Leavin' It All Behind

Chapter 1: Serena’s Fate

Chapter 1: Serena’s FateSerena Bainbridge stands on the steps of her older sister’s studio apartment, trying to breathe. Earlier that day, she had taken a home pregnancy test, her hand shaking as she held the test stick. As soon as she saw the result, she knew she had to talk to Savannah.

Waiting for the door to open, Serena can feel her thoughts whirling like a tornado on the Texas prairie. I can’t be pregnant. Tears sting her eyes, but she blinks them back, trying to be mature.

Savannah’s face appears in the doorway.

“Sissy! Come on in.”

Serena smiles at the pet name only her big sister still uses. She steps inside the tiny apartment, looking around for her brother-in-law’s presence. Savannah notices her hesitation.

“He’s at work, Sissy. Just me here. What’s up?

Serena stands in the center of the front room, shifting from one foot to the other. She has both hands in her jeans pockets. Savannah notices that one hand seems to be gripping something inside the pocket.

“Come on, sit down, Serena. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”

Serena sits. Once her sister is on the couch next to her, she produces the object from her pocket and holds it out to Savannah. Running through Serena’s brain is the picture of herself in the school bathroom, staring at the offending blue spot on the stick.

Savannah looks, then closes her eyes. When she opens them, Serena has her head down, crying quietly.

“What am I gonna do, Van? My life is over.” More tears. Savannah puts one strong arm around her sister’s slim shoulders. She prepares to comfort her Sissy, but one part of her mind says that Serena has a point. Life as a whiz kid high school student is probably over.

“Well, let’s see what first. You want a Coke or somethin’?”

Serena nods wordlessly, and Savannah goes into the tiny alcove that serves as a kitchen, returning with two cans of coke. Serena takes a long swig and then again asks, “What am I gonna do?”

Savannah tries to take charge as calmly as possible. In order to sort her thoughts, she stands up and paces back and forth. Suddenly, she stops and looks at her little sister.

“Whose is it? I know you know. You’re not one to sleep around, and I know I’m right about that. Come on, tell.”

Serena looks up at her sister through a slow-flowing veil of tears. “Cody. It’s Cody’s. I’m sorry, Van. I know the whole family hates him…”

“That’s not the point, Sissy. I don’t care what Ma thinks, or anybody else. I just want you to be okay. And I can’t see any future for you with Cody Simpkins.”

Serena moves toward one end of the couch. Savannah sits back down and waits.

“I…think I might…marry him. Cody. At least the baby will have a family.”

Savannah takes her time in answering this statement.

“Serena. You don’t have to do this. You have choices.”

Serena stares at her sister in shock. “You mean, an abortion? Kill my baby?”

“Oh, Sissy. Don’t think of it like that. It’s not even a baby now. Just…a problem.”

Serena folds herself into a ball at the end of the couch, still crying. Savannah waits.

Suddenly, there’s a sharp knock on the door. Savannah gets up and looks through the peep hole, while Serena ignores the sound altogether.

The arrogant face of Cody Simpkins appears in the tiny window. Savannah sighs and prepares for the worst. Then she opens the door.

The short, muscular young man stalks into the living room as if he owns the place. This immediately sets Savannah in defense mode.

Cody spots his girlfriend and promptly plants his sturdy body right in front of her. Serena flinches as if she’s been hit. Savannah takes some deep breaths, trying to control her disgust and anger.

“Serena, baby, you’ve gotta talk to me. What’s goin’ on here? Why didn’t you call me back?”

Serena looks up and stares at her boyfriend and the father of her unborn child. “Cody. Oh, Cody…” is all she can manage.

The young man turns to Savannah with a question in his eyes. Having just a moment of pity for his distress, Savannah motions him to join her in the kitchen.

At the small round table, Cody sits uncomfortably. Savannah plunges in, “Look, man. I don’t really like you, and you know that.”

Cody opens his mouth to speak, but Savannah waves a silencing hand.

“Just listen, okay? It’s not my place to spill the beans for my sister, but I can tell you she needs you right now—needs you to try and be a grown-up. Think you can do that?”

Cody shifts uneasily in the narrow chair. “Yeah—I mean—I do love her. I just wanna know why she’s upset.”

“Okay, then. I’ll clear outta here for an hour or so, and you two can talk without any outside pressure. Just…think before you speak…okay?”

Cody says nothing, but looks like he’s trying to get himself together. Savannah goes into the front room and hugs her little sister without a word. Then she goes out, closing the door of the apartment behind her.