by S. E. Law
“Truce?” I say.
She shoots me a look that I can’t interpret.
“Of course, Kays. I love you, and you know that”
Suddenly, Olly leans forward and gives me a fierce hug.
“BFFs forever, girlfriend. I’ll see you tomorrow at school?”
“You got it,” I smile back.
But as we get into our respective cars, I can’t help feeling that something’s changed in our relationship. Could Olly be right about Elliot? Why would she say something like that anyways?
I turn the key in the ignition, and pull my car onto the road. Only time will tell, although my heart is considerably heavier now.
7
Kaylee
One year later.
My next-door neighbor, Miss Ellie, takes Ezra’s tiny fist and moves it up and down so I can pretend my son is waving at me. I can’t believe Ezra’s already three months old. It feels like he was born just yesterday, and it feels too early for me to go back to work. But a girl has to do what she has to do. Someone’s got to buy diapers and formula, and that person is me.
Waving back at my baby, I start the car and pull away from the trailer before I start to cry. I’ve been back with Sparkle Maids for a couple of weeks now, ever since my maternity leave ended, but it’s still hard for me to leave Ezra. My son is everything to me.
He’s all I have left, in fact.
My graduation tassel hangs from my rearview mirror. It’s a reminder of where I was a year ago. It seems like another lifetime, to be honest. I was a high school senior with a smile on my face and a big secret in the back of my mind. No one knew I was pregnant when I walked across the stage and accepted my diploma. Well, Olly did, but no one else because I kept it a hidden for as long as I could.
I was obviously trying to avoid the inevitable questions about the baby’s paternity.
Even now, the thought makes tears come to my eyes. I try not to think about what happened, and how wrong I was about everything, but the sadness is overwhelming sometimes.
Get a grip, the voice in my head scolds. You made a mistake, Kaylee, but you have to keep going for your son, if no one else.
I force myself not to think about my dire circumstances. And it’s not that bad, right? At least I have a beautiful baby boy now, even if he looks so much like his father that it breaks my heart. His eyes seem to be Elliot’s eyes with their startling blue color, and even some of Ezra’s expressions remind me of the man that I fell for.
But Elliot’s old history now, and I have to live with that, even if it hurts. After all, Olly was right about Elliot. After that magical lunch at his mansion, he never called. It was total radio silence, and I was confused at first. We had a connection. There was no way he was ignoring me.
I tried calling Elliot every day for two weeks, but he was never available. Evidently, rich people have others to answer the phone for them, and the woman on his side always murmured, “I’m so sorry, but Mr. Connery isn’t available right now. Would you like to leave a message?”
No, there was no message. I merely mumbled my name and number for the umpteenth time, and then hung up with a heavy heart. Finally, after two weeks of doing this, it was clear. I’d been hoodwinked, as Olly had surmised, and meant nothing to this powerful man. Maybe a bit of fun and games, but that time was over now.
I fell into a deep depression immediately. I didn’t want to eat or go to school. Even Home Ec was nothing but a drag, and the school actually called my mom because they were concerned about my mental state. Of course, Coralie didn’t bother to listen. So long as I paid the rent with my wages from Sparkle Maids, it was all good. I could graduate or not graduate, it didn’t matter to her.
I started taking more jobs with Sparkle Maids because the mindless work took me away from my problems. I scoured dishes until my hands were red and chapped. My knees and back were sore from kneeling on the floor so much, and I’d given up doing my hair and make-up whatsoever. There was no need to look nice because there was no one to appreciate my effort.
But one day, as I cleaned the windows at a job, a thought struck. I hadn’t gotten my period that month yet. Odd. I made a mental note to check my calendar because I’m usually like clockwork. My flow comes every month, without fail. Maybe I was just a bit late.
But it didn’t come, and with growing horror, I realized that it hadn’t come the last month either. I just didn’t notice because I’d been in such a bad state, mentally. In a near panic, I called Olly. My friend’s the one who kept me calm and who took me to the pharmacy a couple towns over so I could buy a test without anyone in Millbrook seeing me.
It came back positive, and soon, my life utterly changed. Even my problems with Elliot were dwarfed. Now, I was going to have his child.
Ezra is the sweetest thing, and he gives me meaning in life. But I have to work to keep him in diapers and formula. As a result, I’ve been working even more in a desperate attempt to build a life for me and my baby. Sometimes it seems hopeless as a single parent, but Ezra and I make do. He’s not old enough to realize how little we have, and his smile makes me light up from within.
My car putters along, and I wonder if today is the day it gives up on me. But no, it keeps going and I pull onto a lushly manicured lane. The house I’m working at today is in the rich part of Millbrook, where it all started. A sad smile crosses my face as I pull into the staff parking area.
My manager, Rebecca is waiting outside for me when I arrive. She already has a sour expression on her face, and my heart drops. Two other maids are already here as well, and I nod at them through my car window. Thankfully, I’m not late. I need this job now more than ever now, with a baby on my hands.
I get out of the car, grabbing my mop and bucket.
“Hi everyone,” I greet. “It’s nice to be back.”
“Welcome,” says Rebecca grudgingly, smoothing her frizzy hair back. “It’s nice to see you again, Kaylee. How’s your baby doing?”
I think for a moment about the sleepless nights, and how Ezra refused to take my milk at first. But then I also remember his downy skin and the soft part of his head which smells like pure baby.
“He’s wonderful,” I say with a gentle smile. “Ezra’s the cutest thing.”
A glimmer of understanding flashes across Rebecca’s face but then she’s all business.
“Okay everyone,” she claps her hands. “Let’s get to work.”
She doles out the work assignments, and I look off into the distance for a moment. The sun is shining even this early in the morning, and the lawn literally sparkles with leftover dew. The house we’re working at is tall and imposing, with white-shuttered windows and a slate grey roof. But it’s remarkably modest for this neighborhood. There are no fancy fountains nor enormous chandeliers peeking from the curtains.
Then, my mind wanders a bit. Maybe it’s the smell of spring in the air, or maybe it’s my broken heart. I wonder if Elliot ever thinks of me. Probably not, to be honest, and my heart drops.
Suddenly, a voice startles me from my reverie.
“Kaylee, are you with us?” Rebecca barks. I jerk back to attention.
“Yeah, sorry. Just lost in thought.”
“Alright. You’re going to be cleaning the master bedroom, including the en suite attached to it. Then, after that, you get the bathroom in the upstairs hallway and the office right across from it. Okay?”
Ugh. This isn’t where I want to be, but my son needs food to eat.
“Sounds good,” I say with fake enthusiasm. “On it, boss!”
I try to look happy, or at least professional, as we march into the home. Thankfully, this house isn’t too big, and the job shouldn’t take more than a few hours.
Once inside the master bathroom, I get to work. I pour bleach into the tub, per usual, and then spray the toilet liberally with an industrial strength cleaner. The flush is loud when I press the handle.
Evidently, a woman lives here because her make-up is scattered all across the counte
r. There are a lot of fancy brands, and she’s pretty careless too. Her mascara is uncapped, leaving ugly black streaks on the marble, and there’s spilled powder from an eyeshadow palette. Small hairs are scattered here and there, and there are a couple of bunched up Kleenexes left lying around. When I throw them in the trash, I spy a used condom inside, limp and damp. Ugh.
I’m all for women’s lib, but unfortunately, my freedom got me nowhere. Instead, now I have a baby, and Ezra is the light of my life. But my chances of leaving Millbrook are virtually nil. I’d had grand dreams before, but they were just that: dreams. Now, I’m tied even tighter to Sparkle Maids, and there are no roads leading me away from the trailer park.
I think of Olly, for a moment. At least my best friend made it out. She’s at Penn State now, and while I know the tuition is a stretch, she got some loans and grants to help her. When we talk on the phone, she tells me that college is just “okay” and that she misses me and Ezra a lot. But I know the truth. She’s just trying to make me feel better. Our paths have diverged, and Olly’s on the up and up, whereas I’m literally a teen mom with very few choices.
But I’m happy for her. Olly was my biggest supporter during my pregnancy, and she never judged me for my actions. Yes, she was right about everything, but she never rubbed it in my face. Instead, she drove me to my doctor’s appointments, and rubbed my back when I sobbed. When my mom went ballistic and tried to convince me to do a termination, Olly stood up for me. She literally screamed right back at Coralie before escorting me out of the trailer. I lived with her and her family for a few weeks during that difficult time.
But September came, and Olly had to move on. I stop for a moment, just thinking about how our lives have diverged. My best friend is taking classes, exploring a college campus, and meeting new people. Meanwhile, here I am on my hands and knees, cleaning a strange person’s bathroom. I have a baby now, with real responsibilities, while my friend has the opportunity to explore young adulthood, and be wild and crazy if she chooses.
Suddenly, a sound startles me from my thoughts, and I poke my head out into the master bedroom to see who it is. I’m expecting a woman, but the woman I see makes me gasp. It’s Brina, the blonde bitch from Elliot’s office the day we met.
What’s she doing here? Is this her house?
My eyes dart to the pictures on the dresser, and I gasp again. Oh my god, this is definitely Brina’s bedroom, and I’m definitely in her bathroom right now. But before I can call out to alert her to my presence, she turns her back on me and starts talking to someone behind her. It’s incredible, but it sounds like she’s trying to come on to whomever it is. Does this woman ever stop?
“Come in,” she breathes heavily, with a coy tone to her voice. “I want to show you something.”
I duck into the bathroom again. I can’t believe this is happening. Just my luck – to be trapped in the middle of another amorous encounter. What if she’s successful this time? What if they start having sex in the bedroom, and I’m here, stuck in the bathroom? What do I do? Climb out the window? But what about my cleaning supplies?
I poke my head out to assess the situation, but then my heart stops in my chest because the man with her is Elliot.
My jaw drops open and an unconscious gasp escapes my lips.
No. It can’t be.
This is my worst nightmare. How can he be dating her? It’s easy to see why she wants him. He’s absolutely gorgeous, just like I remember with his charcoal hair and brilliant blue eyes. His tanned features are sculpted, with a mobile mouth and strong, patrician profile.
But just like last time, Elliot is intent on rejecting Brina.
“I already told you, I’m not interested,” he says.
Brina’s even more aggressive than I remember, maybe because they’re at her house this time.
“Come on, Elliot. Stop playing hard to get. I know you want me as badly as I want you. Here, let me show you something.”
The woman steps further into the master bedroom, and pulls the tie on her dress. It’s a wraparound dress made from slinky material, and when she tugs on the belt at the waist, the material literally slithers off of her shoulders and leaves her totally nude, save for high heels.
“Ooops, I forgot my underwear today!” she giggles, while squeezing her breasts suggestively. “Do you like what you see?”
Elliot’s eyes flare, but I know it’s a flare of disgust, and not one of appreciation. Immediately, he looks to the floor.
“Put your clothes back on, Brina.”
She giggles again, this time flipping her blonde hair over one shoulder. But this woman is not to be stopped. She minces over to the bed in her high heels, and sits down, balancing on the ledge.
“Ohhhh, I know you want it, Elliot. Don’t play hard to get.”
He shakes his head, two harsh streaks decorating his cheekbones.
“I don’t want this,” he begins, but Brina’s in her own world. As we watch, she leans back onto her elbows and lifts her legs high in the air so that they form a perfect vee. The toes of her high heels point at different corners of the room, leaving her pink slit exposed, and as I stare, she literally runs her hands down to her pussy and pulls it apart, showing Elliot her gaping hole.
“Here it is,” she purrs. “This is what you want, isn’t it? Take what belongs to you, big boy.”
As I watch, her pussy lips swell and pulse, her clit rigid with arousal already.
But Elliot is a man with iron control. He turns his head away and grits his teeth. A look of disgust covers his face.
“Stop this, Brina. I only came to your bedroom because you said you were working late on a project last night, and left your notes up here. Grab the notes and we’ll go. Better yet, I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Brina giggles again, this time while toying with her nub.
“Oooh, that feels so good,” she moans, tilting her head back while her mouth drops open in ecstasy. “I can do something naughty with the notes if you like, Elliot. How about I cram them into my pussy, and you pull them out one by one with your teeth?”
Clearly, this woman is off her rocker. She wants to cram dirty paper into her pussy? Who does that?
Elliot clearly feels the same way. This kink is not getting him off.
“Brina,” he says in a warning tone. “I’m leaving.”
He moves to step back into the hallway, and that brings the blonde woman back to reality. Her legs snap shut and she sits up, pouting.
“You’re such a stick in the mud, Elliot. What’s wrong with you? You need to lighten up. How about some E?” she asks, getting up in the bed. “I know I have some around here. The E will help you feel better, instead of being such a goddamned asshole all the time.”
The blonde woman begins to rummage in her bedside drawer for ecstasy, all the while buck naked. I’m shocked. Brina has really taken the cake. I would never think to offer someone drugs after getting turned down sexually. Where does she even come up with these ideas?
“Stop,” Elliot says. “I don’t need ecstasy. I don’t need anything from you.”
But Brina’s lost in her own world. She pops back up with a clear baggie in her hand. There are an assortment of pills of various shapes and sizes inside, all of which are probably illegal.
“Here we go!” she chirps, fishing around inside. “I think the ecstasy is these small, pink ones, but if they’re not, it’s okay. They have to be an upper of some type. After all, only uppers would be colored pink, right?”
Oh my god, I’m literally witnessing this woman experience a psychotic break. She should be shipped off to a mental hospital because she’s ingesting random drugs without knowing what they are.
Elliot, evidently, is concerned too because with two large strides, he’s by the bed, and he swipes the bag from her hand.
“What are you doing?” she wails. “Why’d you do that?”
He glowers at her.
“Have you gone insane? This isn’t a pharmacy, you know. These ar
e obviously illegal prescription pills and god knows what else.”
She sticks her tongue out, all the while jiggling her boobs at him again. The big orbs dance, and I wonder if they’re filled with silicone.
“You’re such a party pooper!” she squeals. “Party pooper, party pooper!”
I’m thunderstruck. This woman should be fired immediately because she’s cuckoo and clearly under the influence. Something is very wrong with Brina.
“Party pooper!” she cries again, like a wind-up doll. “Boo boo boo!”
Okay, now she’s literally babbling nonsense. It must be the drugs.
“Brina,” Elliot grinds out. “Don’t ever do this again. You know I’m seeing someone and this is not cool under any circumstances. Have you considered checking into rehab? You need professional help.”
I thought this situation was already crazy as is, but at the word “girlfriend,” my heart plummets to the floor. Elliot has a girlfriend, and she’s not me.
Then, I rally and anger starts to seep into my frame. Was he dating her when we slept together? Maybe I was a little “distraction” that got in the way. Well, little distractions become big problems when babies enter the picture.
Brina, of course, isn’t even dissuaded by that comment.
“Oh yeah? What girlfriend? I’ve never ever heard you talk about her before. Boo boo boo!”
Elliot smiles grimly.
“She’s beautiful, Brina. Young and curvy with gorgeous curly hair. Everything about her is natural, which isn’t something I can say about you,” he remarks pointedly, looking at her perfectly round breasts.
Brina isn’t dissuaded. She merely blows him another kiss and squeals, “Boo boo boo!”
“My girlfriend is sweet,” Elliot continues, his gaze taking on a faraway look. “She’s so beautiful, but with a good head on her shoulders too. She has big dreams, and I want to be the one to help her get there. Together, I know we make it work.”
My heart crashes into the floor and I let out a small sob. My hand clutches the bathroom counter so hard that my knuckles are white. He’s everything that I would want in a partner, but his heart belongs to another woman. He’s saying all the right things, but the words are meant for his girlfriend and not me. Tears stream down my face and I sink to my knees on the cold bathroom tile. What did I do to deserve this?