Home for the Holidays

3: Disappear

~ The Next Morning ~

Sunlight softly peeked through the clouds, while thick snow flurries fell from the sky. The snowfall started around 2 a.m.; the same time Tahj started pacing back and forth, staring at Nevaeh as she slept in his bed. Around seven that morning, Nevaeh rolled over to Tahj’s cold spot. She looked up and watched Tahj pacing anxiously back and forth.

“Good morning,” Nevaeh yawned and stretched. “Why are you pacing like that? Knowing you’re gonna be a dad getting the best of you?” She smiled brightly at him.

“Morning,” Tahj robotically voiced. “I guess you can say that’s why.”

“Did you get any sleep last night? You were beside me last night when I fell asleep.”

“No, I didn’t get much sleep.”

Tahj’s responses were monotone and snappy, but Nevaeh continued the conversation anyway. “You know, last night I had a crazy nightmare. You broke up with me.”

Tahj finally stopped moving and his body ached. It was the first time he stood still in five hours. “Nevaeh, it wasn’t a nightmare. I did break up with you. If you’re not willing to get rid of the baby, I can’t do this, Vaeh. Please, please, please reconsider.”

Nevaeh’s eyes went wide and watery. “What do you mean, ‘you can’t do this’? This is our baby! I’m not reconsidering s**t! Tahj, don’t you love me?”

Josephine burst through the door, interrupting their conversation. “Oh good, you’re both up. Come downstairs. We need to talk… now.”

Nevaeh glared at Tahj and angrily threw the covers back. She followed Josephine downstairs with her arms folded on her chest. Frank was sitting in his chair, solving another crossword. His cut close curls looked ruffled, as if he hadn’t touched them since he got out of bed.

Josephine was more put together than the previous day. Her French braid was freshly done and tight, so no swinging out of place today. She had on her usual makeup, which did nothing to cover her god awful cosmetic surgery. Her fillers were still visible on her golden brown skin.

“Nevaeh,” Josephine cleared her throat, “we are very well aware of your situation. I don’t quite understand why you two were having unprotected s*x, given how young you are, but none of that matters.” She held her head high, looking down at Nevaeh. “I understand your father disowned you because you refused to get rid of it. Do you still insist on keeping the baby?”

Tears fell down Nevaeh’s cheek and she didn’t answer. She knew exactly where Josephine was taking the conversation. Annoyed, Josephine snapped, “Nevaeh, I know you hear me talking to you. Don’t be a cunt.”

“Jo,” Frank huffed.

Josephine rolled her eyes at Frank and turned her attention back to Nevaeh. Nevaeh wiped her tears and looked up at Josephine coldly. “If you think you’re gonna convince me to get rid of this baby, you can save it. I didn’t do it for my dad, I’m not doing it for Tahj, and nothing you’ll say will make me do it for you.”

“If you’re not getting rid of it, we’re getting rid of you,” Josephine countered.

“Excuse me? Get rid of me,” Nevaeh choked.

“Woah, mom,” Tahj horrifyingly shrieked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh please.” Josephine sat on the sofa and crossed her legs. “I’m not referring to murder. Although I will admit it crossed my mind.”

“Dammit, Jo!” Frank frustratedly huffed again.

“Lighten up, jeez. I’m kidding,” Josephine cackled. “What I mean is, if you’re not getting rid of the baby, you need to leave town. Ya know, disappear.”

“Leave town? You can’t be serious. I’m not going anywhere,” Nevaeh declared.

“Then get rid of the baby,” Josephine flashed a wicked smile.

“Josephine,” Frank’s voice deepened. “Stop pressuring her and do what we discussed.”

“Oh, it was worth a try,” she sucked her teeth and waved her hand dismissively. “Fine. As you have so adamantly stressed, you’re not getting rid of the baby. We respect your choice, therefore we will put you up in a hotel so you can finish the school year.

Afterward, you need to skedaddle and leave Aurora Creek. I have a fifty thousand dollar check for you. Do what you will with it, but you must leave town.”

Still puzzled, Nevaeh asked, “Why do I have to leave town? I’ve lived here all my life. Aurora Creek is all I know.”

“I won’t let you ruin my family,” Josephine snapped. “I can’t speak for your family, but I can’t have my son’s girlfriend pregnant and homeless. I also don’t want my son’s pregnant girlfriend living with me.”

“I’m not your son’s girlfriend anymore. He broke up with me,” Nevaeh bitterly revealed and glared at Tahj.

Josephine raised her brow in surprise. “Really? Well, your best bet is to take the check and leave town. I refuse to have me or my son’s reputation tarnished because you’re too stubborn for your own good. I’ll give you a hundred thousand dollars instead.”

She walked to the kitchen and returned to the living room with her checkbook. She wrote out a check for the amount she promised. After signing it, she handed the check to Nevaeh, who took it begrudgingly.

“Now that that’s settled,” Josephine proudly remarked, “Frank, do you mind taking Nevaeh to get some new clothes and to a hotel? Also, get her some breakfast. She’s probably starving.”

Frank nodded and extended his hand for Nevaeh’s. She asked if she could pack her things at their house since she’s never coming back and leaving town anyway, and Josephine allowed it. While Frank was gone with Nevaeh and helping her get settled, she dealt with Tahj.

“You broke up with her? Why,” Josephine asked Tahj.

“I heard you and dad talking and how your brother got disowned. You have a brother and I didn’t even know! I was afraid you’d disown me too, so after she refused to change her mind, I broke up with her.”

“Why were you eavesdropping? If you were truly listening, then you would’ve heard me tell Frank I wasn’t going to disown you.”

Tahj recoiled in shame. “I didn’t hear that part,” he admitted.

“You’re a terrible eavesdropper. No, I’m not disowning you. However, until after your birthday, I’m taking away your allowance, all your cards, and your car. If you need anything, you’ll have to go through me.”

“But my birthday is eleven months away,” Tahj pouted. “That’s like a whole year!”

“Would you rather be disowned? This is what happens when you fly too close to the sun.”

Without another word, Josephine walked off. Meanwhile, after a clothes shopping spree, Frank tried to give some parental support to Nevaeh, but nothing he could say or do would pierce her now cold heart. Christmas would never be the same for her.