Tragic Love Friday

People, I am stuffed. Two Thanksgiving dinners in two days! Stuffed. And tired. Zzzzz.

Before I veg in front of the boob tube, though, it's time to share the second installment of Tragic Love Friday. Last week, we learned about Jenna's knack for seducing her best friend's boyfriend and becoming pregnant with his illegitimate child. Now it's time to tell you (wait for it) the rest of the story.

As before, personal commentary appears in brackets.

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CHAPTER ONE - JENNA (CONTINUED)

When I was younger, I often thought about the time I would become a mother. Now in a few months, I'd be holding my baby, touching her, loving her. The doctor who was taking care of me hadn't said so, but I was positive that David and I had created a daughter.

"Mommy," I whispered. The word rolled off my lips, and I smiled. "Jenna Meddows is a mommy-to-be." [Do pregnant women actually talk like this? Please hit me upside the head if I ever talk like this.]

Somehow, my mind drifted off to Kayla. My smiled faded into a frown. Boy, I thought. I sure messed things up with her.

We used to share everything, and do everything together. Hours were spent talking about nothing.

Since my parents were away so much, I was always at Kayla's house. Her family was like the one I'd always wanted. Besides Michael, she was someone I felt I could always trust. [Does this mean you'll screw him over, too?] That started to change when she started having problems with David.

Kayla would tell me that David told her that he felt the two of them weren't the same, and that he wasn't happy in the relationship. They were on the verge of breaking up, and my friend was desperate. So she asked me to talk to David.

It hurts me still when I remember how heartbroken Kayla was. "Please! Won't you talk to him for me?" she'd pleaded. "He'll listen to you. You guys are friends. Please, Jenna, I couldn't stand it if I lost him." Then she'd cry helplessly, and I'd feel guilty that I didn't want to do it. I hadn't wanted to get in the middle of everything. In the end, though, I gave in. "Thank you so much. You're a real friend," she'd said.

Some friend. I did meet with David. He told me that he and Kayla had lost that spark that kept love alive. [What does that even mean? My inner V.C. Andrews is, like, totally taking over here.] A few days later, he broke up with her. The next few weeks were spent handing Kayla Kleenex and helping David get over the guilt of leaving my friend. After a while, though, the sparks that left Kayla's and David's romance came into our friendship. [Obviously that's not the only thing that "came."] [Ba dum bum ching!] We had a few dates without Kayla's knowledge, and that was all it took. We were falling in love.

Then, somehow, she found out. I will never forget that day. She looked so angry, so hurt. "You back-stabbing lying little bitch!" she'd screamed. "How could you go after my ex-boyfriend? As soon as he dumped me, did he go to you? Did you both laugh at me?"

"It wasn't like that!" I tried to tell her, but she refused to listen. "Liar! You betrayed me! I hate you, Jenna! You hurt me. Thanks for being such a GREAT best friend."

I felt tears slide down my cheeks and I shut my eyes, trying to block the memories, but there was so much to remember, too much to forget. [So deep!]

Cassie slowly became cool towards me and became better friends wth Kayla. Michael was great, though. He supported me, and didn't judge me harshly when I told him I was expecting. He's truly my best friend. [That's cuz he knows you're easy!] I've told him things that even David doesn't know. [Like how to wear a condom?]

I finally calmed myself down. Stop thinking about your mistakes, I told myself, and focus on the future you'll have with David and your baby.

That thought put me in a deep sleep later that night.

CHAPTER TWO - DAVID

The sunlight that came streaming through my window woke me from a deep sleep. "No," I moaned, pulling my blanket over my head. I didn't want to get out of bed. The past few weeks had been so crazy, and it would stay that way till the baby was born. Now that school was out, I would be able to work full time. I'm a cashier at McDonald's. I know it's not the best job in the world, but all the money I make is put into an account. That way, when Jenna and I are married and are living with the baby, we'll have some money to start us off with. And since Jenna didn't work, I provided our money. That was why I often worked overtime and was always available, just in case my boss called and offered me a few hours of work. I took whatever I got. [You got that right, buddy!]

I yawned, stretched, and slowly got out of bed. As I entered the kitchen, I saw Cassie sitting at the table, flipping through the paper and drinking coffee. She looked up as I sat down. "Hey. What time did you get home from work? I didn't hear you come in."

I raised an eyebrow. "Good morning to you, too, sis." I tapped her coffee cup. "I sure could go for some of that right now." [Am Mickey D's overlord! Do my bidding!] My sister rolled her eyes. "How could I turn down such a charming invitation?" But she still poured me some. "You never answered my question. How late did you stay out?"

"I sipped my coffee. "My shift ended at 12:00, and then I went drivin' around."

Cassie sighed. "You work too hard, David. Mom's always complaining that it's like she doesn't even have a son." I laughed. "Doesn't she wish!"

Our mom is a social butterfly. She flits here and there, makes an obligatory appearance at home, and then she's off again. It's no secret that she sleeps around. She's been like that ever since our dad died of a heart attack 3 years ago. [Is David's life story tugging at your heartstrings yet? Because he's one of my favorite characters. That's exactly what I was aiming for.]

Cassie looked sad. "You don't need her. You have Jenna, and you have a baby on the way. You'll be leaving soon, and I'll be stuck at home with dear old Mom."

I smiled and grabbed her hand, giving it a good squeeze. "Don't worry, sis. One day you'll find someone who you'll love forever." [I think I meant to say, "who'll love you forever," but I was too lazy to white it out and redo it.] I laughed. "You've got a lot of time to find him, though. There's no rush."

She rolled her eyes. [Eye rolling is to chapter two what sighing was to chapter one.] "Right. And this is coming from a guy who's expecting a baby in 3 months, AND is engaged!" She stood up and grinned. "Mr. Donovan, I didn't catch your age," she boomed in a deep voice.

I also got to my feet. "Cut it out, Cassie. I've got to get ready for work."

"She wiggled her ear with her fingers. "I didn't hear your age?"

"So I'm only 17. Jenna is, too. We're expecting a child. I think it's only logical we get married."

"Logical?" My sister playfully whacked me in my forehead with the palm of her hand. "You get married for love, silly, not logic." Her tone was gentle. "David, do you love Jenna?"

"That's a stupid question! Of course I do."

"Don't marry her because she's got your bun in her oven. Do it because you'd do it no matter what." [And don't you want to hang this gem as a cross-stitch over the fireplace?]

I laughed at her choice of words. "Nice language." I grew serious. "I don't know what you're talking about, though. I'm with Jenna because I want to be, not 'cause I have to." My sister looked skeptical.

"I know you don't like Jenna because of ... what happened with her, me, and Kayla--"

"You're right," she snapped, cutting me off. "I would never do that to a friend."

"Let it go, Cassie."

"I don't want you to make a mistake. You'd hurt too many people." A tear slid down her cheek. "I can't let go because your my BROTHER, and I care about what happens to you."

"Oh, don't cry, Cassie." I hugged her. "I'm a big boy. If I make a mistake, I can pick up the pieces."

"I guess." She gave me a push. "Go get ready for work."

"OK. I'll talk to you later."

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Tune in next week when I'm not on the verge of passing out at the keyboard. Plus, baby names, coveting, and underage drinking! Who could ask for anything more?

Also, a little belated, but I'd like to dedicate the typing of this story to my sister, Samantha. Partly because she asked me to, and partly because she lists it on her blog as one of her favorite books of all time. Oh yes she does.

Comments

[debi]

I am finding myself getting into this tale of woe and would like to get under the covers and read the whole thing.

[debra]

lol - your comments crack me up! Glad you had a good Thanksgiving. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

[Sambo V.]

It's about time the rest of the world had a good taste of your childhood writing! I am so proud of you and happy for your writing success. I love you sister!

[Stacey]

What a page turner, Frema!! I'm looking forward to next week's installment. :)

[Lost A Sock]

I totally love this storyline. It totally reads just like the other teen drama books I loved so dearly as a pre-teen. How I would flip to find a copy of "Satin Slippers: To Be A Dancer" again. Ahhhhh.

I also love the way age seventeen means being a big boy and picking up the pieces of your mistakes. Bwa!

Finally, I got a real kick out of Jenna knows without being told, that they "created a daughter." Ultrasound - $400; Visit with an OBGYN - $200; Introspective knowledge of a boyfriend-stealing teenager - priceless.

[Lost A Sock]

Also? I isn't big on proofreading.

Doh.

[Luke]

I wonder if ol' David would work at McDonald's day and be one the workers on those commercials that talks about what a supportive family the place is for its employees.

[Isabel]

I love how they aren't that worried about being 17 and HAVING A BABY.

And sitting in bed calling yourself a "mommy to be"? Yeah, I never did that. I swear.

I also never wrote out "Mrs. King" before I got married. I swear.