Life’s Expectations

The New Reality

Grace bathed and sat deep in thought.She wasn’t sure when she wanted to talk to Holly,but she needed to soon.She didn’t want to deal with it alone.She was trying to remember what had happened,but couldn’t.She thought maybe after she got some sleep things may be more clear.That night all she dreamed about was making love to that guy.Making love,not being assaulted.But then she dreamed of those hands all over her.The hands that left the deep scratches in her arms and back.And as despair gripped her,the wolf charged in to save her.It was very confusing.She also remembered severe pain,from someone doctoring her wounds.That part was real,because she had bandages on her arm and back.Why would a r****t doctor her wounds?What was with the wolf.Then she suddenly realized that was the same wolf on the guys wall.She was so confused.

“Hey Priss.Are you ready to talk?I really feel like you need to.What happened last night?It is not like you to lose Salts.”Holly said sitting down beside her on the sofa.

Grace nodded and Holly took her hand as Grace cried letting everything flow out.She also explained her dreams and about the wolf.Holly sat in silence as Grace,with her head in Holly’s lap.She ran her fingers through her hair.

Holly cleared her throat.”Do you believe in supernatural or magical things?”she asked Grace.Grace sat up.

“Like ghosts?”Grace asked confused.

“Well,yes and no. I am not talking about ghost.But do you believe in them?”Holly asked.Grace nodded and Holly nodded.

“Ok that’s a start.What about magic?Witches?Werewolves?”Holly asked with a serious look on her face.

“No,of course not.Why do you?”Grace asked her.

Holly just sat a minute letting her think.

“I mean that’s like asking if I believe in unicorns.”Grace said.

“No,that is fantasy.No history behind that or real folk lore.If you truly were to search there are rumors,tales and even history of witches,magic,werewolves.”Holly told her.

“So,are you saying that wolf?The wolf I saw that night and dreamed of?The wolf in the painting?That wolf is a werewolf?Is that guy that r***d me?”Grace sneered out the last part.

Holly shook her head,”No,no.I don’t think you are remembering correctly.Like you said he tended your wounds and he called you his.And you said it didn’t feel aggressive.You said the fear felt generated by the hands.Not from the front,but behind you.I think your mind has jumbled it all up and in time we will figure it out,together.”Holly told her and she kissed her on her forehead.

Grace was glad Holly and Andy decided to stay with her,she felt safer.As the weeks spread away from the incident Grace began to get sick.Holly and Andy had moved into their new house.And Grace only saw her at the shop.Grace began to throw up every morning.And anytime she smelled meat cooking.She told Holly.

“Grace honey,I think you may be pregnant.You are not alone and there are choices.You can have it taken care of,you can keep it or give it up for adoption.Whatever you decide I am here for you.You said you feel the guy didn’t r**e you,so the baby is not from an assault.I believe every child is a blessing,if not for you,maybe for someone else.But it is your decision.”Holly rubbed Grace’s head.

Grace showered and went to bed early.Holly told her to call if she needed.She left her some tea to brew for nausea and saltines.Grace dreamed of the guy and her baby girl all night.He was loving and gentle.He adored their baby and her.She felt safe with him.Why did she feel so at home with him.When she woke she just wanted to go back to sleep to find him.Through her pregnancy she got more comfort with him in her dreams.The doctor said she was doing well,but seemed further along.Was she sure of the date of conception.He told her that girls like her sometimes forgot stuff like that.When she told Holly,she was furious.But Holly didn’t explain to her.When she dreamed ,she told Thane.He was just as furious as Holly.But he also wouldn’t explain.He just said he was glad she was so innocent and kissed the top of her head.She felt a pain and the dream began to fade.

“It won’t be long now my love”Thane said as sleep faded and her dream life was gone.Gone and replaced with tremendous pain.Holly came running in,she helped Grace up.They grabbed her overnight bag and headed to the hospital.Holly held Grace’s hand coaching her breathing,while Andy sped to the hospital.They reached the entrance to the ER and Holly helped Grace out,so Andy could park.A nurse rushed up with a wheelchair.Grace sat carefully and the nurse wheeled her in to the registration desk.Holly quickly got the registration papers and insurance papers out.She gave them to the register nurse.They took Grace to a private room,but stopped Holly from entering.

“I am her legal guardian!What are you doing?She is scared.Let go of me!”Holly said loudly.

“Mam,you can and will be removed from this facility.You will calm down and go sit in the waiting room.”a nurse told her as Andy came up.

They went into the waiting room.Holly was very confused and concerned.

“What is going on?Where is our girl?”Andy asked,as they sat down.

Holly took his hand and gave it a squeeze.”I don’t think Grace will be bringing that baby home.Something is not right.I think the hospital is up to something.”Holly said very low.

“What do you think is going on?Do you really think she got involved with one of the packs?”Andy asked,looking around.

“I just hope they let her go.I know she will be devastated,but at least she will have her life she can have more children later.”Holly said and they sat and waited.

Grace was in so much pain. The nurses gave her something in her IV,that made her very sleepy.She kept falling asleep.She wasn’t in pain,but she couldn’t stay awake.The doctor came in pushing on her stomach and yelling for her to push.He was very rough and harsh.He also was not her doctor.She pushed and pushed.Her baby was out and crying it’s little head off.She was so relieved that her baby was ok.The nurses and doctor took the baby to the corner.Grace tried to focus on her baby,but couldn’t.She could barely stay awake.

Holly was lead to a room where Grace was still sleeping.She was no longer in a private room,but sharing it with another teenager.The girl was being taught how to latch her baby on to nurse.Holly sat and waited for Grace to wake.

“Is my baby ok?What is it?”Grace asked looking to Holly with such despair in her eyes.

“I haven’t heard anything.”Holly told her,but they both knew something was not right.

The nurse came in,”Miss Neely I am sorry to inform you that your baby was stillborn.Nothing could be done.”and she just walked out.Both Holly and Grace sat in shock.

“What did she just say?I heard my baby cry.I heard it!I heard my baby crying!Give me my baby!”Grace yelled getting out of bed and going into the hallway.

“You calm her down or we will kick you out.”the nurse told them.They gave Grace a sedative and she fell asleep.Andy went home,but Holly stayed by Grace’s side.

Holly was asleep in a chair next to Grace,but woke every time Grace moved.She was still laying her head on the bed when a nurse came in.Holly closed her eyes,pretending to be asleep.

“They are coming tomorrow to get the baby.”

“So what about the girl?”

“They have decided to take her too.”

“What will they do with her?They belong to the most ruthless pack in this region.I don’t care what they do,as long as we are not involved.The sooner that girl and that baby are gone the better.”

Holly was so shocked and terrified for them all.She had to get Grace out of there.The baby was out of there reach and she wasn’t going to tell Grace that it was indeed alive.That information would be dangerous for her.She had to get Grace to leave the area.While Holly was down the hall making a call to Andy,the nurses went into Grace’s room again.Grace woke,but didn’t let them know.She didn’t want them touching her.

“How are we going to get that woman to leave?The father said he would take care of her,if she was still here when they come to get the girl.”

“We will just let him deal with it.The less we are involved is safer for us.”

Holly came back and Grace was still pretending to sleep.

“Grace?Grace?Honey you…”

Grace jumped out of the bed.”Holly they said the father is coming and he is going to kill you if you are here when he comes to get me tomorrow.” Grace whispered loudly.

They grabbed her stuff and snuck out the stairwell and out of the hospital.Andy drove straight to the shop,they packed Grace’s things quickly.Andy had already put the basket on and serviced Grace’s Motorcycle.They packed her things and Salts.Holly added a picnic basket full of food for Grace and Salts into the sidecar seat.Salts was in a carrier in the basket behind Grace.Grace wore a backpack in front of her of her and on her back.Holly put a large umbrella and nice thick raincoat into the sidecar.Grace had not unpacked her bags from being kicked out of Miss Kay’s.So she easily grabbed the most important ones.Andy connected a little trailer he had made for camping for his motorcycle years ago to her’s.And they added more of her things to the trailer and a canvas tent.Holly told her to go down South.But not to Daisy,they would find her there.They hugged her,all of them in tears.Holly told Grace her things would be here when she could come back to get them.Andy told her to drive til she needed gas,then drive a tank further.After the second tank,rest.Grace drove away as Holly cried in Andy’s arms.