THE STORM

4. Bria

The next day I feel a little better so, we get up, and around then head to school. I don't know what time Liam got in last night, and I don't really care. It was so hard to wake Liam up this morning. That we missed the bus, and somehow, it's my fault.

Liam yelled at me saying that “if my slow ass would have hurried up, we wouldn't be having to walk.” So, we have to walk or not go. I've missed enough already and, with the baby coming I can't afford to miss any days until I have to. So, we walk to school the whole way, Liam is saying that we should have just ditched.

I tell him that he didn't have to go, but I wanted to. He rolled his eyes then said, “like I'm going to let you go and, me stay home”. I roll my eyes trying to walk away. Then instantly regret it because Liam yanks me back, gets in my face yelling, “I’m going to slap you, if you roll your eyes again”. After he lets go, I keep walking.

My stomach is kind of hurting, but I'm sure It's because I'm starving. The walk is making me hungrier. We finally get to school, and I try to hurry to my first class because I'm already tardy. Liam grabs my arm, yanking me back then tells me to “slow the hell down, that we will get there when we get there”. I don't say anything, I just slow down.

Once we finally get to my first periods' door, I rush in without even telling Liam bye or anything, I'm sure I will pay for that later, but I don't have time for all that right now. Lucky for me, Holly has been taken notes, so I'll just borrow hers later to catch up on everything I missed. About ten minutes are left in class when the teacher tells us “We can pair up with a partner to work on this assignment together”. Holly and me instantly know we are going to pick each other to be partners. So, we turn our tables to look at each other.

Instead of talking about this assignment, Holly asks me “why are you late to school”. I tell her everything leaving out the abuse. Holly rolls her eyes then says, “I don't know why you just don't dump his sorry ass”. I tell Holly that “I'm pregnant”.

I don't want to raise a baby in a split parent’s environment”. Holly looks at me and says” now you listen to me; Liam isn't going to help you anyway because he is too busy getting high, drunk and bossing you around”. We are talking about everything. (I have never told Holly he hits me) Holly is saying, “he knows that you will step up, so he doesn't have to”. Holly says, “lots of parents are separated, and still manage fine.” I look at her silent because as much as I want to argue with Holly, she is on to something. That makes me sick to my stomach. I ask Holly where the hell I'm going to live if I leave Liam. She gives me a sad look not saying anymore. She just gets up walking to the door right when, the bell rings first period is over.

When I walk out, I was surprised to not see Liam there, but I really didn't want to see him right now. So, Holly and I walk to next period together. By the end of eighth hour, I'm curious as to where Liam has been all day.

At three o'clock, the bell rings for the end of school. I hope and, pray Liam is somewhere close because I have a job interview. I have to have a ride there. When I walk out of the school. I'm surprised to see Liam there with his dads' car waiting for me. He gives me a look. Then looks Holly up, and, down. (odd) and she blushes then says “bye”. I shake off the thought that just came to my head and, Hurry an get in the car. I don't have time to worry about what that moment just was between Liam and Holly.

We head to my interview. Liam doesn't say anything the whole way, and I'm thankful for that, but I'm still on the edge of my seat because I know it's only a matter of time before he says or does something. We arrive at PTI.

PTI stands for Pinnacle telemarketing inc. I'm nervous as hell, but I can do this. I step into the building and, I’m instantly in front of a desk with an older lady sitting behind it. She looks up and asks me “what can I help you with?” I tell her “I'm Brianna! I'm here for an interview with Amanda.” She smiles then tells me to” take a seat”, that Amanda will be with me shortly. She goes to tell Amanda I'm here because five minutes after she returns to her desk Amanda calls my name and, I follow Amanda to her office.

(interview)

Amanda – “so Brianna, tell me a little bit about yourself.”

Bria- “My name is Brianna, but everyone calls me Bria. I'm sixteen, pregnant and, really need this job.”

Amanda looks at me after I dropped the bomb that I was pregnant.

Amanda- “explains the job then says, ok Bria could you read a script for me.”

Amanda then Hands me a paper with a script on it. Asking me to read it” and to use my best telemarketing voice.”

I read the script in my best voice. I hope and, pray that me being pregnant isn't a dealbreaker. After I'm done reading. Amanda smiles.

Amanda – “that was great, when would you like to start”?

Bria- “as soon as possible”

Amanda- “How about two weeks from today? You will have a week of paid training that starts at thirteen dollars an hour and, then after your training. We will bump you up to fourteen dollars and then, after ninety days “you will go to sixteen dollars an hour, does that work for you?”

Bria- “yes, that sounds great. I'm going to be honest, I thought me being pregnant might have been an issue”.

Amanda- “Oh not at all! we have a few pregnant girls that work here, and we work with them on appointments and everything. we make sure they are well taken care of. We offer great maternity leave along with great insurance coverage.”

Bria- “wow awesome. I'll take the job.”

Amanda- “awesome I will see you in a couple weeks from today at four thirty.”

Bria- “awesome I will see you then for sure”.

Amanda – “we will see you then.”

I stand shake her hand while taken the papers that I need to fill out ,and bring back with me on my first day. Before I walk out of her office, she speaks and tells me “That if for some reason that start date doesn't work to let her know, and she can move it out further”. I smile and tell her “Thank-you.”

When I get to the car, I have a huge smile on my face. Liam puts the car in drive, and we leave. On the way to the house, I finally speak telling Liam “I got the job, I tell him my pay and my start date.” I ask him, “if he has Hurd anything back from a job yet?” He looks at me and speaks.

Liam- “I don't know why you need to work right now”.

Bria- “we are having a baby and, we need the money.”

Liam- “not for nine f*****g months though”

Bria- “I know, but me working now I can save money and, be able to buy stuff the baby is going to need and stock up on diapers.”

Liam- “well, to answer your question I threw my applications away, and I don't want you working.”

Bria- “well I'm working like it or not, one of us has to grow up and, step up.”

I instantly regret the words after they have left my mouth. Liam backhands me in the face. I start crying, but I don't bite my tongue. Even though I probably should, I just can't.

Bria- “Liam I'M not going to keep putting up with this. I don't want to raise this baby is separate homes, but I don't want to raise the baby in a home where daddy, beats on, mommy either. I'm going to talk to my mom about me coming back home, or maybe see if Holly's parents will let me stay with her for a few weeks till I figure out a place to go. Or, maybe go stay with my grandparents.”

Liam- “if you think you are leaving my house. To go live with someone else you are mistaken. You are mine! and, are carrying my baby so, you are stuck with me forever bitch.”

Bria- “I'm not stuck with you, I can leave when I want and, if you keep putting your hands on me, I'm leaving.”

Liam- “you want to leave me, there is only one way you are leaving.”

Liam yanks the steering wheel towards the ditch, but before he can try to correct it. We go flying, thankfully the car never rolls, but the seat belt got really tight with the jar of us bouncing and, sliding sideways. Once the car is stopped, I instantly get out of the car. I can’t hear what Liam is saying. I'm freaking out. I'm shaking, crying. I can feel the sting of Liams hand on my face. My stomach is in knots. I'm breathing heavy, trying to slow it down, but I'm so f*****g freaked out.

(FLASH BACK)

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHEN I WAS fifteen. I was With MY GRANDPA DRINKING. (I KNOW, STUPID RIGHT) BUT, I HAD A LOT ON MY MIND. MY GRANDPA HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY ROCK, SO WHEN I CAME TO HIM AND TOLD HIM. “I WANTED A BEER.” HE NEVER TOLD ME NO. SO HE GAVE ME A BEER. WE LAUGHED AND DRANK. EVERYTHING I WAS WORRIED ABOUT, FORGOTTEN AT THAT MOMENT. WELL, MY GRANDPA HAD JUST GOTTEN AN 86 FOX BODY MUSTANG THAT I REALLY WANTED TO TAKE OUT. HE LET ME DRIVE, AT FIRST I WAS DRINKING YES BUT I HAD ONLY HAD ONE SO I WAS FINE.

WE CAME BACK TO THE HOUSE AND, I KEPT ASKING HIM TO TAKE THE CAR OUT AGAIN. HE DIDN’T ANSWER ME, SO I ASKED HIM AGAIN AND, AGAIN. UNTIL, HE FINALLY GAVE IN ONLY THIS TIME HE SAID HE WAS DRIVING. SO, I HURRY AND GET IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE STARTS THE CAR. WE PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND, GO UP A HILL. NOT EVEN GOING FAST OR ANYTHING. WHEN A LOUD SOUND CAME FROM UNDER THE CAR. I FELT SOMETHING SMACK THE FLOORBOARD UNDER MY FEET, BUT BEFORE I COULD ASK WHAT THAT WAS. MY FACE WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD, BREAKING THE WINDOW, MY FOREHEAD WAS STILL STUCK IN THE GLASS.

I LOOKED OVER AT MY GRANDPA AND, SAW HE WAS TRYING TO CORRECT THE CAR. WENT TO ASK HIM FOR HELP. Then I MANAGED TO GET MY FACE UNSTUCK JUST IN TIME TO SEE A TREE. MY FACE WENT THREW THE WINDSHIELD THIS TIME. I PASSED OUT FOR I'm NOT SURE HOW LONG.

I FINALLY OPEN MY EYES AND, MY GRANDPA IS STILL PASSED OUT BESIDE ME. Not only that, I SHAKE HIM AWAKE AND, HE GETS OUT OF THE CAR. HIS FACE LOOKS BAD, HE MUST HAVE SMACKED THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE HIS MOUTH WAS ALL BUSTED. I COULD SEE SOME OF HIS TEETH THREW HIS LIP. HE HELPED ME OUT OF THE CAR THEN, WE WALKED BACK DOWN THE HILL. TO THE HOUSE,

WE HAD FINALLY GOT TO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN I WAS Too LIGHTHEADED TO WALK ANY FURTHER. THEN I HURD MY GRANDMA YELL. I DON'T WAKE UP AGAIN UNTIL I'm BEING LOADED INTO THE HELICOPTER. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR WEEKS AFTER THAT. I COULDN'T FEEL MY LEGS FOR ALMOST 4 DAYS. WHEN I DID GET THE FEELING BACK, THEY Were LIKE JELLY.

WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, I LEARNED THAT MY MOM HAD MY GRANDPA ARRESTED. I THREW A FIT AND, BEGGED HER TO GET HIM OUT. FINALLY, SHE WENT WITH ME TO THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE BUT, THEY SAID “THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO BECAUSE I WAS A MINOR, AND THE STATE TOOK THE CASE”.

SO, MY GRANDPA DID 120 DAYS IN PRISON. IT SUCKED WATCHING MY BEST FRIEND IN THIS ENTIRE WORLD GO TO PRISON FOR An ACCIDENT. HE DIDN’T CAUSE. THEY TRIED TO SAY IT WAS THE BEER, BUT I KNOW DIFFERENT. I REMEMBER THE WHOLE WRECK. YA, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRINKING BUT, THAT WASN'T WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH.

I WILL ARGUE THAT TILL THE DAY I DIE. WE LATER LEARNED THE TIE ROD ON THE CAR WAS BAD AND, THAT IT HAD FINALLY BROKEN. It WAS JUST BAD TIMEING FOR us. TO BE DRIVING THE CAR. IT WAS ME WHO KEPT ASKING.

(Snapping OUT OF FLASHBACK)

I hear a voice yell what the f**k where you thinking? I finally snap out of it; I look up to see a car parked on the side of the road. It's a lady and, who I assume is her daughter walks up to me, I realize that I know the daughter from school Chelsea, they ask me if “I'm Ok.” I say, “I'm fine I'm Just shook up,” the lady turns around and asks Liam “what the hell is your problem”. Liam doesn’t Say anything. Just stands there in shock. The lady asks me if “I'm OK.”

Again, I tell her that my stomach is cramping a little but “I'm ok”. she asks me if “I need something to drink”, I tell her” Yes”. She has her daughter run to the car to get me water. Why her daughter is gone, she leans down and tells me “She saw the whole thing, and that she doesn't think I need to get back in the car with him.”

As she is looking at me with worry, we hear a car pull off really fast. I look up to see that Liam has left in his dads' car. The lady looks back at me and, asks me “is there somewhere I can take you?” “I give her my mom’s address”, she helps me to the car and, then we are on our way.