we all got in the car and rode around town, just laughing and cutting up and acting silly. And then we all went down by the riverfront and parked the car and talked about school and the things we did at school. And we laughed at really foolish things. You know, when you think back, it wasn’t really all that funny, but to us then, we couldn’t see anything wrong with what we did or said. We really had a good time, and then Bobby leaned over and kissed me, and we exchanged telephone numbers and how to get together and then parted ways. When we got home, I started to go to bed, but my dad called me to their bedroom. My heart was in my throat ’cause I knew something was wrong. He said my brother told him about meeting Bobby at the store and me asking him to come to my party. He said that was not very ladylike and I couldn’t go anywhere for the next month. I cried and asked him why. He just told me to go to my room. When I got a chance, I called Bobby and told him what happened and that kind of made him afraid to come over. I told him, “Don’t worry. Everything will be all right soon.” I said, “Please don’t be afraid because I do want to see you again.” He said okay. So we had to be careful when calling each other. I got up the next day and went to school, and my friend Judy met me in our homeroom period. We started talking about our weekend. I learned she liked Bobby’s buddy a lot. She said they had a date planned for the following weekend. Her parents were not so strict on her as mine were. I told her what my dad did about my restriction for a month, and she shouted out, “What!” Then she said, “I’ll tell you how you can by that.” I asked her how, and she said, “Just tell them you want to spend the night with

me.” Of course, that didn’t work until my restriction was off. Needless to say, it was a long month. Then on the weekend I was to get off, I asked if I could go to Judy’s for the weekend. Little did I know of the events that were about to occur. Dad said, “Well, I guess so. But be careful.” I got Judy to come over and pick me up ’cause I didn’t drive yet. We started to make plans for the weekend, and I must it, I was so excited. Oh, you know my first thought! Bobby Fairfield! We decided to go to town and get a hamburger and fries first thing ’cause I was really hungry. Judy said she wanted to get some tacos or maybe a taco salad with a couple of apple turnovers. Boy, that sounded so good, and I loved their turnovers because they were made with caramel. Hmmmm, was it good. So I changed my mind, and we got a taco salad instead. We ate and talked about the guys in our lives and how good they looked and how it made us feel when they put their arms around us and how we got so bad when they kissed us. We had a good laugh about the way we had butterflies in our stomachs when we got near them. Life was so beautiful right now in our young, carefree days. No worries in the world, just live for the day and eat, drink, and be merry. I borrowed Judy’s telephone and called Bobby and asked him what he was up to. He said, “Oh, nothing. Right now I’m on lunch. What are you doing?” I told him where I was and what our plans were for the weekend, and then I asked him if he had any plans. “No,” he said, “I can’t hardly wait to see you again, but I need to tell you something.” “What?” I ask. He told me his ex-girlfriend had been by this week and demanded him to tell her which girl he was going to be with—her or the other girl that he had been seen with. He said he told her he was sorry, but he guessed it would be me. He said she slapped his face and took off his ring and threw it somewhere in the bushes outside. I asked him if he was able to find his ring. He said, “Yes, after about two hours.” Then he said, “Let’s change the subject. So what time are we getting together?”

I was so excited I wish it were right now! Was I on cloud nine! I told Judy what was said, and she said that she had better call Jimmy and find out if he was going to be free or not. She hung up the phone and looked at me and started to yell, “Whoopeeee! We’re on, girl!”

Chapter 3

When we finished eating, we went back to her house. The front of her house was pretty yellow with hunter-green shutters. It had a deck, railings around the porch, and cement steps. It was so cozy inside with a peaceful atmosphere. Her bedroom was a typical teenager’s room: music, TV, computer, and clothes on the back of the chair. It was wonderful though. I started looking for the things I wanted to wear, and my hair had to look just right for Bobby. I got in the shower and washed my hair and shaved my legs ’cause I didn’t want to miss anything for this night. Judy jumped in the shower after I got out and did her thing while I painted my nails and did a pedicure. Bobby called me again to double-check on the time we were supposed to meet and where. I said six thirty, and we would meet in front of Sonic. He said it sounded good to him. I took out my deep-rose silk blouse and my black slacks and my necklace with my letter a on it. Then I sprayed some perfume on, and I looked in the mirror, and I thought so far, I was looking good. I took the towel off my head, and my sandy-brown hair flowed down my shoulders and fell down my back. I had plugged in the curling iron and the hair dryer and started to work on making a masterpiece of my head. Judy got out and slipped in a beautiful maroon sweater and Lee jeans. She looked like a model. Her hair was pretty and blond, softly lying on her shoulders. She had fair skin and a very good shape. Later on, when we had finished doing all we knew we could do on our looks, Judy told her mom we were going to a movie and get something to eat. Her dad spoke up and said we both had better be careful and come home on time. We both spoke up and said, “Yes, sir!” We went outside and got in her little Honda. She said it was small but so good on gas. I thought it was so cute, and I, not having a car, thought it was so pretty. We had to drive about seventeen miles to get to the Sonic drive-in, where Bobby and Jimmy were waiting for us. He said to look for Jimmy’s blue Explorer. There they were, waiting for us and, might I say, looking so fine! We got out of our ride and got in their ride and hugged them and kissed them too. Then we started to figure out what we wanted to eat. While waiting for our food, we tried to think of where we wanted to go and where we would leave Judy’s car because

Jimmy’s car was a lot bigger inside. We rode over to the hospital to leave Judy’s car there for security. Then we went to the drive-in movie because it would give us more time to talk without disturbing others with our silly laughs and talking. The movie playing was a favorite of mine, Pretty Woman, with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Excellent movie. This way, I could tell the truth about what the movie was about if I were asked. Genius! Or so I thought. Bobby pulled me over next to him and put his arm around my waist and kissed me very slowly and very ionately. I felt like I was in some kind of a spell. He said, “I couldn’t think of nothing else at work for the rest of the day but this.” Jimmy drove us later, before the movie was over, down by the river and parked the car. He then got out and told Judy to get the spread in the back and go with him. I looked at her, and she said, “It’s okay. We’re just going over there to sit so we can talk in private.” I said okay, and I could see them, so I felt okay. I sat back, and Bobby put his arm around me and held me next to him and started to kiss me until I was breathless. I had never had this kind of loving before, and I must say, I was overwhelmed. Then he started to touch me in places he shouldn’t, and then I started to push back. He looked at me and said, “What’s wrong?” I took his hand and told him he was too fast for me. He said he was sorry and asked me to please not be mad. He looked in my face and said he liked me a lot more than he should for this being our first date. “I’m sorry I got so carried away with you, but it is so hard not to want to touch you and just crush you in my arms.” He then kissed me again, and boy, did I almost melt. I knew if I didn’t do something different, I was going to be in deep trouble. So I asked him if he had any pictures of his family in his wallet. He said yes and took out his wallet, and we looked at pictures for a while, his and mine. It was so nice because I didn’t know how strong my willpower was at that point. Later, I sat close to him and told him I had the best time of my life. He said he did too. I asked him if he would call me again. “Are you kidding? Girl, you are not getting out of my sight for very long.” He said, “I can’t think of nothing but you, night and day, and I’m not hungry, so what do you think is my problem?” I laughed and told him I thought I was the nutty one because that was the way I

had been feeling ever since I saw him at the hospital. We just hugged and said we had to fix it so we could see each other more often. Judy and Jimmy came back to the car, and we voted on going back to the Sonic and getting us a soda. To cool off, I know. They had a wonderful time too, and it was a close call for them too, according to Judy later.

Chapter 4

The next day, we made plans to go to the beach and hang out there and spend the day. We lay out in the sun. Oh, was it hot! Oh gosh, was I captivated by his body, looking so bronze under the sun. I felt like I wanted to run my hands over his chest covered with black hair. Oh my, I had to stop looking at him. I could tell it was doing a number on me. I turned over and looked the other way. I felt his eyes on me, and I knew he was observing my slender body. Today I wore my hawaiian-color two-piece bathing suit. It showed off my dark tan real good, and I knew that. I could tell he was having a hard time acting like he wasn’t looking at me. Judy looked very beautiful in her baby blue bikini that set off her long blond hair, which was shining in the sunlight. It really showed off her slender body too. Jimmy was cutting up big time with her, trying to act as if he were going to follow after each attractive girl that walked by. She ran after him to catch him, which made them both fall down in the sand. They had sand in their hair and all over their back. They had to go back out in the water to wash it off. Being sunburned is one thing, but sand in your swimsuit? No! Bobby laughed so hard and asked if I wanted to go for a swim? I thought, Oh no, wet again, but I said, “For a little while.” He said, “Take my hand,” and we jumped into the waves until they almost knocked us over. As the next big wave came in, he grabbed my hand and pulled me up to him and held me so close I could hardly breathe. I enjoyed every minute of it until we got so tired of fighting the waves and the power they had. It really would wear you down big time. About an hour later, we decided we had been out in the sun long enough, so we packed up our stuff and left. On the way home, we stopped by a drive-in and ordered something to eat. I decided I wanted a shrimp basket with fries and a drink. It was really good. Bobby said he wanted a burger and a drink, and Judy and Jimmy sort of chose like we did. We thought we’d rest a little when we got back. Really, because we hated to see the day end. Bobby slipped over next to me in the backseat and said, “You know, I can’t tell you when I’ve had this much fun in a long time. I really hate to take you back

because I’m afraid of how long it will take me to see you again.” I turned and looked at him and said, “I know, because my dad is very strict on me dating anyone. I’ve enjoyed my time with you so much, and I hate to see it end too.” Judy spoke up and said, “Hey, you guys, don’t get so dramatic. Today is not over, and we will have another chance. Just play your cards right.” I asked her, “What cards? You don’t have things as tight as I do at your house.” So anyway, Bobby put his arms around me and held me so tight, and it felt so good just being in his arms again. He said, “I don’t want to let you go. But don’t worry because I’ll find a way to see you.” So we went back to get Judy’s car and load up all our beach stuff. We kissed good-bye, and Judy took me home. When we went inside, I could feel trouble in the air. I proceeded to tell them what kind of day we had and how much fun we had, but Mom and Dad said they were not under the impression we were going, and they asked what happened to me calling and asking first if it was okay to go. I said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would be upset if I was with Judy.” Dad said, “If it happens again, you won’t go again.” I immediately said, “Yes, sir!” I knew that now I was sixteen years old, and I was allowed to date. So I asked if I could go to the movies with a boy from school. Dad said, “What boy?” I told Dad his name is Bobby Fairfield, and he is seventeen. “How are you going to get to the movies? Does he have a car?” “No, sir. His buddy, Jimmy Worley, has a car, and he is Judy’s date.” Dad looked over to me, and I just froze ’cause I just knew he was going to say

no. He said, “Well, I guess it will be okay, but you come straight home.” I spoke up and said, “But, Daddy, can’t we go get a hamburger at least after the movie?” Mom said, “Don, don’t you think that would be okay?” “Yeah, I guess so,” he said. “Abby, don’t make me sorry. You hear me?” “Yes, sir.” I answered back. “I won’t, Daddy.” I went upstairs to my room and thought I would burst. I was so excited. I could hardly wait till school the next day so I could tell Judy the exciting news.

Chapter 5

Well, it was Monday morning. The clock went off, and I took one more stretch and yawned real big and jumped out of bed and headed for the shower. I regulated the water and got in. It felt so good, hitting my body and making me feel real warm and giving me a good wake-up. It also made me keep thinking of yesterday with Bobby. I got out of the shower and found a cool mint green blouse with a V-cut neckline and a pair of jeans and flip-flops. I let my hair down out of the towel, and it fell down my back. I took the blow-dryer and dried it a little so it wouldn’t wet my blouse. I loved looking at how pretty my sandy brown hair shined after I washed it. Oh gosh, I’ve got to hurry, or I’ll be late. I rushed to the kitchen and fixed a piece of toast and some orange juice and grabbed my book sack. “Abby, the bus is here,” yelled my mom. “I know, Mom. See you later.” “Okay,” she yelled again. “Love you.” “Love you too, Mom.” I got on the bus and sat beside Jeb Gudrow, who lived down the street from me. He was always making es at me, trying to get me to go out with him, especially now since I turned sixteen. He said, “Sit down here, gorgeous, next to a handsome man.” I just looked at him and said, “What? Where is he at?” We chatted about different things until we got to school. He said, “Hey, Abby, have you changed your mind about going out with me?” “Sorry, Jeb. I’ve met this real nice guy, and we have a date for the weekend,” I said.

By then I heard the bus driver say, “Okay, you kids. We’re at the school. Get your book sacks and move it!” So we stood up and got in line to get off the bus. I looked out to see Judy standing out in front of the school, waiting for me. I stepped off the bus and yelled at Judy to come on. Walking down the hall, I started to tell Judy about Dad and Mom giving me permission to go to the movie with Bobby and her and Jimmy. She hollered out, “Yes!” A teacher ed us and said, “Girls, shush!” So we went into our homeroom class and took a seat. Everyone was talking and laughing until the teacher came in, and when she came in, you knew it was time to button your lip. Dwayn Johnson threw a piece of paper at me, and I read it to see what he wrote. He said, “Hey, baby, I need a date Saturday night. Can you help out a poor, homeless guy like me?” I just looked at him and shook my head no. It makes you feel real good when guys make comments to you like that because it lets you know if you are popular or not in school. I’ve seen some girls look so sad because no one asked them out or just talked to them. One thing I’ve learned: people can be so rude and hurtful if you’re not in the groove. Mrs. Bell came in and told us all it was time to get busy and get ready for our first class down the hall. The bell started ringing, and everybody jumped up and started heading for the door. Man, was it like a stampede of wild horses. Judy came out and yelled, “I’ll see you at lunchtime.” “Okay,” I replied back. Okay. So I headed to my math class and started to get serious, or the teacher would give me a bad grade on my report card, which was due next week, and I didn’t want dad to put me on restriction again. Then I thought of Bobby, and that made me want to work harder. He had really made a difference in my life, and I didn’t want to mess it up. Oh well, back to the millstone, again.

Chapter 6

Well, the week has been so slow, but it is finally Friday, and I am so excited because I can see my baby. I got off the bus and went in the house and called Mom to see where she was. She yelled back and said, “I’m on the back porch, honey. Be right in.” I put down my books and got a pack of Nabs and a soda. Mom came in, and I asked her what she wanted me to do before I went to my room to clean it up and take a shower. Then I would get ready before Judy picked me up to go to the movies. She told me to get some clothes out of the dryer and put another one in and fold up that load. So I did. “Oh, Abby, take the vacuum out, and do the carpet in the living room and down the hall.” “Okay,” I answered. I sure didn’t want to make her get upset with me either ’cause she would sure tell Dad and then my night would be messed up for sure. After I got through with my chores, I asked if I could go get in the shower. Mom said, “I guess you can if you’ve finished.” I assured her I was finished. “Go ahead then,” Mom answered. I felt so good, I started to sing in the shower. I reached for the towel to put around my head and then got another one for my body. I stepped out on the rug and started to rub down to dry off. I was so happy, I felt like dancing, which I did out of the bathroom and into my bedroom. I stood in front of the mirror, iring my body with each soft curve of my waist and my hips. My hair was long enough to drop over my breasts until it made me think of Lady Godiva. You could see that I had been to the beach the week before from the suntan showing off the shape of my bathing suit. Then I ed Bobby pulling me so close to him that I started to get butterflies in my stomach. I rushed then to get my clothes on before Judy came to pick me up. I pulled out my gray slacks and a black pullover shirt with my black flats. I pulled my hair back with a silver

barrette and put my silver stud earrings in and some lip gloss on, and I was ready for my sweetheart. I heard a horn blow, and I knew it must be Judy. I went to the window and looked out, and there she was. I think I missed every other step going down. I went over to Mom and hugged her bye and told her I loved her. She replied back, “I love you too.” We were so wired up with the adrenaline of excitement that we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. We finally met Bobby and Jimmy over at the hospital parking lot to get in the car with them. Bobby got out for me to get in, and soon as I got in, he grabbed me and kissed me like I’ve never been kissed. I was just blown away with ecstasy. It was the longest week I had ever seen. He took my hand and said, “You don’t know how long this day has been.” I said, “Oh yes, I do.” He lay his head back against the seat and said, “I don’t know what I’m going to do.” I turned and looked at him and asked, “Why?” “Well, I’ve dated a lot of girls, but I’ve never had one to make me feel so stupid and have butterflies in my stomach when I start thinking about you. Man, I can’t handle this.” That scared me ’cause I thought he wanted to stop seeing me. “Bobby, what are you saying to me? You want to stop seeing me?” “Oh, heck no! I just want to see you more, and I know I can’t because of your parents.” I just slipped closer to him and curled up in his arms. “Please, let’s just think about tonight and enjoy it.” Jimmy said, “Judy and I are experiencing the same thing you guys are. Why don’t we go down by the riverfront and talk about it?” We said okay and rode in silence all the way there. Jimmy cut the car off and then got out and called Judy to get the spread and go with him. After they left, Bobby grabbed me and started kissing me so ionately, I felt like I was

coming unglued. His hands were all over me, and I knew it was too late to call stop now. He whispered in my ear how badly he wanted me, how much he wanted me for his own, and how he didn’t want anyone else to have me. I just melted in his embrace. We were entwined in each other’s arms it seemed like for hours. He kept telling me how beautiful I was to him and how he wanted to hold me in his arms until morning. I came to reality then because I knew I had to get going to get something to eat before going home. Then he pulled me back in his arms and told me, “Baby, I know I shouldn’t say it this soon because we’ve only had about three times of being together, but I love you.” I kissed him back and said, “I know because I love you too.” I had to stop and think sensibly and wisely. I’ve got to finish my high school and have my parents’ blessings and not have them mad. “What are we supposed to do?” asked Bobby. “We have to make things right. You take me home and go up and shake my dad’s and my mom’s hands. I want them to love you like I do.” Jimmy and Judy got back in the car and said, “Are we ready to go?” I said, “Yes, we’re going to get something to eat, and then, Jimmy, will you take me home so my dad and mom can meet Bobby and you, please?” Jimmy spoke up and said, “Whatever!” When we drove up in front of my house, I thought I was going to be sick from my nerves. I looked over at Bobby, and he didn’t look so good either. Then Jimmy said, “Well, let’s get it over with.” So we all three got out and went inside. Dad was in front of the TV, of course. Mom was sewing some clothes that needed mending and trying to glimpse at what was on TV too. I broke the ice by saying, “Mom, Dad, this is Bobby Fairfield and his buddy Jimmy Worley.” Dad turned around and stuck out his hand and shook their hands. Then he told them to have a seat. He cut the TV off and started to ask them questions about how the movie was. They, being so nervous, said it was fair, nothing to brag about.

Dad said, “That’s sad to think you spent good money on a movie that was not worth looking at.” Bobby spoke up and said, “Yes, sir. You’re absolutely right.” Jimmy said, “I don’t make the same mistake twice. No, sir! So then I spoke up and said, “Daddy we enjoy going out together and going places, so that’s why we came to get your blessings and approval. So I wanted you to know Bobby and Jimmy so you wouldn’t worry about who we were with. I care about how you and Mom worry about me.” Dad turned and looked at me and said, “Abby, I really appreciate that a lot, but I’m still Dad, and I’m still going to hold to my rules around this house. You know that?” I said I did, and I told them I loved them and walked Bobby and Jimmy to the door after they shook Mom’s and Dad’s hands. Outside, the boys took a deep sigh of relief. Jimmy said, “I feel like I’ve just been through a court trial.” Bobby laughed and said, “Man, you haven’t been through Judy’s parents yet. Just you wait.” Jimmy said, “Yes and you’re going in with me too.” Bobby spoke up and said, “I will ’cause that’s what friends are for.” “Man, I love you for that.” Bobby said, “For a minute, I thought I’d have a heart attack.” They both laughed and got in the car. They waved at me going away. I turned around and went back in the house. Mom said, “Abby, that was a very mature thing you did tonight, and we both love you for it.” Dad said, “That Bobby was a right nice-looking guy.” I agreed. We just sat and talked for a little while about what they had done all day and made small talk about somebody in the family and what had been happening in the family. So we all said our good nights and went to bed.

When I got in my room, I felt a sigh of relief myself. I knew I was in love with Bobby, and I wanted their approval very much. So I got out my nightgown and took off my clothes so I could get ready for bed. I was really tired because this night that we had just gone through was very stressful. I really felt sorry for the boys ’cause I know they were scared out of their wits. You would have thought they had to ask permission for my hand in marriage. I kind of laughed at the thought of that one. Hmmmm, maybe. Sleep finally came.

Chapter 7

Morning came too early, and I knew it was Monday, a day at school. So I pulled myself out of bed and got dressed. In the meantime, my telephone rang. I picked it up and said hello. It was Bobby. “Hey, beautiful! I’m on my way to work, and I had to tell you I love you.” I was so excited, I felt a warmth come over my body just hearing his voice. I then told him I loved him too. He then started to say, “Don’t let none of those boys flirt with you. Okay?” I said, “Honey, you don’t have a thing to worry about. I could have gone with them a long time ago, but I found something I liked much better.” “That’s my baby talking now,” he said. “Have a good day at work,” I told him. He said, “You too. I’ll call you later.” I told him okay and hung up. I knew I’d better get a rush on, or I’d be late and then I’d make Mom start yelling at me. I was ready to go to school so I could tell Judy what happened last night ’cause I knew she was bursting at the seams to find out how it went. I really think a lot of Judy. We have been friends for the last three years, and I couldn’t have a better friend. It’s wonderful to know you can tell your biggest secrets to someone and know you can trust them not to tell anyone. That’s the kind of person she is. I went down to the kitchen and grabbed me a piece of toast and a small carton of orange juice and headed out the door. When I got outside, there was Judy, waiting for me in her car. So needless to say, today already started good. Made Mondays look a lot better. On the way to school, I filled Judy in on last night and how scared the guys were. She pushed her head back and started laughing. She spoke up and said, “Wait until they have to go to my house next so my parents can meet them too.”

I told her they knew it was coming sooner or later. So then we changed the subject to new plans for the weekend. Judy said, “Abby, you know I’ve really fallen for Jimmy in a big way?” I told her I knew it, and I was the same about Bobby. She then told me she had already made one mistake. I then told her I had too. But we both had to be careful because we could get in a lot of trouble, and we both knew that. By the time we got to school, we had gotten our minds off the guys and started talking about things that others did that irritated us greatly and then other girls we knew who would love better than to try and take our boyfriends away from us. Girl talk. Oh well, we were at school, and we could see we had only five minutes to get ourselves in class or be late, and that would be a no for us. We had so many plans made, and being late or making bad grades would be bad for us because our parents would be upset with us and then we could not go out with Bobby and Jimmy. I jumped out and fled across the school yard and down the hall after I told Judy I’d see her later on at lunch period. The day ed rather fast for me. When I thought about Bobby calling me after school made it all fly by. Life was so good, and I looked forward to each morning to come. This was the last of the school days for the year, and we started the countdown. It was May 25, and school let out on June 4. I had to start looking for a summer job so I could help buy my clothes for the summer and for the next year of school. My parents worked hard to make enough money for our living expenses, and they have never asked us to work. But when we needed extra clothes and money for things we wanted and places we wanted to go, because now my brother and I were older, we required a lot more in expenses. So there’s where we took a vote to get a summer job. Eric really needed a lot more because this was his last year, if he graduates, and he wanted a nice car so he could go to college. I was under the impression he’s found one where he wanted to go to. If I’m right, it will make Mom and Dad happy. I tried to be smart in school and always made good grades. It made them happy with me. I’ve got this last year to go, and then I’ll think about college. I love law, and I think I’d love to be a lawyer. Oh well, that’s speculating too fast. I know they make good money, and that is what I’m after. Eric really loved outside work, and he liked being a welder in his industrial arts class. He said welders really make good money and go places for different jobs away from home, and he wanted to travel some before he settled down when he found the right girl. He was so mature acting to me. He, being my only brother, was special to me even if he makes me mad by always looking out for me. He said that was

because he was older and didn’t want me hurt. Thinking about my family makes me so proud of them. Judy spoke up and said, “Where you been for the last few miles?” I’m singing away, and you’re in another world.” I sighed and said, “I was thinking about the summer coming on, and I’ve got to get a job, and I’m sort of excited, and then again, I’m not because I won’t be able to sleep late in the morning and go swimming when I like. I guess that’s another lesson in growing up.”

Chapter 8

“Now that we’ve met Jimmy and Bobby, we have a lot more to look forward to, right?” Judy yelled. I looked at her face and said, “Oh my gosh, where are we going this weekend?” “How about let’s go bowling or fishing, something different than what we’ve been doing because it gets very steamy in the car and out on the spread, if you know what I mean.” Even though I loved every minute of it, I knew what she was referring to. So we called the guys and asked them which they wanted to do the best. They spoke up and said they would rather have dinner at Bobby’s house and then go down to the flea mall, which was in a town about fifteen miles away, and later, we could eat out somewhere. So Judy and I thought about it and gave in. I was sort of nervous to meet his family ’cause I really didn’t know anything about them, and I had to find out what my parents would say. So we told them we would get back with them after we told our parents what we had planned. Anyway, we had the whole week to find out and see if we were going or not. One thing is for sure; each week since I had met Bobby, I felt like I was going to explode. I never knew what to expect from him and keep my parents happy with me. Life was a lot more complicated than ever. I never knew falling in love could bring you so much joy and hurt in a day. Judy spoke up and said, “Boy, why did we fall in love?” I told her I was just thinking about the same thing. We both just threw up our hands and laughed. These moments will be with us forever, I know. Judy pulled up in front of my house, and I got out. Judy said, “See you in the morning?” I told her yes. When I went inside, I saw something was going on, and I called Mom.

“I’m in the living room, honey,” she answered. There was my dad’s brother, Rufus, and his wife, Lynn. I hugged their necks and sat down with them. “Are you both taking a vacation before it gets too hot?” Uncle Rufus said, “Not yet. We just came in for business, and we thought we’d stop by, being in your area.” I still thought something was wrong because they were so sad looking and quiet. Then Aunt Lynn spoke up and said, “Honey, we just came from the doctor’s office, and the news was not good.” My heart dropped because they were my favorite aunt and uncle. “Well, who is sick?” She spoke up and said, “It’s me. The doctor said I have cancer in the fourth stage. It’s in the liver and it’s moved fast to the other parts of the body.” She started to cry, and Uncle Rufus put his big arm around her and told her, “Honey, I’m right here, and that’s where I’ll always be.” It was awful for the next couple of hours. The doctor gave her maybe three months. My dad told Uncle Rufus he was there to help him in any way he could. Dad said, “You know, Rufus, that’s what Mom would have wanted us to do. We’re family, and we have to stick together ’cause you know we love you both.” Uncle Rufus wiped his eyes and nodded his head yes. They ate supper and headed back to Virginia. We sat out on the porch as they drove off and talked about how sad that was, and Dad looked to the sky and said, “Thank you, Lord, for taking care of us, and I pray you’ll help my brother and his wife with the trials they are facing. Amen.”

Chapter 9

We learned a few weeks later that they took care of all the funeral arrangements and bills, and Aunt Lynn refused the chemo treatments and said no to radiation. They gave her pain pills and morphine to help dull the pain enough so she could bear it. In the meantime, I called my friend Judy and told her about Aunt Lynn. She was very sympathetic ’cause she loved talking to Aunt Lynn when they came down. They had two sons, Barry and Rufus Jr., and a daughter, Daniella. Barry was eighteen and Rufus Jr. was twenty-two and Daniella was my age, sixteen. So at least they could manage the chores and help out Uncle Rufus. We made trips up to see them at least once a month because of the distance and gas being so high. Aunt Lynn got to looking so bad, losing so much weight, her eyes dark and sunk back in her head. Finally, about four months and two days later, we got the awful call that Aunt Lynn went on to be with the Lord. Uncle Rufus said he’d let us know when the funeral arrangements would be and where, so we waited for him to call. The next day, late in the afternoon, he called and said the funeral would be Sunday at two in the afternoon. She was laid to rest near where her mom and dad were laid. It was an awful day. So much tears and sorrow until I was ready to go home and forget it all. I couldn’t handle sad stuff very well. It made me start to think about my dad and mom and what would I do if I lost them. Then I thought, That’s so stupid! We all will die one day; it’s a sure thing. I really felt sorry for my dad because he loved his brother and sister-in-law, and he would cry when he saw his brother cry. Well, we all loaded up and started on our way back home. I hadn’t talked to Bobby in what seemed like forever, so I called him on the way back to see how he was and really to see if he missed me as much as I did him. He answered the phone and I said, “Hello.” And he said, “Gosh, I was so scared you weren’t going to ever come back. I miss you so bad. I love you so much. When are you coming home?” I said, “We are on our way home now.” He yelled out, “Whoopee!”

Dad said, “What in the world is he hollering so loud for?” I said he was glad we were coming home. It seemed like I had been away from Bobby for months, and I really missed him more than I needed to. I couldn’t keep my uncle Rufus off my mind when I saw him crying so hard at my aunt’s grave. I thought, Oh my, what would I do if something like that was to happen to me and Bobby? I know this was too mature for me to be thinking about stuff like that, but I knew that I loved him more than I should at this stage in our lives. I lay my head against the backseat and closed my eyes until we got home. We were all so tired that after we got our luggage out of the car and took it inside, we just crashed. I went to my room and took a quick shower and slipped in my PJs. Soon, as I turned the cover back on my bed and got in between the sheets, I reached up and turned off the lamp. I snuggled up on my side and thanked Jesus for everything he had done for me and my family and for blessing us with traveling grace on the road and for blessing me with meeting Bobby. I closed my eyes; I knew it wouldn’t be long. In the meantime, I hoped I would dream about Bobby.

Chapter 10

Hmmmm. Well, the clock sounded off, letting me know it was time to get ready for school and make plans for what to wear. I still felt drained out from the trip. I looked in the mirror at the dark circles under my eyes. I had to do some fast miracles to change that. Mondays were always the worst day of the week, and you know Fridays are the best. Oh well, enough of that. I turned on the shower and got in so I could start waking up. The water felt so good. The warmth of it made me feel tingly. Of course it made me think of Bobby and how he made me feel when he got near me or put his arm around me and held me close. I thought, Boy, would I love to play hooky today and go see him. I would be in deep trouble with my dad and mom if I did. It seems like I haven’t seen him in months. I finished washing off and got out of the shower to dry off. I was standing in front of the mirror, iring my body and thinking of how Bobby looked at me. It made me sort of blush to know how all this made me feel so warm inside. Stop, Abby, it’s Monday morning and it’s getting late, I said to myself. So I pulled out a pair of jeans and a pullover shirt and put my hair up in a ponytail. I got down on my knees to look under the bed for my favorite pair of sneakers to wear. I grabbed my books and headed downstairs for some breakfast. Mom was in the kitchen and handed me a cheese toast and orange juice. We heard a horn blow, and Mom asked, “Who in the world is that?” “I think it’s Judy,” I chirped. Sure enough, it was. I kissed Mom bye and told her I would be home later. “All right, honey,” she answered. We put on our seat belts and drove off to school. We were so excited to be back together that we talked all the way to school. Judy said she and Jimmy went off for the weekend. She told her parents she spent the weekend with another girl but stayed with Jimmy at the beach in a motel. I was shocked because I didn’t think she was that brave. She really had a lot more guts than I did. One thing I’ve learned was love will make you do stupid things. Judy said she heard

another girl in one of our classes was pregnant and everybody was gossiping about it. I hated to hear that because it was bad enough to have something like that happen. People don’t have to be so ugly and vicious to talk about someone in trouble and not offer to see if they could help. “Well, you know, Abby, if it were you or me, they would do us the same way.” “I know,” I said. I spoke up then and said, “Judy, the way I feel about Bobby worries me.” “What do you mean?” asked Judy. I said, “Well, I’ve already made one slipup, and I’m scared I can’t say no anymore.” She said with a sigh, “I know what you mean ’cause I can’t say no to Jimmy anymore.” I then asked Judy if she was real careful with protection. “Yes,” she said. We saw then that we were at school, so we discussed how we would get back together at lunch. “See you later,” Judy yelled. “Later,” I yelled in returned. For some reason, it seemed like today was so long. I kept thinking about Bobby and how I missed him. The thoughts sort of scared me because to love someone this much was scary. I knew if I showed too much to him, it would be my last time to see him. I have good intentions of finishing school and trying to follow my dreams of what I want to be later. Now, all this comes to me, and I’m not complaining though because I know I love Bobby more than I should, but it is a lot easier to talk about what you should do than what you will do. I know grownups would say, “Girl, you are too young to know what real love is.” So the best thing I can do is keep it to myself. Ringggggg! The lunch bell went off, and everyone got up and hurried down the

hall for the lunchroom or went out to eat in their vehicles while several got into one car together for a hamburger. I brought my lunch, and so did Judy. I got to the lunchroom first, so I got a table over in the corner away from the rest of the crowd. Judy came in and sat down with her lunch bag. “Hey, what cha got to eat, girlfriend?” I told her I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a bag of chips. “And I’m going to get me a soda from the drink machine. How about you?” “Oh, mine is a banana sandwich and some chips too. So tell me, how was it up to your uncle’s house?” “It was real boring, to be truthful about it. I’m so sorry for losing my aunt Lynn, but everybody was crying, and they were all so sad, and I understood that, but it really made me feel so sad too. I knew I had to come home before I went into depression too. So now let’s change the subject, please.” Judy said okay, and we ate our lunch and started to make plans for the weekend. My real desire was Bobby, and Judy said Jimmy was hers too. Judy said, “Well, how having a cookout over at my house and then we go to a movie.” I said it sounded wonderful to me. Judy said, “Okay, and so after school, I’ll call Jimmy and tell him, and he can call Bobby.” Our lunch was too short today for some reason. Ha, oh well, time to go back to our classes. I had to go in my social studies class next, and after eating, I knew I would get so sleepy. Oh well, I sat up and tried to concentrate on what the teacher was explaining to us, and I got to thinking, Girl, you better get it together. Needless to say, I made it through social studies and math class. That beautiful dismiss bell sounded off, and we all jumped up and headed for the door. We could barely hear the teacher say, “Okay, you kids have a good weekend.” When I got outside, the warm sun hit me in the face, and all I could think about was Sun Tan City. Oh, it felt so good just to think it was Friday and no school tomorrow. What was even better was the fact we only had Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, which were the last days of school and we were through for this year. Hallelujah! I was so excited about being out of school in

five days that my mind was working overtime with thoughts of things I wanted to do. First, find Bobby and kiss and hold him; second, get a job so I could have money for clothes and start saving for a car of my own. I knew that would take a lot of paychecks. Then you had to have car insurance. Oh my gosh, it goes on. I looked up, and there was Judy, in her car, waiting for me. She yelled, “Come on, girl, it’s time to get it going.” I looked over at Judy. “You know we have three more school days left?” She nodded her head yes. “I’m more excited getting to see Jimmy tonight than I am over school days.” “Oh, I know. All day I’ve had Bobby on my mind. It seems like I haven’t seen him forever.” “Oh,” Judy said, “I almost forgot. I talked to Jimmy, and he said Bobby’s parents wants us to have a cookout on the grill at their house tonight.” “What? I thought it was going to be your house. I have to hurry home so I can make sure all my chores are done. So Mom and Dad will let me go.” We drove up in my driveway, and nobody was home. I had about an hour by myself before they got off work. I told Judy bye and went inside to get started.

Chapter 11

I grabbed a soda pop from the refrigerator and took my books upstairs to my room. I slipped on a housedress to clean in so I wouldn’t mess up my good clothes. I made my bed and picked things up of the floor so it wouldn’t look so trashy. Then I made a line downstairs, cleaning as I went. The laundry room was first on the list. I pulled clothes out of the dryer and folded them. I noticed there were dirty clothes in the basket, so I put a load in the washer. I turned around to go to the kitchen and wash the dishes in the sink. All of a sudden, I heard a door slam. Who is that? I thought. “Mom! Dad! Is that you?” I went in the dining room, and I was so startled. It was Bobby. My heart almost jumped out of my chest. “Oh my god! I thought you were my mom and dad.” “No, baby, it’s me. I couldn’t stand it any longer.” He grabbed me and kissed me so hard I thought I would faint. I pulled back, and I said, “Wait, they’ll be here in just a minute. Let me finish getting ready. We will meet you in about an hour. Okay?” “Oh, all right. But hurry. I’ll be waiting. I love you,” he said. “I love you too.” And I kissed him again. “Now hurry before they come and catch us here alone. I know my dad, and he would not like this.” “Okay. Just hurry.” “Okay,” I said. He turned and walked outside where Jimmy was waiting for him. I closed the door back, and I started rushing to finish the rest of the work so I could get ready. Truthfully, I was so relieved when he left because I knew my dad would

not like seeing Bobby here with me alone in the house. Whew! After I had done my chores, I hurried upstairs to my room to get my clothes and take a shower. I pulled out a pair of capris and a pair of flip-flops and a pullover shirt and clean undies. Now getting out of the shower, I had to double-check my hair and nails to make sure they were extraclean. I always look under my arms to see if I need to shave. I knew my legs needed a shave. All I could think of was Bobby running his hands over my legs in a moment of ion. I knew this was going to be a long night. Part of me said I should stay away from quiet, dark places alone with Bobby, and part of me couldn’t wait for him to put his arms around me and make love to me so ionately. I longed for this so bad, I could almost feel his touch. So much ecstasy in the very thought of him was overwhelming me. I really had to finish getting dressed, or I would be late when Judy came. I went downstairs to wait for her, and Mom said, “Do you know where you’re going, honey?” “I think the best I can understand, we’re going to cook outside on the grill at Bobby’s parents’ house and play some bton,” I told her. “Do you have your cell phone with you, Abby?” “Mom, that’s a part of me. I almost wear it. Ha! Ha!” I laughed. “She’s right,” spoke my dad. “You kids better be careful, and call us if there’s trouble, which I hope not,” he whispered. “I love you, girl,” Dad said. “Me too, baby,” broke in Mom. I felt so bad for the things I was feeling and how they trusted me when I asked them to. They were good parents, and I knew I was loved. In the midst of all the quietness, a horn blew loud outside, and it sounded like Judy’s. I got up and opened the door to see who was there. Oh, it’s Judy, looking so radiant and happy. I went outside to get in her car. “Are you ready?” Judy yelled. “Of course I am, girl,” I said so sassily. “Well, the guys are waiting for us in the parking lot at the hospital.”

Judy backed the car out of the driveway and onto the road, and off we went. I could feel my heart start to flutter, and I was so nervous. Judy spoke up and said, “I want to tell you something in secret.” I said, “Okay.” “You promise?” she said “Yes, I promise,” I assured her. “Well,” she went on to say, “I am late on my time of the month.” “What! How late?” She sounded teary voiced. “About three weeks late.” “Oh my god! What next?” “I don’t know,” she said. Then I asked her if she had told Jimmy. “No, I haven’t,” she uttered. “I don’t know how to tell him.” I looked at her and said, “Judy, there is only one thing you can say: ‘Jimmy, I might be pregnant.’ Do it alone so you won’t embarrass anyone else with it.” “All right,” she said. “I’ll go somewhere so I don’t have to worry about being heard. Abby, thanks for being my friend.” I assured her by telling her, “That’s what friends are for. You know you have to confide in someone, and what better person than your best friend.” We finally got to the parking lot, where the guys were waiting for us. Judy pulled alongside Jimmy’s Explorer, and we got out and walked around to their car to get in. They both jumped out and took us by the arm and escorted us to get inside. We all hugged and kissed and sat back to go. “We are going to the grocery store to buy some steaks and stuff to go with it,” said Jimmy. “Bobby’s mom is fixing some salad and baked potatoes and a couple of other things she wanted to surprise us with. Mr. Fairfield is really excited over us coming over to cook on the grill at their house, and they get to

meet you girls.” Then I thought of a good way for Judy to talk to Jimmy about her situation. “Hey, Bobby, why don’t you and I go in and get the steaks?” He looked over at me and said, “Well, that’s fine with me.” Jimmy said, “Okay, call me if you want help.” So we got out of the car and went in the grocery store. Inside, Bobby looked at me and said, “Okay, what’s going on?” “What do you mean?” I asked. He then spoke up and said, “I know trouble when I sense it. Now what is wrong?” “Bobby, I promised Judy I would keep her secret. So you can ask Jimmy if he wants to confide in you. Okay?” “Okay,” he said, shaking his head. So we walked down the aisles to where the meats were and started looking for the steaks with the best deals. When we had all the stuff on the list he had, we walked back to the checkout counter to pay for it. Bobby took two bags, and I took one, and we headed to the car. Jimmy got out and opened the doors for us, and I could tell that Judy had been crying. Bobby looked over at her and asked, “What’s wrong, Judy? Why’re you crying? Jimmy, what’s going on, man?” Jimmy turned around to face us in the backseat and said, “She’s pregnant, we think, ’cause she is three weeks late.” “Man, what in the world are you two going to do? She’s still in school, and your job is not good enough to a family.” “I know,” Jimmy said. “We’re going to have to put our heads together and try to figure this thing out.” Then Jimmy spoke up and said, “Look, you guys, please don’t let on to anyone about this, please.”

Chapter 12

Jimmy started backing out on the highway and headed toward Bobby’s house. His house was a brick home and in a very nice neighborhood. When we drove up, his mom came out to greet us. Mrs. Fairfield was a little on the heavy side with pretty brown hair. You could tell she took very good care of herself and especially her makeup. She grabbed my arm and said, “I am, Vera, Bobby’s mom, and I could hardly wait to meet you. I feel like I already know you because you’re all he talks about every day.” I told her thank you, and then I said, “Thank you so much for letting us cook over here on the grill. It was so nice of you.” Then I introduced her to Judy. Mrs. Vera grabbed us both by the arm and took us in to meet Mr. Fairfield. “Honey,” she chirped, “look what I have. Aren’t they a beauty? This cute little blonde is Judy, Jimmy’s girlfriend, and this other cutie is Abby, Bobby’s girlfriend.” He got up and shook our hands and said, “I’m so glad to meet both of you lovely ladies. My name is Robert. Please feel at home, ladies.” Then Mrs. Vera spoke up and said, “Girls, let’s go to the kitchen and get our dinner together. I’m starved.” So we talked and laughed and had a wonderful time. They had a big table and pretty dishes around it with napkins and tall glass sets. I helped Mrs. Vera put corn on the cob on the platter while Judy put the butter and rolls on the table. The baked potatoes were wrapped in tin foil in the oven until they came in with the steaks. Mr. Robert, Jimmy, and Bobby were outside at the grill, laughing and talking. Finally, Mrs. Vera yelled to the men and asked if the steaks were ready. Then I heard Bobby say, “Taking them up as we speak.”

“Wonderful,” she hollered back. We all sat around the table, and they motioned for us all to hands. Mr. Robert then said grace over the meal. We all had a great time, and the food was excellent. I had the best time of my life. After we ate, we girls gathered up the dishes and cleaned them out and placed them in the dishwasher. When everything was cleaned up, Mr. Robert came in and said he and Mrs. Vera were going over to their friend’s house for a game of cards. So we got out the bton game and put up the net and got ready to play. The guys said, “Hey, girls, can we just rest for a moment?” “My stomach is so full, I feel like I’ll throw up if I start this minute,” said Bobby. So we all agreed and sat back on the lawn furniture and looked up at the stars shining so bright and talked about how wonderful it was tonight. We all agreed on that. Then Bobby leaned over and whispered in my ear that his mom really liked me and she enjoyed tonight and hoped we’d do it again. Bobby had an older sister that was married and an older brother in the army. We rested for maybe thirty minutes before we started to play the game. We paired off—the girls against the boys. Naturally, the girls won the first game. This was not cool with the boys. So they dared us to challenge them to one more game. “All right,” we stated, “if it will make you both happy, and then maybe you’ll love us a lot more.” We just laughed, and they hollered out, “Whatever!” Now you know they won. Right! Oh well, it was a lot of fun, and it kept our mind off Judy’s problem. Afterward, Jimmy asked if we minded him and Judy going by themselves to the store and talk about what to do for a little while. We both spoke up, saying, “Not at all.” After they left, Bobby asked me if I wanted to go inside ’cause it was getting sort of chilly. “Sure,” I said.

We made sure all the stuff was cleaned up because we didn’t want to make his parents upset for us having a cookout. The telephone rang, and Bobby ran to get it. His dad was on the line, and he wanted to know if everything was okay. Bobby assured him it was. Mr. Robert then asked Bobby if he would be all right by himself because they were going to go out floundering with their best friends and it would be about three or four before they got back home. Bobby said, “Daddy, why do you ask me things like that? I’m not a child anymore.” “I know, son. I’m sorry. I worry about leaving you and knowing you don’t have a car yet.” Bobby said, “I’m okay, so don’t worry. I have Abby and Jimmy and Judy. When they go home, I’ll go to bed.” “Have fun,” Mr. Robert said. “Good night, son.”

Chapter 13

Then Bobby came over to me and put his arms around me and kissed me. I got so nervous all of a sudden. I knew we were alone in the house and no one was coming for a while. I got butterflies in my stomach. He then turned me loose and said, “Come here. I want to show you the things I love to do when I don’t have to work. On the walls were two deer heads, mounted. “This one I killed last year,” he said, pointing at a five-pointer. Then he pointed at the other one. “This one I killed this year.” “I had no idea you loved to go hunting,” I said. “Yes, it’s my favorite sport,” he said. Then I asked him if his dad loved to go hunting too. “Oh yes. My dad taught me everything I know about hunting.” “Bobby, you and your dad are very close, aren’t you?” “Yes, we are,” he replied. He was sitting on the side of the bed and reached over to take my hand. I stepped over to him, and I said, “Bobby, I have to it I’m scared. You look at the mess Judy is in.” He said, “Honey, somebody was not trying hard enough to make sure this sort of thing doesn’t happen. Honey, please sit down here.” He begged, so I finally sat down, and then he told me about plans he wanted to do when he got his car he was saving up for. “Abby, you know I’ve fallen hard for you, and my parents seem to really think a lot of you, and you know that makes me feel real good. I value my parents’

approval an awful lot.” He then lifted my chin and kissed me so ionately, I felt so light-headed. I knew I wanted him then as badly as he wanted me. I could feel his hands trying to unfasten my undergarments. He pulled me over to him, and we both were in a world of ecstasy. I never in my wildest dreams imagined lovemaking to be any sweeter. He started to whisper in my ear how badly he wanted me and he knew he couldn’t do without me. I knew how we had always been told that guys would promise you anything just to get you in bed. All I could think of was how much I loved Bobby and how wonderful it was to be in his arms right now and how his kissing me was driving me completely wild. Nothing else mattered right now but Bobby, loving me, holding me in his muscular arms. When it was all over, we were under his sheets with our clothes all over the floor. We stayed that way for a while, just holding each other and making plans on what we wanted to build our dream house out of. He held my face in his hands and said, “My beautiful darling, I love you so much it hurts me. I know I don’t want a life without you in it. Will you please marry me?” He sat up and handed me a little box. I was so surprised that I started to cry. “What is this, Bobby?” “Open it,” he asked. I was so nervous, my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. When I opened it, I looked at this beautiful marquee-shaped ring. I was completely in shock. I took it out, and Bobby took it from me and put it on my finger. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me and held him next to my body and made love to him again. I left all my thoughts about how I would tell my parents. I only knew right now, being in these strong arms and feeling him next to me, was a wonderful dream I had been waiting for. All of a sudden, we heard a vehicle outside, and we had forgotten about Judy and Jimmy. They knocked on the door, and Bobby yelled out, “Hold on, buddy, I’m coming. Bobby opened the door, and Jimmy asked, “Man, what are you guys doing alone?” Bobby started telling him about where his parents were and what they had said. Jimmy said, “If we had known this, we would have been back sooner.”

Bobby then said, “I’m glad you didn’t ’cause I just asked Abby to be my wife.” “What?” Jimmy squealed. “Hey, that’s great! We could have a double wedding.” Judy spoke up then and said they might not want to get married as quickly as we were. “I’m going to make an appointment with a doctor to find out if I’m pregnant or not. If I am, then we’ll get married soon, and if not, we will make plans after I finish school to have a nice wedding, like I really want.” Then I spoke up and said, “We will have to wait for me to finish my school too.” Bobby agreed to that too. We finally decided to leave about eleven o’clock. I put my arms around Bobby’s neck and kissed him long and tenderly good night. I whispered in his ear how much I loved him and how much making love to him meant to me. I told him I could hardly wait until we could be in each other’s arms again. Bobby whispered he loved me and would dream about holding me in his arms all night. We left and headed back to Judy’s house.

Chapter 14

I felt bad because of Judy’s situation. Jimmy spoke up and said, “Hey, Abby, guess what Judy and me decided to do.” “What? I ask. “Well, we know she has to finish school, so we are going to get married, and I’ve got a job, so she can get a job during the summer that’s not too hard of a job until school starts back. Judy should be almost four months. She will go until it’s too bad for her to go, and then she can take homework home and keep up her grades. That’s the only way because this is her last year and it’s crazy to not finish. Right?” “Oh gosh, you guys are a lot more mature than I gave you credit for,” I said, trying to sound like I was more mature than they were. “Well, when are you going to go talk to her parents?” “We thought we would do it tonight, and we’re hoping you’d go in with us. Will you?” “Sure,” I said. “You were there for Bobby and me.” We pulled up in front of her house, and I could hear Jimmy just blowing, “Whew.” Judy opened the door and called out, “Hey, Mom! Where you at?” “In the living room, sweetie,” her mom called back. We three all turned and went to the living room and sat down. “Mom,” Judy asked, “where is Dad?” “Oh, he’s taking a shower. Why, what’s the matter?” Judy just looked at her mom and said, “Mom, I’ve got something to tell you, and I wanted to tell Dad too.”

Her mom took her hands and said, “Baby, is everything okay with you?” “Well, it is and then it isn’t.” “Honey, you’ve got me confused.” Then Judy said, “Mom, I think I’m pregnant.” Mrs. Watson sat straight up and said, “Judy, how many weeks?” “I’m late three weeks.” Mrs. Watson turned and looked at Jimmy and said, “Well, young man, what do you propose to do about this situation?” Jimmy sat back in his chair and started to tell her the same thing he had just told me in the car. About that time, Mr. Watson came in and said, “What’s going on, honey?” Then Mrs. Watson began telling him about what the kids had been saying. He looked over to Judy and said, “I thought you were a lot more mature than that, Judy.” After he got through, Mrs. Watson told him their plans. After a few minutes, they agreed on them getting married, and it was a must for her to finish school. No ifs, ands, or buts. So then they decided to plan the wedding a few weeks away so they wouldn’t look so obvious. Judy then said, “You know, Abby, I want you to be my maid of honor.” “Oh, you know you better ask me, girl,” I sounded off. Mr. Watson looked over to Jimmy and said, “Young man, you know you’d better be good to my daughter, or I’m coming looking for you.” Jimmy stood up and said, “Yes, sir.” And they shook hands. “Come on, you guys, let’s go in the kitchen and fix a sandwich and chips and watch this movie that Mom got today from Blockbuster. Naturally, Jimmy said, “Sounds good to me.” He looked back at Judy and me

and said, “Whew!” We all went to the kitchen, and we all fixed a snack and headed for the living room and put the movie in the CD player. We all took a sigh of relief. I kept thinking to myself, Thank you, God, and thinking of how her parents handled it. I just wish my parents were a little more like that, but I loved them no matter how they were. I really hadn’t thought of how they were going to accept my engagement ring. Oh well, I’ll cross that bridge tomorrow night. When the movie was over and we all started to clean up the snack mess we had made and Jimmy left to go home, I went to the bedroom and called Bobby to let him know how everything went. I heard his voice, and it was easy to tell I woke him up. I told him I was so sorry for waking him up, but I thought he’d like to know what happened. He spoke up and said, “Baby, that’s okay. You know I wanted to know what they had to say and how my buddy handled it all.” “Well, they were just as I thought: very understanding. They really like the idea about Judy trying to finish school. Anyway, they are going to plan a wedding real soon so she won’t start showing first. You know, you are his best man, and I am the matron of honor. Bobby said, “You know, I can handle that.” “I love you, baby,” I whispered. “What I would love to do right now is have you here in my arms, holding your body next to me. I can’t wait till tomorrow. I love you with all my heart. Good night, sweetheart.” I put down the phone and started to get dressed for bed. After turning back the spread and getting under the sheets, I could hardly wait for sleep to engulf me so I could be ready for tomorrow. Then Judy came in to get ready for bed, and she said, “Oh, Mom forgot to tell you that your mom said she wanted you to go to church in the morning and then we could go where we had planned.” Oh brother, I thought, I don’t know what Bobby will say about that. We never got around to discussing if he went to church or not. In our home, it was a must. Oh well, I’d have to call him in the morning and find out if he’d go with me or not. Judy turned off the lights and got into bed too. It wasn’t very long before I drifted off in slumber. I set the clock so I could get up on time and call Bobby so he

would have time to get ready if he wanted to go. The alarm sounded off real loud, and I wanted to throw it out of the window. But I didn’t. I reached over and got the telephone and called Bobby to find out if he would go with me or not.

Chapter 15

The phone started to ring and ring. I thought, Is he even up? Or maybe in the shower. I just knew he was gone or maybe I wouldn’t see him today at all, and I felt sick in my stomach. “Hello,” came a weak sound, then I realized it was Bobby. “Bobby,” I called out, “what is wrong?” “Nothing, baby,” he said. “We didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, ?” Then he asked, “What is wrong?” I then started to tell him what my mom said I had to do before we could go anywhere. “Please, Bobby, will you go with me?” He waited a few minutes and made a sigh to say, “I guess I’ll have to because I don’t want them to not like me, especially since they will be my in-laws one day. Right?” I then said, “Yes!” I was so happy I could have screamed. I jumped out of bed and into the shower. Judy yelled to me to hurry so she could get ready too. I stuck my head out of the shower and asked, “What? Are you going too?” “Yes!” she replied back. I heard her call Jimmy and ask if he wanted to go too. He must have asked if Bobby was going too because she said, “Yes, he’s going ’cause he told Abby he didn’t want to make Abby’s people upset because they would be his in-laws one day.” So everything after that was in turmoil. Everybody was in each other’s way. We were each trying to get to the bathroom first, and you can imagine how everyone was afraid they would be late. Me, all I could think of was Bobby was going to

church with me. I still didn’t know how I was going to show my parents my engagement ring. I thought I’d wait and pick a good time. Today is not it. Well, it was ten o’clock; this told me we needed to get a move on because we needed to leave by ten thirty. I called Bobby to see if he was ready, and he said they were getting in the car ’cause they needed to stop and get gas for the car. It was getting time to go get in the car when the telephone rang. I jumped up to get it, and Judy called out, “Abby, grab the telephone!” I called back to say, “Got it!” A voice on the line said could they speak to Judy Watson or Abby Franks. I told the man of the line I was Abby Franks. He then said he was State Trooper Jones. “We had an accident here on Green Blvd. It was a blue Explorer, and the driver was Jimmy Worley, and the enger was Bobby Fairfield. Rescue squad took them to the hospital, and they told me to call, and they gave your name and number and asked if you’d come.” I spoke up and told the officer we’d be there. “Thank you,” I said, trying not to cry while I was on the phone. I called Judy to come here. “What is it, girl?” “Judy, there has been an accident.” She asked who, and I told her it was Jimmy and Bobby. “Are they hurt? Are they dead?” I shook my head to say that I didn’t know, with tears running down my cheeks. “Oh my god, Abby, tell me!” So I started telling her what the state trooper said. She told her mom and dad what happened, and they said they would go with us. Then I got to thinking, I have to call my mom and dad. I picked up the phone and dialed our number. When it started to ring, I thought, Where are they? Please answer! Then my dad said hello. I proceeded to tell him what had happened, and Dad said, “Oh god, honey, go on. We’ll meet you over there.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I love you.” “Love you too, baby,” he answered back. We all got in the car and headed to the hospital. So many things kept running through my mind, like Are they hurt? What happened? Oh, dear God, please protect them. It seemed like we drove forever, and the traffic was so heavy. Of all things, it started to rain. It was only ten miles to the hospital, but I know we had already driven twenty miles. Oh, thank God. There is the hospital. Mr. Watson let me and Judy out first then parked the car. We jumped out and started to run to the front door. I pulled on the door to open it, and I felt numb. I had no idea of what to expect. At the front desk was a lady waiting on a woman that looked like she might be in labor. I got as close as I could to ask her where to go, and she looked up to me and said, “Miss, I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” “But my boyfriend has been in an accident, and the state trooper called me to come.” She spoke up again, “Yes, I’m very sorry, but these people were here first, and I’ll be with you as quick as I can.” I backed up, and then I heard somebody call, “Miss.” I turned around to see a state trooper. He walked over to me and asked, “Are you Abby or Judy?” “I’m Abby, and this is Judy,” I said, pointing to her. Then he asked us to go over to the other side of the hall. “Miss, it was bad. One of the guys didn’t make it, and the other one is in a coma.” We both started to cry, and I knew Judy looked as if she was going to faint. I got to her and told her to sit down and said, “Let’s give her some water or something before she es out.” We didn’t do it fast enough; she hit the floor. The state trooper got the nurses over to her, and they took care of her, and the trooper took me to the side to ask me which one of the guys was related to me.

I told him, “Bobby Fairfield.” Then he said, “He is the one in a coma. The other guy was the driver, and he was killed instantly. It seems that a man under the influence ran a red light and hit the driver in the side of his car, and it pinned the car up against the side of the over wall.” He took me to where Bobby was. I walked over to his bed, and they had everything hooked up to him to keep him alive. When I looked at my love, I wanted to burst out crying, but the trooper motioned to me not to. He told me to go outside to the hall. He wanted me to tell him how to get in touch with their parents. I told him all I knew. I told him that when Judy could talk, I could tell her about Jimmy. He told me he appreciated my help and he was so sorry having to give me such bad news. I thanked him and turned to see my mom and dad standing there. I ran to them and threw my arms around my dad’s neck, crying. “Daddy, he is in a coma, and Jimmy was killed instantly.” “Where is Judy? Does she know?” I don’t think she knows about Jimmy yet,” I told him. “Daddy, she fainted when we got in the hospital, and she heard one was dead, but she didn’t know which one was dead.” Judy’s dad came out of a room, and I walked over to him to ask him how she was doing. “She’s doing better. Abby, which one was killed?” I looked at him and I said, “I thought you knew by now.” “No,” he said. Then I told him exactly what the trooper told me. Mr. Watson said, “Oh no! I don’t know how to tell her.” My dad and mom said hello to them and told them how sorry they were for what’s happened. I told them I’d like to go to the snack bar to get a drink because I felt sick. They said okay, and we checked on Judy to see if she wanted to go with us to get a drink. Judy sat up and looked at me and asked me, “Abby, tell me, which one didn’t make it?” I took her hand, and I couldn’t help but cry. “Oh, Judy, how do I say it?”

She burst out screaming, “Oh no! Oh no, no, no!” She fell over on the bed, crying and beating her hands on the bed. The doctor on call came in to her and told her parents he wanted to give her a sedative. They finally told the doctor about her being late and that she may be pregnant. He told them what he was giving her was mild and would not hurt her if she was expecting. So the nurse came in and gave her a shot, which, in a few seconds, made her go to sleep. We then went to the snack bar.

Chapter 16

I knew I was going to get real sick if I didn’t do something right now. We all sat down and got a drink and snacks. Judy’s mom and dad started to talk about her possibility of being pregnant, and my mom and dad were shocked beyond words. So I couldn’t tell them about Bobby asking me to marry him right now. I knew it was not the right time. I asked my mom and dad if they minded me coming as much as I could to keep a check on Bobby. Dad said, “It will be okay, but you know you will have to get to work, and things at home have to be done also.” Mom put her arms around me and told me how sorry she was for me because she knew that Bobby meant a lot to me. She expressed her sympathy for Jimmy’s death and how they had just got to know him and really liked him. He really was a very nice guy when you got to know him. I felt like I was in a daze and I didn’t know what to do and what I could do to help Bobby. I was going to have to find out what the doctor wanted us to do to help him come out of this coma. I also knew today was a long test for me, and a whole lot of tears I would shed before things got better or worse. I told them I wanted to go back to check on Bobby and see if his parents had gotten here yet. I turned down the hall and headed back to the emergency room where he still lay, waiting for a private room. I saw Mr. Robert come out of his room, and I walked over to him and started to ask him how Bobby was or if there were any changes. He said no, and he told me, “Abby, you know he really loved you?” I told him I knew. I also told him about Bobby asking me to marry him last night, after the cookout at their house. I also asked him not to say anything to my parents. “Please, not yet. I don’t think they would be too thrilled right now because they want me to finish my school. Besides, when Bobby gets to showing improvement, then I’ll show them the ring he gave me.” I want to shout it out to the world about being engaged to Bobby because I truly love him, and I want to be his wife. Mr. Robert looked over to me and said, “Well, Abby, between you, Vera, and me, we have our chores cut out for us. He’s got to have someone talk to him and do

exercise with his legs and arms and things to keep him from going away like a vegetable.” I told him, “I know, and I’ll do my part because he has to get better because we have wedding plans to make.” I felt so sorry for Judy that I wanted to cry. There she was, not sure if she was pregnant or not, and she loved Jimmy so much. She was so overwhelmed over making her wedding arrangements. Now, nothing. I went on back to where Judy was before I left the hospital. By the time I got to where she was, the room was full of people. She was sitting up in bed and motioned me to come over. Her mom moved to let me in, and I took her hand and hugged her neck. She looked up at me and started to cry again, and I told her, “Please don’t cry. It makes me sad to see you cry.” Judy said, “I’m sorry, but the last bit of hope I had of Jimmy left too.” “What are you talking about, Judy?” She said, “I just started my period!” “Oh no! I’m so sorry, Judy.” We hugged and cried together. I couldn’t think of anything else that could happen. The doctor gave her some medicine to make her rest and mostly let her sleep. I went on down the hall and found my parents in the snack bar, talking to some friends that had stopped in to chat. I ask them if they were ready to go home. Mom said, “Sure, honey, if you are.” Dad said good-bye to their friends, and we went to the car. It was a quiet, sad ride home.

Chapter 17

All I could think about was my darling hooked up to all those gadgets. Dad pulled up in the driveway and said, “Well, this has been a very stressful day, if I’ve ever seen one. We need to thank God for our blessings. It’s so tragic these things have to happen to anybody. Those parents that lost their son have a very empty place in their hearts. Bobby, in the shape he is in, is going to be a sad, hurtful thing for his parents to deal with. Abby, I know this is really a bad thing to deal with, and I know you want to be there to help him get out of the coma. I don’t mind, but you do have to work and help your mom here.” “I know,” I said. “Well, as long as you do, it will be okay with me.” “I need to call Judy and check on her because it’s really bad for her too.” Then my dad spoke up and said, “Abby, let me ask you something. This thing that happened to her, about being pregnant, is this what you were doing too?” I froze in one spot. “Daddy, I hope you don’t think that of me because Judy’s parents are nothing like you and Mom. They were so easy on her and what she did. I knew better because I know you and Mom would have grounded me and things would be a lot worse for me than what she got.” Dad said, “You are so right!” “I can’t help it and what they do because I really like her as a friend, and I’d truly like to be there for her, if you don’t mind. If I were in her place, I know I’d like someone to be there for me.” Mom spoke up and said, “You’re right, Abby, because there are always mistakes made every day.” I stood still for a moment before I moved. I couldn’t help thinking about not telling them the truth. I also thought about what kind of a crazy person I would

be to hurt them that way. I also thought about the ring he gave me the last night we had together. I put it in a safe place until one day, I would be able to take it out and then I could tell them the truth. I know this is not the time. I finally turned and told them I was going to my room so I could straighten it up. Mom told me to go ahead ’cause they just wanted to watch the news and rest a little while. Anyway, I went upstairs and fell across my bed. I felt so numb inside. All I wanted to do was cry. Then I thought of Judy, and I picked up the phone and called her. Mrs. Watson picked up the phone, and I asked her if I could talk to Judy. “Sure,” she said, “let me get her on the phone.” Judy said, “Hello.” “Hey, girl,” I answered back. “I just got home, and I had you on my mind, so I decided to call and see if you wanted me to do something for you.” Judy spoke up and said, “Thank you, Abby, but I don’t know what I need right now, and I can’t think straight anyhow.” I told her I was here for her when she felt up to it. I hung up the phone, and I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, Mom was calling me to get in bed and cut out the lights. Sometime during the night, I woke up crying. I was dreaming about Bobby somewhere in a bed, like a hospital bed, and it had trapeze bars on top of it and Bobby was trying to pull up to get off the bed, and he fell off the bed, and I was trying to get him up, and I couldn’t move him. I was trying so hard, I started to cry and call, “Bobby, Bobby, please help me.” And Bobby was mumbling, “I can’t, Abby, I can’t.” When I woke myself up, I was crying so hard. I got up and used the bathroom and washed my face. I got back in bed, and it took me a little while before I could get back to sleep. I knew in the morning was school day, and I really dreaded to go.

Chapter 18

There were only three days left, so I didn’t worry about me missing a day now because we didn’t do any lessons at all. I couldn’t see what the point was for us to even go, but they would put it on your report card if you didn’t show up or at least call in. I knew already in my mind I wasn’t going. I woke up to see the sun coming through the blinds. I sat up and looked at my watch. Oh my gosh! It was ten thirty! I jumped out of bed and went downstairs to find Mom or Dad, and no one was to be found. I saw a note on the table, and I picked it up to read it. It was from Mom. Inside said,

Abby, we knew you had been through an ordeal yesterday, so we decided to let you sleep in because you only have two more days left after today, and it wouldn’t have an effect on your ing your grade. So just take it easy today and rest. I’ll call you later to see if you feel up to doing dinner for tonight.

Love you, Mom.

I decided to call Judy to see how she was doing and to ask her if she felt like getting out, because I had to go check on a job and I needed to go try to get a book to study for my driver’s license. I really wanted to go check on Bobby, but I knew now was not the right time to take her back to the hospital. It’s hard to try to stay away from things that would be hurtful to someone you really care a lot about. We had been such good friends for so long. The telephone started to ring, and she finally answered. I asked her how she was feeling and if she felt up to getting out for a little while. She said, “I guess so. What did you have in mind?” I told her I’d like to go get a book from the driver’s license office to study so I

could get my license. She said, “Well, it’s about time you did!” I agreed with her, and I proceeded to tell her I was going to look for a job and I really needed to get my license. “I guess I should go and look for a job too. Where are you going to look first?” Judy asked. “I guess I’ll try the law offices of Doolittle and Farnesworth. I heard they needed a secretary. I think if I can get my feet in the door, I’ll have a better chance of stepping up the ladder, so to speak. Let’s go check it out.” “I think that’s what I need too,” stated Judy. “Go ahead, get ready, and let me fix myself up to look presentable, and I’ll pick you up,” said Judy, sounding perked up. I thought then it sounded so good to hear her like the Judy I knew. “All right, lady! I’ll be ready when you get here.” I called Mom to let her know what we were fixing to do so she would not be mad with me. Mom answered the phone and asked me if there was anything wrong. I told her what we were fixing to do and I’d try to get back in time to fix supper. She said it sounded like a good thing to do. She wished me luck. “Thanks, Mom,” I told her, and hung up the phone. Then I called Mrs. Fairfield to see how Bobby was doing and what their plans were for the first day. She answered saying, “Hello.” I told her, “Hello, this is Abby. How are you doing?” “Oh, hi, Abby! I’m fine, and how are you feeling?” I told her how Mom let me sleep in this morning because I was so tired and worn out from yesterday’s ordeal. “Oh, honey, we all were. Truthfully, I think all of us went through so much, and I

know you and your friend, Judy, were hit real hard with seeing someone you love in the shape our son is and then learn that Jimmy didn’t make it was horrible.” Then she spoke up and said Robert was up at the hospital, now doing his shift, and then about three in the afternoon, she would do her shift. I told her what I was going to do right now and then that I was going back to cook dinner for my mom and dad. “I’ll check and see about getting a ride to the hospital, and I would stay from seven until nine thirty the first day and try to work it where I could do more with him.” Mrs. Fairfield said, “Honey, we understand what you have to do, and I’ll pick you up and take you up there. We’ll do what we can to help you until you get your license. So don’t you worry. Okay, honey, we love you like a daughter, and we’re so glad our son found someone like you.” It made me feel so good to hear her say that, and I told her thank you and I’d call her when I got through. She replied back, saying, “That would be fine. Bye for now, Abby. See you later.” I said okay and hurried to finish getting on my makeup.

Chapter 19

Shortly afterward, Judy’s horn sounded off, and I jumped up and made a dive for the front door. I saw Judy standing outside her car when I went out, so I went around to where she was standing and put my arms around her and hugged her neck. “Thank you for coming and getting me. I really wish I had my driver’s license so bad, because I hate to call on people to come get me all the time,” I told her. “Abby, that’s what friends are for. To help one another.” “You’re right as always,” I told her. “Okay, let’s get going,” I urged her. We went first to the license office, and I went in and asked for a book to study to get my license. Afterward, we went to the law offices of Doolittle and Farnesworth. I told Judy to come on and go in with me ’cause I was nervous and I could use a shoulder to lean on, if she didn’t mind. I walked up to one of the receptionists and told her why I was in there, so she told me to have a seat. Mr. Nick Farnesworth finally came out and told me to come in and asked who Judy was. I told him she was my best friend and we both were looking for a job for the summer. “Well, Judy, how about you come right on in here with Abby, and let’s see what we need here in this law firm.” We both looked at each other and smiled from excitement and joy! We walked in his office, and he told us to have a seat. He was a young lawyer and, I might add, very attractive, if I may say so. I also noticed he kept looking at Judy and asking her a lot of questions about what she could do and what was she looking for. To make a long story short, he hired Judy and told me Mr. William Doolittle, Bill, for short, needed a secretary also. Mr. Farnesworth told Judy to report for work the following Monday at 8:00 a.m. She told him, sounding so excited, “Yes, sir!” He then told me to go in Mr. Doolittle’s office and talk to him a moment. He had

a few questions to ask me also. “Yes, sir. I told him.” He was a few years older than Mr. Farnesworth was, and he was sort of nice looking. That did not interest me in the least because I knew where my heart was, and I needed a job, not a lover. After we finished our interviews, Judy and I went back to the car. Both of us were really excited about this because it could be a great asset to us for getting our feet in the door. This really did my heart good just seeing Judy look as if she would come out of this shell she had built around herself. You don’t know what you would do in this situation until it happens to you. I know I’m going to try to help her because she is my best friend. We talked about getting maybe an ice cream or a milk shake at the Sonic. We should not eat it because it’s so fattening, but right now, who’s worrying about that? Anyway, we drove over to the Sonic and got a milk shake. We talked about what time we were going to get up in the morning to get ready for our new job and drunk our delicious milk shake. Judy got to talking about what to wear on her first day, which made me feel so good to hear her sound like she wanted to do something now after staying in the house for days, not wanting to go outside the house. She then spoke up to ask me if I wanted to ride with her to work until I could get my driver’s license and maybe get a used car. I told her I’d love to and I would give her gas money and help in any way I could for her car repairs. She agreed, and we changed the subject. Then, out of the clear blue, she asked if I thought her boss was making a at her. “Well,” I said slowly, “he looked as though he liked what he saw.” She laughed softly and said, “I know right now I’m not ready for anyone.” I told her I understood. Then Judy looked at me and asked about Bobby. “I know you are trying to keep from saying anything so I won’t be hurt, but, Abby, you have been hurt too, and you’re trying to make me feel better. I really love you for that too. When are you going to see him again?” I told her, “I’m supposed to go tonight for a couple of hours so his parents can take a break. They want someone to talk to him and move his arms and legs so they won’t freeze up on him. They’re hoping that if we keep on talking to him, it will eventually make him come out of the coma.” “I know his parents are really sad about this,” replied Judy. “Yes, they are,” I said.

“Abby, some nights after we get our schedule going on our job, I’ll take you over to the hospital to be with him, and maybe we both can talk to him.” “Oh, Judy, that’s so kind of you, and I’d welcome you anytime you’re up to it. Thank you so much,” I said in a praising voice. “It’s so good to have a special friend like you, Judy.” “Hey,” she said, “if I didn’t have you as a friend, I’d be one lost girl. So now we are both even.” We then agreed we needed to go home and do our other chores so we could help our moms out before they got off work.

Chapter 20

It made me feel like shouting to see her come out of the shell she was in. She started asking what kind of shape Bobby was in. I began to tell her what we had been told by the doctor. We talked about different things all the way home, and it was a wonderful day for both of us. “Abby, have you got any plans for tomorrow?” “No,” I stated, “until late in the evening when I go to relieve Mrs. Fairfield at the hospital. Why?” “Oh, I thought I’d go get me a nice outfit to wear on my first day at work,” Judy said. “I’d love to go, but let me ask Mom and Dad if they minded me going.” “Sounds great,” she said, “I’ll talk to you in a bit. Bye.” I told her bye for now and went inside to get started with dinner like I told Mom I’d do. First thing I did was to change clothes so I wouldn’t get grease or food on them. I went through the house, singing for the first time since the accident, and it felt so good. I really felt optimistic about Bobby too. I don’t know why, all of a sudden, I knew he’d be okay. Sooner or later, Bobby was going to wake up, and I wanted to be there so my face would be one of the first ones he saw. I went downstairs to the kitchen and pulled out the potatoes and onions and started to peel them. I took out the beef and put it in a pot to let it cook while I fixed the potatoes and the onions. Then I got the carrots out and cut them up and washed a pack of mushrooms to add them later. I got a pack of beef stew mix out of the drawer and put it and the onions in the pot with the beef. Later, I had the other ingredients ready to be added to the pot. I let it cook for about two hours on a low flame so it would not burn. I baked some sweet potatoes and fixed some Brown n’ Serve Rolls. I made sure we had some tea fixed too. By the time I finished it all, I was beginning to get hungry. I looked at my watch to see how long it would be before they got home from work. It was now five o’clock, and

they should be home in about thirty minutes. So I ran to the bathroom to take a quick shower and get on my clothes so I would be ready when Mrs. Fairfield came. Sure enough, I just got dressed when Mom called out, “Abby!” “I’m coming,” I yelled. I went downstairs, and both of them were sitting down at the table. “Honey, it looks so delicious,” stated my dad. “Thanks. Go ahead and say the blessings, and I’ll get your tea fixed.” Daddy said the blessings and started to dig into the food. He said, “Honey, this is too good to be true. I’m so tired and so hungry.” Then Mom spoke up, asking me what kind of a day I did have. “It was wonderful, Mom. I got Judy to go with me, and she started to talking, and she even got a job there too. I’m so excited!” I told them about the offer she made until I get my driver’s license and used car. They thought that was so nice of her to do that. Dad then said, “Abby, when are you going to try for your license?” I told him about getting the book to study by and then going to try for them. They were excited too. “I think things are starting to look up. Don’t you?” I asked them both. “Yes, honey,” my dad spoke up. “I just hope Bobby’s parents are blessed to see some hope too.” Then Mom asked if Mrs. Fairfield was going to pick me up. “Yes,” I said in a few minutes, “and I’m going to give her a break for a couple of hours.” Then Mom said, “Abby, tomorrow and Wednesday are your last days in school for this year, so then you’ll be able to give them a break for the next four days. Then you will start your new job. I’m so glad you got one in a lawyer’s office, especially as good as you love the studies of law in your classes.” “Me too,” I sounded off. “Let me go finish changing my clothes so I won’t hold her up.”

I hurried up the stairs and changed my clothes and fixed my hair. I really tried to make myself look very nice for them both. I wanted them both to like me and be very pleased with whom their son wanted to marry. I turned and ired myself in the mirror. I had to it it to myself: I didn’t look half-bad. I got my purse and turned out my lamp and headed back downstairs. “You look so nice, Abby,” Mom said in a pleasing tone. “Someone’s at the door,” Dad called out. “All right,” I answered.

Chapter 21

I opened the door, and Mrs. Fairfield stood there smiling so sweetly. “Are you ready, sweetie?” “Yes, ma’am,” I replied. Then she shook Dad’s hand and gave Mom a gentle hug and told them she’d look out for me. When we got in the car, she turned to me and said, “Abby, you are such a blessing to me and Robert.” I told her I was glad to do this too because I truly loved Bobby. “I know,” she said. Then I told her the next Monday I started my new job at the law office of Doolittle and Farnesworth. She sounded so happy for me, and then I told her I only had two more days of school left and then I could give her a bigger break on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. After that, I could do a couple at nights after I got off work. “Oh, honey, thank you for what you can do,” she said, taking my hand in a warm gesture. It seemed like this was the quickest ride to the hospital I had. I guess because we talked a lot, and time just flew. She pulled into the parking place, and we got out, then she locked the doors. “Abby, honey, we’ve been talking to him as if he was hearing everything we said. The doctor said in most cases, they hear you, so if you speak positive to him, it may cause him to come out of it. You never know.” I assured her I would do my very best with helping him move his limbs and talk away to him. “I miss hearing him talk to me.” “I’m sure you do,” she said. We finally got to his room and walked in. He was still in the same way as when I saw him last. They had moved him to another room though. Mrs. Fairfield said

they were going to take him to rehab as soon as he came out of the coma. I told her to go on home and try to rest a few minutes and maybe take a bath. She hugged my neck and said she’d be back in a little while.

Chapter 22

I went around the side of the bed to get a little closer to him and kissed his face. “I’m here, baby. I am going to keep you company as much as I can each day. I can’t thank God enough for sparing you, my darling. I love you, Bobby.” I took his hand in mine and just kissed it. Then I raised his arms and moved them around and did that a few times, and then I took one leg out from under the sheets and started to bend it and move it up and down until I counted to ten, then I went to the other side and took the other leg out and did the same to it ten times. The nurse came in and checked his vital signs. I told her what I had been doing, and she said that was great. He needed to keep his body moving so his blood would flow through his veins, and in most cases, it helped a person heal a lot faster. I asked her if I could give him a sponge bath except for his bottom. She laughed and said, “That would be fine.” So I got the wash pan out of the closet, and the nurse brought me some washcloths and towels. I then got some good warm water and started wiping his face and neck, and I’d kiss his neck and his ear and whisper in them how much I loved him. When I got through with the top part, I took his legs out and wiped them down too. I dried them and moved them again and put them back under the sheets. When I had finished, the nurse came in and checked his bag on the side of the bed where he was urinating in. She said he had wet some on his bed and needed to change the pad under him. “Can I help you in some way?” I ask. “Maybe you can, if you want to. You get to his back and sort of push him toward me.” I did, and she pulled him more over to her and told me to go around to her and motioned for me to grab him just like she was holding him. “Okay,” I said. Then she went back around to the other side and pulled the pad out from under

him and pushed a clean one back under Bobby. “Now,” she said, “ease him back to me.” Then she pushed the nurse’s light for assistance. An older-looking nurse came in and told me I could move now long enough to get him back up in his bed again. I backed off. They both introduced themselves. “I am Margie,” said the regular nurse, “and this helpful nurse is June.” I told them my name and that I was his girlfriend. They said that was so touching. They turned around and said, “Call us if you need anything.” I told them I would and said thanks. After they left, I brushed his hair and kept touching his face in a gentle movement. I loved being able to caress him, just letting him feel my love in little things. If the doctors were right, then I’d do what it takes to help him know it was me, and the love we have for each other should help him to come around. I sat beside him and kept telling him about my new job and about me studying for my driver’s license so I could get me a car and be able to come more often to see him. Each time, I’d get up and kiss his cheek and tell him how good he felt. I started getting sort of sleepy, and I noticed it was almost time for his mom to come back to get me. Not long after I was done, I was tired. I could only imagine what it was doing to them. I had brought my book to study some on my license, and I figured this was as much as I could get done right now. I looked up, and Mrs. Fairfield was smiling at me. “Are you tired?” she asked. “Well, a little,” I lied. “The nurse told me what you had done for him tonight, and I love you for doing that.” I told her I didn’t wash his bottom though. She laughed and said, “The nurses will do that.” We went on out to the car, and she took me home. I told her thank you, and she said she’d see me tomorrow. I told her okay. When I got in, Mom asked how he was, and I told them how it was sitting with him and talking to him and washing his face and arms, and I left out some of the

details because I knew they would frown on it. Mom said, “Well, hurry up and get in bed, honey, ’cause it’s late.” I told her, “I know.” When I got under my sheets, I don’t even think I turned over all night. It felt so good. I had a wonderful day, and I got to stay right by myself with my darling and touch him and kiss him all I wanted.

Chapter 23

Hummm. The alarm sounded off, and I threw my legs over the side of my bed in a movement to get up. Gosh, I hated to get up. I stretched my arms and legs and rubbed my legs to massage them. They really felt sore, and I knew part of that was being on them last night at the hospital, going back and forth doing the exercise with Bobby. Oh well, I would do it again just to help my darling get better. I know in my heart he’s going to get better. I know I’d better get a move on or else I was going to be late for school. I jumped in the shower, and it felt so good feeling the warm water running down my back. To me, this was a therapy soothing the tired muscles. I finally, reluctantly, turned off the water and got out and dried off. I tied the towel around me and went to the closet to look for something to wear. I pulled out a pair of white capris and a mint green blouse. I slipped on the blouse and pulled up the capris and got in front of the mirror to see how I looked. Hummm, not bad. No, not at all. After I brushed my hair and tied it back with a ponytail band, I sprayed some perfume on me and looked around for my sandals. There they were under my TV table. I looked at my watch to see it was seven twenty, so I hurried down to the kitchen to get me something to eat. Cereal, that sounds pretty good. Then I fixed a slice of toast and a glass of orange juice. In just a few minutes, I ate and cleaned up my mess, and I heard a horn blow. I grabbed my purse and opened the door. This was a lovely sight to see! Judy, smiling so big. “Hello, girl,” I shouted. “Come on, girlfriend, or we’ll be late!” I missed some of the steps and ran to the car. Oh my, this is like a new beginning. Judy broke the silence by asking me about my driver’s license book and if I had studied it any. I told her I was sorry to say no. “I really have not had a free moment to study. I’ve got to make time because I need this very badly.” “Yes, you do,” she stated. “Abby, why don’t I help you by quizzing you on the book?”

“Hey, that’s a great idea! Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?” I asked “Silly,” she added, “do you think I would have asked you if I did?” “Okay, then it’s a deal. I’ll read it this afternoon, and tomorrow afternoon, you can quiz me. How’s that?” I asked. Judy parked the car, and we went inside, and we knew it would be a piece of cake, these last two days. They let the eleventh-graders out at one o’clock today, so I walked outside to look for Judy, and I just waited for a couple of minutes before she came down the hall. A lot of the kids in my class, and Judy’s too, showed a lot of sympathy for what happened to Jimmy and Bobby. Then Judy broke my thoughts by calling out to me and saying, “You ready?” “Yes, sir!” We got in the car and pulled out on the road. “Where to, miss?” Judy pleaded. “Let’s go to my house and study my book. Do you mind that?” I asked “Oh, heck no. I don’t mind at all,” she said. When we got to my house, we jumped out and went inside and straight to the fridge. We found us a Hot Pocket of Ham & Cheese and a soda. We were set now. I got in the recliner, and Judy got on the sofa. We scoffed down our Hot Pockets and kept sipping on the soda. Judy then picked up the driver’s manual and started to quiz me on the road signs. I could guess most of them, but some I didn’t have the faintest idea. Anyway, she let me look at the ones I missed and then made me draw a picture of the ones I missed. We laughed a lot on some of the answers I gave. Gosh, some I had never heard of. Then about four o’clock, I told her I had to fix supper so they would not object to me going to the hospital to see Bobby. “Hey,” Judy said, “how about me going with you tonight? Or would you rather I didn’t?” “Oh no, I don’t mind a bit,” I lied. I really loved the time all to myself. I guess I was selfish when it came to Bobby. “Well,” Judy said, “let me go home and fix Mom and Dad something to eat too.

I’ll be back about six thirty to pick you up, okay?” “Sure,” I said. So we said our good-byes, and I went back in the kitchen to start my meal. I found some pork chops Mom left out to thaw. Then we had some brussels sprouts and buttered rice and dinner rolls. I sliced a tomato up. I looked at my watch again, and it was five twenty-five—it was time for Mom and Dad to come in. When I looked at the meal on the table, my heart swelled with pride to know I actually fixed it by myself. My mom taught me a lot about cooking and taking care of a house. Naturally, I didn’t want to do any of it, being a child, but with Mom, you did as she said, or you knew what was coming next. That didn’t mean kisses either. I heard the door open and my name called. “Mom, Dad, is that you?” I asked. “Yes, honey,” they answered back. “Well! Well!” shouted Dad. “Mama, what do we have here?” he asked. “Yummy,” Mom chirped. They both went to wash up for dinner and bragged over it the whole time. Was I proud of it? You bet I was! We all set down and started to the food and dive right in it. All of a sudden, we heard the door open, and we couldn’t figure out who it could be. “Hey! Anybody home?” We knew his voice. It was Eric, my brother. Dad yelled, “Hey, son! You’re just in time. Pull out a chair, and Mom will get you a plate and glass of tea.” Eric made a big smile and said, “I knew I picked the best time to visit.” We all laughed and talked about what was going on and what had happened. Eric looked at me and said, “I’m sorry to hear that, sis. How is Judy coping with her loss?”

I told him in short how she had been and getting a job and how she seemed to be a little more talkative. He said he had to come home for some more of his clothes because he was trying to be conservative about spending money. I tried to fill him in on Bobby and what me and his parents were doing to help him come out of the coma. “Man, you guys have really been through a lot since I’ve been gone.” Then I asked Eric how long he was going to be here. “Sis, I’ve got to leave early in the morning ’cause I need to be back in time to be on my job at 8:00 a.m.” I told him I had to go get changed to go up to the hospital to relieve Mrs. Fairfield for a couple of hours. “Oh my gosh! I forgot to let her know I’ve got a ride with Judy tonight. Let me go call her.” I hugged Eric and hurried upstairs. I changed clothes real quick and went back down to the living room. They were sitting around, chattering about Eric’s job and his buddies. Eric told them he had someone he wanted them to meet when he could get a weekend off. Mom, of course, said, “What’s her name?” Eric just laughed and said, “That’s just like a woman, so nosy.” “Oh, honey, don’t tease your mama.” “You’ll see when I bring her down,” he said. A horn sounded outside, so I jumped up to see if it was Judy. Eric asked, “Whatcha doing, sis?” “Gotta go, bud. Judy’s taking me to the hospital.” “Oh,” he replied. I hugged Eric again and kissed his cheek. “Can’t wait to see the mystery lady, bud. Later okay?”

“See ya, sis. Love you!” he yelled. “Love you too,” I called back. Dad called out to me and said, “Hurry home, Abby!” “I will,” I called back. Eric came behind me and walked around to Judy’s side of the car and told her how sorry he was and told her to hang in there because things would get better even though right now she didn’t think so. He gave her a hug and told her he was there if she needed a friend. “Thank you, Eric. That means a lot to me.” Then we backed out to get on the road. “I think Eric is so good-looking,” Judy said. “Yeah, I think so too.” We headed on to the hospital.

Chapter 24

The parking lot was full, so we drove around to find a place to park. “Judy! There is a spot over by the tree.” Then I realized it was where we parked our vehicle when we met Jimmy and Bobby to sneak around. We both looked at each other and started to cry. We hugged each other, trying to comfort each other. After we cried a little, we got out and went in the hospital. I called Mrs. Fairfield on my cell phone to let her know I was down in the lobby, going up to his room. She sighed with a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much, Abby. Come on up.” So we went on up, and the nurse who was going in his room told us to give her one moment to let her check his urine bag and empty it and change his pad under him. I nodded my head okay. I didn’t know how Judy would take it to go in and see Bobby because it would be a great reminder of Jimmy. For one thing, they were best of friends, and when she’d look at Bobby, this would be hard for her, I’m sure. I took Judy’s hand and asked her, “Are you sure you can handle this?” She nodded her head yes. “Well,” I said, “the nurse just gave me the okay to go in.” So we walked in and I went to the back of his bed, and Judy got on the other side. Mrs. Fairfield hugged my neck and then Judy’s and told us she was so tired, so she was going home and she’d see me tomorrow. I told her good night and leaned over to Bobby’s head and told him hello and I was there to stay with him for a while. Then I whispered in his ear that I loved him with all my heart. Judy said, “What do you want me to do to help?” “Okay,” I said, “you take his left arm, move it up and down, then side to side, then bend it. Do this for ten times.”

While she did that I started getting some water in a pan and got a razor and some shaving lather because he needed a shave badly. I had shaved my dad on several occasions, so I was okay with this part. “Judy, when you do that side, come around on this side and do this one, and I’ll go to that side and wash that arm and put deodorant under his arms.” “Gotcha,” she said in a cheerful tone. “When you get to his legs, watch it how you push the sheet back,” I said, joking, and laughed. Judy looked over at me and said, “Are you crazy?” Then she started to laugh. We had a wonderful time doing therapy and bathing Bobby, and time flew so fast. I pressed the nurses’ call light and told her we had washed him and did his therapy, so if she could, he needed his bottom washed and cleaned up. “I’ll be right in, honey,” she replied back. It wasn’t but just a minute she was in with some more washcloths and soaps. “Okay, you angels can go get a soda while I take care of this young man.” “That sounds great,” I told her back, “because we’ve worked up a sweat.” She laughed. “It’s a lot harder than people know, huh?” Judy called back to the nurse and said, “You’re telling me. Whew!” We went down to the snack bar and got us a candy bar and a soda and then sat back and enjoyed it. I told Judy I wouldn’t take anything for this time we had together because it was good as therapy for both of us as well as for Bobby. “Well, girl, guess what?” She looked up at me and asked, “What?” “Tomorrow is the last day. Thank you, Lord,” I said. “Oh yeah,” she answered. “Plus,” she said, “it’s only for half a day. Doesn’t that sound even better?”

“It’s a good thing, Judy, because neither one of us will feel like you know what tomorrow after tonight.” “That’s okay,” she said, “I don’t care. I’m really enjoying it.” By the time we finished our soda and candy, a lady came over and said the nurse was finished with the patient and we could go on back to his room. We thanked her and headed down the hall back to his room. When we went in, she thanked us for what we were doing because it helped them out too. “You’re welcome,” we told her in return. Judy spoke to Bobby, telling him he was looking good as always and she was glad to see him. We each had one of his hands, holding them and rubbing them. I told him he had to hurry up and get out of this bed; his vacation time was up. He couldn’t buy us a house, lying here in this bed. “Maybe you can have us one by the time I finish the twelfth grade.” Judy and I got to talking about our new jobs that we were going to start next Monday and what we were going to be doing. I told her he wanted me to do some typing on legal papers for court summons. Judy said he was going to pull out folders for her to do some scanning for errors because the last girl that was doing it left a whole stack of them to do. “Well,” she said, “it will definitely keep us busy, so time will just zoom by.” “You’re right,” I told her. “Guess what?” I said. She said, “What?” “It’s nine o’clock. Time for us to go home.” I leaned over and kissed Bobby on his cheek and told him again I loved him. Judy took his hand and said, “Well, Bobby, it’s time for me and Abby to go home for now, so you hurry up and get it together because somebody else needs this bed. You hear?” We just smiled at each other and left the hospital to go to the car. All the way to my house, we just made small talk and made plans for work next week.

Judy pulled up in my driveway, and I got out and told her again how much I enjoyed tonight. “Me too,” she said. “I’ll call you later, or I’ll see you in the morning.” I turned and ran up the walk into the house. There was Mom brushing her hair, saying, “Honey, you’re tired.” “I know.” I assured her she was so right. “Well, go on to your room and get ready for bed ’cause that alarm goes off bright and early.” “Good night, Mom.” “Good night, sweetie. I’m going to get in my bed ’cause it’s been a long day.”

Chapter 25

Buzzzzzzzzzzz! “Darn that clock,” I said as I cut it off. I started my routine for the last time for school. I got right in the shower and washed as quick as I could. I got some jeans out and a pullover and was ready to go faster than usual. I went to the kitchen and fixed me some bacon and eggs and toast. For some reason, I was hungry. By the time I finished eating, Judy was outside, blowing the horn. I grabbed my purse and headed out to the car. “Aren’t you so glad today is it? Thank you, Jesus!” I yelled. This was a very fast day because it was more about getting all your stuff and cleaning things up for the next year. Well, all I could think of was finally one more year to go. Reality came to life because I knew now I had to show an adult side of me so my family would not look at me as a teenager. I knew more facts about life and being a woman than they could imagine. Oh yes, I found out the fast way, and when you do, there is no turning back. My friend, Judy, learned the hard way of becoming a young woman fast too. I look at these boys and girls walking around on the school grounds; some were still innocent and some were too mature. They are in a crowd that wants to make you prove something to others, so you take that dare. Crazy, huh? You know when you read this, you’ve probably done some crazy things too. Today I was going to hurry and go up to the hospital and try to see what kind of a difference I could make with Bobby. We fell in love, and like most boys’, his hormones were ready for anything. We girls fall hard and are so afraid we’ll lose him, we do the forbidden. Do we think about what we’ve just done? Yes, we do. Only after the damage has been done and we can’t undo it. I’ve grown a lot in the last two months since school was out. I’d been going up to the hospital each night and working on my job during the day. By the way, I really love my job. Judy was having a great time with her job too. She had been to lunch with her boss three times, and she said he was so cool. It made me feel so good to see her move on. I’m so tired at night that I fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow. Tomorrow is Saturday, thank God! I’m going to sleep in, at least until about ten o’clock. Monday, I’m going to try for my license. Judy’s going to take

me on our lunchtime. So for now, I was going to say my prayers and turn out the light for a wonderful dream, I hope. You know how that goes. Maybe.

Chapter 26

Oh gosh, this felt so good just lying here that I hated to get up. The sun was shining through the blinds. The room was lit up like I had a lamp on. Made you feel good to wake up to such a beauty as this, so I got up and went down to fix me a bite to eat. Ooh, I felt sort of yucky. I didn’t know if I was getting a bug or not. Anyway, I ate and decided I’d clean up some for Mom ’cause I knew she was tired too. After I got started vacuuming and cleaning stuff off the tables, we casually sat around while watching TV at night and left everything till morning. I thought the food I ate was going to make me sick in spite of everything I did. I ran upstairs and went to my bathroom so I wouldn’t wake Mom up. I could feel the hot water coming up in my mouth, so I got a cold washcloth and laid it across my bed and put it on my head. I just stayed there for about twenty minutes. Finally, I thought I felt better, so I was going to try again. I knew I didn’t want to catch a virus because it would keep me from going up to see Bobby, and I had to go. His parents were exhausted as much as me. The doctor always kept telling us he was doing great. All his vital signs were excellent. Each day we kept saying, “Come on, Bobby, try to open your eyes so you’ll see us, please.” I started cleaning up again so I could hurry and go see him. I strove every day to make it up to that hospital for him. By the time I finished doing the house chores, I saw I needed to get in the shower and get dressed before Judy came. I took a cool shower so it might help me feel better. When I got out of the shower, I got the towel and started to dry off while looking at myself in the mirror. Gosh, I have been putting on some weight from my job and going to the hospital. I’ve got to stop that, and I mean now! Bobby would wake up and not be pleased with me if I started getting fat. When I went in the closet and looked for something to wear, I ended up getting a pair of sweat pants and a pullover shirt. Now this was not cool or funny. Judy came and Mom let her in so she came up to my room. “Hey, girl. What’s taking you so long to get ready?” I told her I’ve been looking for something that would fit. “Why?” she asked.

“Because since we’ve started working and eating out every day and then going up to the hospital and eating there, I have put on some weight. So today I’m going to start watching what I eat.” “Yeah right,” she said. “As good as you love to eat, fat chance.” Then she laughed. “Gosh, Judy, that’s not funny!” “I know,” she said, “So come on, let’s go.” “Wait a minute,” I told Judy. “I’ve got some more money to give you for gas.” “Okay,” she said, “because the needle is almost on empty.” “Thank you so much, Judy. I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been the best friend anyone could have. In fact, you seem more like my sister than just a friend.” “Okay, let’s stop all that praise. You’ll pay for it.” And she turned around and laughed. I went down to tell Mom we were leaving and gave her a hug. “Don’t stay too long today, will you? I don’t get to spend much time with you, and I miss it.” I promised her I wouldn’t ’cause I needed some time to rest too. After we got in the car, Judy told me she wasn’t going up with me this time because she had a date with her boss, and she wanted to go find something nice to wear. I told her that would be okay and I would be all right, even though I enjoyed her company. I got out and watched her drive away.

Chapter 27

I walked through the hospital doors, and I was really getting burned out looking at these two-tone green walls. In all the processes, they moved him up to another floor. His mother was still there, and I noticed she was dozing in the recliner. I touched her arm and called her name softly so as not to scare her. She looked up at me and said, “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I must have fallen asleep.” “Don’t worry,” I told her. “I get that way myself sometimes. You’re just tired. That is what’s wrong with you and Mr. Fairfield too. Go on home now and get some rest. I’ll stay the rest of the day.” “Oh, Abby, what in the world would we do without you,” she said in a small voice. After she left, I walked over to see how the love of my life was doing. I noticed his color was real good, and he was breathing like he was asleep and resting good. So I’m thinking, What is keeping him from waking up? Why can we not reach him? I touched his face and then kissed him gently on his lips. “I miss you, Bobby. Please open your eyes and let me see those beautiful eyes.” Then I whispered in his ear how much I loved him and needed him. Then I started his therapy. I took his left arm and started moving it up and down and bending it ten times each and then moved to his right arm. I moved on down to his legs and started to move them out from under the spread. His legs were so heavy because he wasn’t awake and wasn’t able to help me lift them. By the time I finished doing his legs, I gave out. I sat down for a few minutes and rested before I got the water and washcloths to wash him down. All of a sudden, I felt so sick to my stomach. I knew I had to hurry to the bathroom or else. I thought if the nurse was to see me, she would make me go home, so I got myself together and washed my face with a cold washcloth. I’ll shave him first, I said to myself. All the time I was shaving his face, I kept talking to him. His hand touched my side, and I thought it was because I was shaking him from

washing his face. I moved the washcloth and looked at his face and started to talk to him again. “Honey, please look at me. I really need you. Come on,” I said in a persistent way. “I’m so tired, and so are your parents. You know you can hear me, can’t you?” I changed the water and got more washcloths. When I got over to his bed, I picked up his arm and started washing it. I went under his arms to wash it, and it felt as if he pulled down on his arm. I thought to myself, What are you doing? So I went to the other side and started to wash it. As I raised his arm and went under it, I felt a pull on it. Then I thought, Don’t do this, Abby. You want it so much that you’re imagining him moving it. I moved on down to his legs and soaped his leg down. When I started to wash the soap off his leg, I saw his foot move. I knew I had seen it, but I was not sure if it was fatigue making me do this. Then I took his other leg and soaped it down. When I was doing the bottom of his foot, he jerked it back. Oh my gosh! I did see it move! I called for the nurse, and she came running down the hall and asked what was wrong. I started to cry, and I pointed to his legs and told her he moved them and then jerked his foot back when I tried to wash off the soap. She called for help and asked me to step out of the room for a few minutes. So I went out in the hall and sat down in a chair. In just a few minutes, the nurse told me to go there. So I hurried back in and went to his bedside. He was looking around, and the nurse asked him, “Bobby, do you recognize this young lady?” He looked at me and held his hand out to me. “Abby, come here,” he said. I was so excited that I cried. It took but a few minutes before I felt like I was going to faint. The nurse saw it and told me to sit down and put my head down between my knees. I was so embarrassed. She told me, “Don’t let this worry you, because I know you and his parents are worn out.” I told Bobby later that I had to call his mom and let her know the wonderful news. He told me to go to him first and put his arms around my shoulders and kissed me. “I love you, Abby. Was I dreaming, or did I ask you to marry me?” “You did, my love, and I said yes!”

“Oh, I am so blessed,” he said. “Okay, go tell Mom and Dad.” I said, “Bobby, there’s one thing I need to tell you.” “What?” he asked. “Well, I never told my parents about the ring you gave me because of the accident and so much going on. I didn’t think it was a good time to tell them.” “It’s okay, honey. We can tell them later.”

Chapter 28

This was the most exciting day of my life. I picked up the telephone and dialed Bobby’s home number. It started to ring, ring, ring. I thought, I bet they are sound asleep. They were so tired. I let it still ring ’cause I knew they would be so happy to hear some good news for a change. “Hello,” I heard a sleepy voice answer. “Who is this?” she called. “Mrs. Fairfield, it’s me, Abby.” “Oh, hey, honey. Is anything wrong?” “No, ma’am, everything is right. Here is someone who wants to talk to you.” I handed the telephone to Bobby. “Mom,” he said, “it’s me, Bobby.” I could hear her scream through the phone. They talked a few minutes, and I heard him say, “Mom, I’ve got to put the phone down. My arm is giving out. All right, I’ll see you in a few minutes.” He held out his hand to me, and I went right into it. I lay beside him and just whispered, “Thank you, God.” He had his arms around me, just lying there. Then someone came in and turned on the overhead lights. I heard a man say, “He’s not doing too bad. Look how fast he’s recovering.” I sat up and got off the bed. “Bobby, I’m Dr. Boyd. Bud, you’ve been through an ordeal. Let’s check you out and see how you are.” I told Bobby I was going out in the hall to call my parents. He nodded okay. When I got in the hall, I called Mom and Dad and told them what was going on and the good news. She sounded like she was excited too.

“I’ll tell your dad. When do you think you’ll be ready to come home?” she asked. “Not long, Mom. I’m waiting for his parents to get here now. The doctor is checking his vital signs and making sure he’s okay.” “All right,” she said. “You’ve got your key to get in?” I told her I did and said good night. I stood up and started to walk around, wondering how long the doctor was going to be in his room. I heard someone call my name, and I turned around to see the doctor standing in the doorway. “You can come in now,” he said. “I’m finished giving him a onceover,” he said with a soft laugh. I heard his mom calling me from down the hall, so I told the doctor that there were his parents coming down the hall. Dr. Boyd waited for them to get here. I went in the room while Dr. Boyd talked to Mr. Fairfield and his wife. I told Bobby his parents were outside, talking to Dr. Boyd. He said, “Oh yeah. Then you come here before they get in here.” I gladly went right in his arms. I just felt like heaven had opened up and surrounded me with warmth and love overflowing. We kissed and held each other so tight. Then I heard someone say, “Hey, bud, don’t let your heart get too excited,” while chuckling at the same time. I stood back, and his dad grabbed him and just cried and held him close, telling him, “Welcome home, son! I love you.” Bobby, crying said, “I love you too, Dad.” His mom was waiting patiently. After his dad let go of him, she came over and broke down, crying, and started kissing his face and wrapping her arms around her son. It was a very emotional time for all three of us. They started telling him how I had been there every night to relieve them so they could take a rest and how much it meant to them. I told Bobby it was my pleasure to do it. After about an hour, the nurse told us we needed to let him get some sleep because this was a very stressful time for him too. We agreed and said our good-byes.

Chapter 29

Morning came, and I saw the rays of sunlight coming through the blinds, telling me it was time for me to start a move. I sat up in the bed and called Judy to tell her about the good news. She was so excited to hear it and had to tell me about her date, which was fabulous. They had a great evening and sounded like maybe more might be coming. “Judy, I’m so proud of you. Love you, girl.” She replied back, “Love you too.” Afterward, I got up and headed for the shower and felt like I was going to faint. So I went over to the commode and sat down. I got another washcloth and washed my face with it till I felt better, thinking to myself, Now that all this is over, I should start feeling better. So I finished getting dressed and went downstairs for a bite to eat. The phone rang, and it was Mom checking on me to see if I was all right. “I will be, Mom, now that this is over. I think I just had too much on my plate, and it was getting the best of me.” “What do you mean, Abby. How were you feeling?” I told her about being sick a couple of times and almost fainting twice. Then Mom said, “If you’re not better in a couple of days, you might need to go see the doctor.” I told her okay. I got busy and cleaned up the bedrooms and kitchen and vacuumed real quick. It was Friday, and I needed to call Judy to come and pick me up. Then I heard her familiar horn blow. I ran outside and got in the car and was bubbling over with news. Then I felt sick again. “What’s wrong, Abby?” Then I told her what’s been happening for the last couple of days.

Then she asked, “Abby, are you late on your monthly cycle?” I stopped still, and I was in shock! Oh my gosh, when did I have the last one? How could I have been so occupied that I didn’t notice nature that comes like clockwork? When I finally figured it out, it had been about three months. Judy said, “Now you know why your clothes won’t fit.” I was in a trance, trying to figure out what to do next. How could I have been so busy not to pay attention to my own body? But I what Bobby said about being sure and well protected. How can I tell my mom and dad I lied to them? How will Bobby take this now after what he’s just been through? Judy spoke up and broke my train of thoughts. “Abby, where are you right now in your mind?” “Judy, I can’t believe I let myself get in this kind of a mess. I’ve got to go to the doctor to find out if it’s true or something else.” “Okay, then call your doctor right now and set your appointment. The sooner the better,” Judy boasted. “All right, I’ll do it right now.” So I called directory assistance to get the number. Later, I called Dr. Williams’s office to see when I could get an appointment. The receptionist said they could see me tomorrow afternoon at two forty-five. I told her, “Thank you, and I’ll see you then.” Judy said, “I’ll take you so you won’t have to let your parents know until you know for sure.” I told her how much I appreciated her. There was no doubt right now I was completely at my wits’ end. We went on up to the hospital to see Bobby and how he was feeling today. His mom was sitting by his bed, and Bobby was sitting straight up in his bed, looking absolutely wonderful. His mom came over and hugged me, and she always made me feel so welcome. I asked Bobby if he was getting ready to bust out of this hospital. “Come here, girl, and give me a hug.” Holding out his arms to me, I walked right in with pleasure. “Judy, come on over here, and let me get a hug from you too.”

So we all had a good time for a while, laughing and filling him in on what had happened in the last three months. His mom went on home for a while. Judy then told me she had to go run some errands for her mom so she would be back in a little while. I told her I’d call her if there was anything changed, so she said okay.

Chapter 30

After she left, Bobby told me to go over to him ’cause I was too far away. I got on the side of his bed and curled up in his arms. He told me how much he wanted to hold me and love me for all I did, helping his parents take good care of him. I checked how he sounded and how strong his body was so I would know if now was a good time to break the news to him. “Honey,” he asked, “what’s wrong? I can tell something is bothering you. Look at me.” So I got up and turned around. “Oh, Bobby, I cannot tell you how I have been so dumb about myself not to have seen the signs. I am three months late on my monthly cycle. I’ve been so tired at night, trying to make sure my parents were happy with me, and I was helping them too. Then finishing the school for this year. I got a book to study for my license, and I got a job that starts Monday, and coming up here each night to look out for you and give your parents a break, I never once thought of being late or even having one.” Bobby grabbed me and kissed me and held me so tight until I broke down and cried so hard. I guess this was my breaking point. I had been needing one for a long time. Bobby took my face in his hands and looked in my eyes and said, “Honey, don’t worry because we are going to fix this and make it all right and legal. When do you go to the doctor?” I told him it was tomorrow. “Okay, now I’ve got some more good news for you.” I turned and looked at him and asked, “What?” “I’m going home tomorrow.” “What?” I screamed “Yes, baby, I am. And I’m going with my baby to the doctor.” I was so happy I just couldn’t hold the tears back.

“Are you sure you are okay and in good health?” “I’m sure,” he said. So the rest of the day, we just made plans for our future. I told him not to let anyone know about it until I had a chance to let my parents know. We sat and enjoyed the afternoon and held each other to make up for all the lost time. I called Judy to pick me up after his parents and brother and some more of his relatives came. I told him I’d see him tomorrow. He called out to tell me he loved me. I said, “Love you too.” I was sort of embarrassed to say that in front of his people. “Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow. Do you hear me, Abby?” I called back, “Yes, I’ll be looking for you.” Judy and I walked out, and she was bursting at the seams to find out if I told him. “Yes, I did, and he was just wonderful about it, and all I could do was cry. I’ve just stayed so busy until I felt like I was falling apart.” Judy looked at me before she started the car and said, “Abby, you’ve been the strong one for so long, it’s time you let someone else be the strength behind you. You were there for me through all I’ve been through, and I really love you for being the best friend a girl could have. So let’s go and get a burger and soda. How’s that sound to you?” I was so hungry, but I hated to ask anything else from her. So we sat back and headed for Sonic drive-in. The food was so good. For some reason, it seemed to be better than usual. Afterward, she took me home, and she told me she’d pick me up after lunch to go to the doctor. “Okay,” I said, “see you then, and thanks again for everything.” “You bet,” she called back to me.

I went on in the house, and Mom called to me to go to their bedroom door. I stood in the doorway and told them how he was doing and I was so glad because he was going home tomorrow. Dad said, “I’m so glad for you and his parents. Now you can all get some rest, especially before you start your new job.” “I know,” I said. “I am so tired now I feel silly.” Mom said, “Honey, go on up and take a shower and get in the bed. Feeling clean will make you rest so much better.” “All right. Good night to you both, and I love you.” “Love you too,” they both replied back. After I got out of the shower, I was so relaxed I knew it wouldn’t take me long to go to sleep. Oh my, the sheets felt so good. Hummm, sleep.

Chapter 31

I woke up feeling like I was going to throw up, so I got up and went to the bathroom and washed my face and fanned my face till I felt it go away. It was only nine thirty, so I got right back in bed and pulled up the sheet again. Then I slept till eleven thirty. I rolled over and made an effort to get up again. This time, I didn’t feel like I did before. I cleaned up my room and went down to my parents’ room and cleaned it up. I walked in the kitchen and fixed me some grits and bacon, and I thought some toast would be good with this breakfast. Boy, was it good. I ate every last bit of it. Then I tackled cleaning the kitchen up, and I figured I might just as well wash a couple of loads of clothes before I went to get ready for my appointment. After I made sure everything was done, I went up to my bedroom to get in the shower. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my stomach was not as flat as it usually was. I just shook my head and got my clothes out and started trying on one after the other till I found something that was loose. Was I ever in a mess? One thing was sure: I could blame no one but me. About that time, the phone rang and almost scared me out of my skin. “Hello, beautiful!” It was Bobby. “What are you doing?” he asked. “Well, I just finished taking a shower and going through my closet to find something that was not so revealing.” “Don’t worry, honey, it’s going to be all right. Trust me.” “Okay,” I said. Then he spoke up and said, “When Judy picks you up, come on by and pick me up. Okay?” I told him, “Yes, I’ll see you in about forty-five minutes.” He hung up, and I fixed my hair and put on some makeup. Tried to look as good as I could so Bobby would think I was still pretty to him. Time seemed to fly. I heard Judy’s horn blow, so I went out to the car. When I got inside, I told her Bobby had called and wanted her to pick him up so he could go to the doctor

with us. “Okay,” she said, “let’s go get it over with.” I was so nervous I could hardly stand it. While Judy parked the car, I ed in and sat down with Bobby. We hadn’t been in the waiting area for fifteen minutes when they called me back. I told the doctor why I came, so he told me to get undressed and that he’d be back. When he came back, the nurse had me on the table with my feet in these footrest things. I asked her what these were for. She told me it was because the doctor was going to do a pelvic exam. I thought, Oh no. Not that. When I heard Dr. Williams come in, he started to tell me what he was going to do. I just covered my face with my arm and didn’t say anything. I asked him if my fiancé could come back when he talked to me about the prognosis. “Sure he can, Abby. I’m glad he wants to.” When he finished, he told me to get dressed and go to his office. I said okay. I got off the table and put my clothes on, and I told the nurse to tell my best friend to go in too. “Whatever you want, honey.” She left the room. When she came back, she showed me across the hall to his office. Bobby and Judy were already in there, waiting. Then Dr. Williams came in and shook Bobby’s hand and then Judy’s. He looked over to me and said, “Well, young lady, you are almost four months.” “Oh my gosh, that far?” “Yep,” he said. I told him how Bobby had just come out of a coma for a little over three months. Then he asked Bobby what brought that on, and Bobby told him what happened. “Well, sir, you are a very lucky man is all I can tell you. Abby, what is your intention about this baby?” Bobby spoke up and said, “Doctor, I’m going to step up to the plate and marry her, and we’ll make a home for our little one. We know it’s our own actions that

caused this, so we take full responsibility.” Dr. Williams said, “Young man, I’m proud of you. There’s not a lot of young men that will step up and take care of their own deeds that they have done. Abby, we’ll set you up in the next two weeks to do an ultrasound to find out what gender it’s going to be.” I told him okay, and we signed out and got back in the car. We all took a big sigh of relief, and then Bobby said, “You know, we have to tell our parents. I don’t think my parents will be too upset. I know they would like for it to be a different way, but it’s too late now.” I told him, “I know. I really hate to tell mine because they trusted me so, and they asked me point-blank had I done the same thing that Judy had, and I lied. I said I didn’t. That goes to show you a lie will catch you every time.” Judy spoke up and said, “Just look at it this way, you’re both so blessed. Bobby pulled through. You’re going to have a blessing not planned, and everyone is healthy and living. What more could you ask for?” “Judy, you are so right. Thanks for making us see,” I told her. She took us over to Bobby’s house so we could get it over with, and later, we would go back to my house. We pulled up in front of his house and got out. I leaned over and hugged Judy and told her I’d call her when it was over. She said okay and left. I looked at Bobby and told him, “Let’s get it over with.” “Okay,” he said.

Chapter 32

Inside the house was so quiet, and we wondered where they were. Everything was so neat and clean. Mrs. Fairfield was a very neat lady and with perfection about her. Bobby called out, “Mom! Where are you?” Then we heard her call back, “Bobby, is that you?” “Yes, Mom, it’s me and Abby.” We went in the living room and took a seat. She came in and gave us both a hug and sat down. “How did you guys get here?” He told her about Judy taking us home, and later, he wanted her to take me home. “Sure, you know I will. Just let me know when. Okay?” I nodded my head yes. “Mom, we have something to tell you, and I thought Dad would be here too. Where is he?” “He had to work late this afternoon, honey. What’s wrong?” “We really messed up sometime ago. I really can’t blame nobody but me.” “Honey, you’re scaring me. What is wrong?” “Mom, Abby is almost four months pregnant.” She backed up on her seat and just looked for a minute. “When did you find out?” she asked.

“That’s what we’ve done today. She kept getting sick and almost fainted three different times.” Then I spoke up and said, “I’m so sorry I didn’t keep a closer check on myself than I should have. I’ve been trying to make my parents happy with me so they wouldn’t stop me from going up to the hospital to see Bobby and do my work at home and finish my school plus look for a job. I absolutely didn’t think of nothing else.” Then Mrs. Fairfield said, “Honey, I know this is done the wrong way, but I’m so proud of you for the way you’ve handled yourself, and you couldn’t have been more mature than someone twice your age. When will you be eighteen?” she asked me. I said, “I’ll turn eighteen one month before my baby is born.” Then Bobby spoke up and said, “Mom, next month we can find out what gender it is.” “Oh my, I can’t believe it. I’m going to be a grandmama. Well, Abby, we’ll have to start picking a date to have a baby shower. Maybe later your mom can give you one. What did she say?” “I haven’t told her yet,” I said. “Please don’t let her know we told you first. She is going to be upset enough, let alone, telling you first.” “Honey, it’s our secret. Do not worry. It’s her place to help you plan your wedding, but if you need help, call me. Okay?” I hugged her neck and thanked her. We sat around and talked and got a glass of tea and some chips. I felt so at ease here with her talking. She just had a way of making you feel welcome. I looked at my watch and saw that Mom and Dad should be home by now, so I asked Mrs. Fairfield if she minded taking us to my house now. “Not at all,” she stated. “You are going aren’t you, Bobby?” she asked. “Mom, you know I am. I wouldn’t think of letting her do this alone. I love her too much to do that to her.”

We got up and went to her car to get in. It was a long ride to my house, and they kept chatting back and forth, trying to kill the silence, and my mind was a thousand miles away. All I could think of was the look on their faces when I told them and hearing them telling me that I lied to them. I love them and hate to hurt them in any way. To break the silence, Bobby said, “Honey, we’re here. Let’s go get it over with. His mom said, “Bobby, call me when you’re ready to come home.” He nodded his head. We walked up to the front, and I opened the door. “Hey, Mom, are you home?” “Yes, honey, I was wondering where you were.” She saw us and said, “Well, hello, Bobby! So good to see you. Come on in and have a seat. What have you been doing today?” “Where is Dad, Mom?” “Oh, he called a few minutes ago and said he stopped by his buddy’s house to get a blade for his lawn mower.” I told her I’d fix supper for her in a few minutes. “Oh, it’s okay, honey. I found some stuff to make a quick sandwich and maybe fix some fries to go with it. Are you both hungry?” “I am a little.” “What’s wrong, Abby?” she asked. “Are you sick?” “In a way, I am, Mom.” “Come on over here, and let’s sit down. Now tell me what is wrong.” “Oh, Mom, I’m so embarrassed and ashamed to tell you because you both trusted me, and I let you down.” I couldn’t help but cry while trying to tell her. “Abby! Stop. What in the world is the matter?”

“Mom, I’m pregnant!” She sat back and just looked at me. “How do you know?” she asked. “I went to the doctor today and had a physical.” “How far along are you?” I told her, and she just sat back and looked over to Bobby. “Well, young man, I hate this because of what you have just been through. I have no choice but to ask you, what are your intentions?” I spoke up and told her about Bobby giving me a diamond the day before the wreck and asking me to marry him and how we had already planned to finish school and get our jobs going good before we jumped in to a serious situation. “Go get your ring, and let me see it,” she said. So I got up and went upstairs and got the ring and took it back to her. “It’s very pretty marquee.” Then I told Mom about how stupid I was, not keeping up with my monthly cycle and with so much on my mind, trying to make sure they were pleased with what I did and doing so many things at one time and thinking I had a virus that made me sick and feel like I was going to faint. “Well, we can’t turn back because it’s too far in the pregnancy. So we will have to start making plans before you show too much more than you do now.” I got in front of her and ask her to please forgive me. Then Bobby got beside me and asked her to forgive him too. He said, “Mrs. Franks, we really messed up things big time, and I’m sorry. I wish I could make it all different, but the damage has already been done.” My mom hugged his neck and told him thanks for stepping up to the plate for his mistakes.

“I really ire you for that. What about your job? Do you still have it, or did they let you go?” Bobby told her they said he had a job when he got his strength back. “I’ll talk to your dad and give you that much of a break. Not that I should, but I don’t want to have a miscarriage on my hands too.” So Bobby called his mom to come and get him. Mom then spoke up and said, “We need to go shopping Saturday for a wedding dress and start making plans for when and where.” I put my arms around Mom’s neck and hugged her and told her how much I loved her. She motioned for Bobby to come on in the group too. “You’re going to be one of my children too, so you just as well fit in.”

Chapter 33

In the weeks that followed were wedding plans, a bridal shower, and shopping for baby items and a few maternity clothes. We had a beautiful wedding at my church one month later, and we also had my ultrasound, and little Robert Leroy Fairfield III would be here in about ten more weeks. Bobby was real sad about not having Jimmy as his best man and thinking about how Judy lost out on hers, but then God knows what’s best for us all, and we have to trust in his judgment for us. We’ve truly learned about growing up too fast. Time is so precious, and you need to be thankful for every day you have because it can be taken away in the twinkling of an eye. I love my life now and love my husband with all my heart. We can hardly wait to hold our little boy. God bless you.