Page 56 of Twisted Truths
He hugged me tighter. “I know. No one ever does.” He brushed my curls from my face. “Let it out.”
Grandpa rocked back and forth soothingly, letting me cry until I fell asleep. I don’t remember falling asleep, but I woke up still dressed, with the dogs holding me hostage.
Crawling out of bed, I stripped down and took a shower. My summer break was here, and I wasn’t about to waste it crying over someone like Henry.
Tara and I spent the summer mowing lawns and hanging out on the trails.
We were sitting in the treehouse when Jolynn and Edith joined us. Jo looked like she’d been crying for over 24 hours with her red, swollen eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I wrapped my arms around her.
“I’m pregnant.” She swiped at the tears that fell. “And when Richard heard Viv was, he said he was glad it wasn’t us.”
“Wait.” Tara shook her head and cleaned her ears. “Did you just say Vivian is pregnant?”
“Yep.” Edie popped the p. “And so is Jo.”
“Holy cats!” I sat back. “Are you okay?”
“No.” She laughed as she cried. “I’m knocked up before my junior year and my mom thinks it would be best if I went to live with my grandma.”
“Oh, my god.” Tara sat back stunned. “What are you going to do?”
Jo shrugged. “Probably go live with my grandma in Sand Creek.”
“Maybe you should tell Richard?” I offered her my bottle of water.
She took a deep drink and then shook her head. “We’ve talked about kids before. He said he isn’t ready and doesn’t think having kids is a good idea with his gene pool.”
“Huh?” Edie’s face scrunched up in confusion. “That’s odd. What’s wrong with his gene pool?”
“His dad is a bastard.” Jo chuffed. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve helped nurse a black eye or fat lip.”
“Damn, that sucks.” I sighed and sat back against the wall.
“I don’t want to go to my grandma’s alone.”
“My parents won’t let me out of my schedule at the diner or I’d go with you.” Edie crawled over and hugged her.
“I can probably go.” I gave a shrug. “If you think about it, a change of scenery might be nice.”
“Still mad at Henry?”
“C’mon, how could I not?” I twisted my lips up. “I thought he really liked me.”
“So did I!” Jo nodded, with Edie and Tara joining her.
“Yeah, let’s go talk to my grandpa.” I motioned to the opening. “We can head out whenever you want.”
“What about mowing?” Jo took another drink. “I feel like a stupid camel.”
“We don’t have that many yards this summer.” Tara came over and hugged Jo. “I can do them.”
“Thanks, guys.” She sniffled.
“Hey, that’s what friends are for, right?” Edie smiled as she hugged me, then Jo.
Jo and I climbed down and went to talk to my grandpa. I knew he wouldn’t mind me going, so after we talked to him, I packed my backpack and went with Jo back to her house.