Wondering Minds

Chapter 6

A couple of days went by and I was lying in bed while everyone was at school. I turn over to look at my phone to scroll through social media.

I came across a post that had Emma and her brother at a bowling alley. "She didn't even invite me." I kept scrolling until I came across another post of Emma but this time she was at a swimming pool party.

"Luna!" My Mom comes busting through the door. "It's time for you to get up."

I whine a little, "Mom, can I just stay in bed for one day? You treat me like a baby, I'm eighteen years old."

"I guess you don't want to visit your brother today."

I swiftly raise, "Does he know that we're coming?" Mom picks up clothes off my floor and then puts them on my bed. "Yes, I talked to him yesterday and he wants you to visit him."

I excitedly get out of bed to get ready to go, "I'll be ready in a minute." Mom nods her head and then heads out of my room. It takes me about twenty minutes to get ready.

"Okay, I'm ready Mom." We got into the car and headed to the prison. "Is there something going on with you and Emma?" Mom says while keeping her eyes on the road.

"Why do you think something is going on between us?"

"Because... y'all usually hang out together and now y'all haven't hung out in days. What's going on?"

I didn't say anything for a few seconds while I thought about Emma. "Well... Um... Emma is pregnant."

It comes by surprise causing Mom to almost swerve off the road. "What?! Does her Mom know?"

"I don't know we haven't talked in days."

My Mom put on her motherly voice, "So, y'all stop talking because she's pregnant... I'm not getting it."

"No, Mom... We got into an argument about how she wanted an abortion and I didn't want her to and... blah blah blah. I was just trying to be a friend."

I could tell my Mom was thinking, "Well... just keep being a friend to her, that's what she needs. If she wants an abortion just be there to support her, having a baby could be a scary thing but at the same time it could be the most wonderful thing." She turns her head a little to smile at me.

I lay my head back on the seat, "I guess you're right, I'll talk to her after school tomorrow."

About twenty minutes later we arrive at the prison. We headed inside to sign in, "Luna, sign your name right here." She pointed towards an empty spot. I sign my name and then Mom signs after me. The police made us put our bags and electronics in a bucket as we walked through a scanner.

"Who are y'all visiting today?"

"We're visiting Luke Jenkins," Mom says professionally.

"Okay, follow me." We followed him to a room full of tables and chairs and in the corner a family. The police sat us down close to a vending machine. "He'll be out in a minute." I take a look around the room to take in my environment.

Soon my brother comes out with a police officer. He had a huge smile across his face, his hair was shaved down into a buzz cut. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs around his wrist.

"Lucas! My handsome baby" My Mom yells. I rolled my eyes as Lucas sat down, "I missed y'all so much." He says while holding back tears.

He turns to stare at me with his light brown eyes. "How are you doing little sis?"

I smile, "I'm doing okay."

"How's school going? I know this is your last year."

Before I could say a word Mom interrupts, "She hasn't been to school in a week, because she has been smoking weed."

Disappointment runs across his face as his left leg begins to shake. "Why are you smoking weed? That stuff is not good for you, believe me, I've learned my lesson."

I looked down at my hands as I twirled my fingers. "I thought I'd help calm down my anxiety..."

He starts to lower his voice, "You're not selling weed, right?"

"No."

He smiles, "Good, I don't want you ending up like me." When he turned his head I could see the newly developed scar on the left side of his neck.

Mom catches a glance at it too, "Lucas? What happened to your neck?"

He tries to cover it up, "It's nothing... So, Luna how's your anxiety, is it better?"

"Not really, I just started my treatment with Doctor Ford."

"That's good..."

Mom butts in still curious about the scar, "Don't ignore me, Lucas Lamont Jenkins! What happened?"

"I had a little altercation with someone but it's dealt with. I'm in a new pod everything is good." Mom lets out a sigh of relief but I could tell there's more to the story.

The police walks up to us, "Times up."

Lucas gets up from the seat, "I'll see y'all next time, and be good Luna I'm counting on you." I smiled as Mom tried to hug him but the police stopped her. We watched as Lucas disappeared behind the door.

We leave with a smile on our faces as we laughed and talked all the way home.