Unplanned Love (Savage Love)

by Woody, Jodi

  “Not really, my little sister is. They are more alike. Things kind of got worse when I got into high school. I joined the swim team and mom was hoping that I would be on the cheer squad like she was in high school…” Alyssa shared.

  “That’s why you swim like a fish!” joked Seanna.

  “I took first at State two years in a row. I even got a scholarship to college. I guess my parents were pretty proud of that, even if it wasn’t exactly the way they wanted me to excel, they were happy that I had gotten recognition for my swimming.”

  “So where are you going to school?” Seanna inquired.

  “…I’m not,” she said quietly.

  “What happened?” asked Seanna gently.

  “My last quarter of senior year, I met this really great guy where I volunteered at the food pantry. He was already graduated, but working for a year before he went to school. Jeff was funny and everybody just loved him. It wasn’t long before we started dating. My parents weren’t too thrilled about it. Jeff’s parents were just middle class and I guess they had their doubts that he would ever go to college. Anyway, we ended up getting pretty serious pretty fast. About two months before graduation…I found out I was pregnant. Jeff was great about it all. He offered to continue working and forget about college so that he could support us. But my parents freaked. They said that I had ruined my life and my chances for college. Soon they had me convinced that I was ruining Jeff’s future as well…” Alyssa had tears in her eyes and Seanna just gave her a minute.

  “I tried to talk to Jeff about it, but he just got mad at my parents. He was determined that we could make it all work. I guess I was just scared. As time went on I knew I’d be showing soon and I had to decide what I was going to do…one day I just lost it. I was scared and tired of fighting with my parents and with Jeff…so I made an appointment to get an abortion. Mom took me and tried to make me feel better about it all. A couple of days later when I told Jeff, he was furious. That was the last time I ever talked to him. He never answered my calls or the letter I sent him to apologize. By the time graduation rolled around I was in depression and my grades had dropped. I lost my scholarship because my GPA wasn’t high enough.”

  “The next year was pretty much hell…the abortion was supposed to secure a promising future for me, but instead I lost Jeff, my scholarship and the baby. If I hadn’t met Lucille, I’m not sure what I would have done. After overdosing on the drugs they had given me for depression my parents were at a loss as to what to do with me. At a meeting for people who had been affected by abortion I met her. Two weeks later I was living with them. And long story short, now I am trying to allow God to heal me.”

  “So you’ve given your heart over to God?” asked Seanna.

  “Yeah, about a week into living with Lucille and Bryson. They were so loving and accepting, I guess that’s what I needed. The softer my heart got, the more I wanted to have what they had. The hardest part was forgiving myself…” Alyssa said.

  “That’s what my mom says too. She was only seventeen and still in high school when she had me. She lost her whole family over it. Her parents were super religious and were mortified that she had had sex with a boy from our Church,” Seanna shared.

  “At least she kept you…” said Alyssa.

  “But God doesn’t want you to beat yourself up about it,” said Seanna firmly.

  “I know…” Alyssa answered.

  “So did you talk to Bryce about any of this?” Seanna asked.

  “No! I didn’t want to be trapped on an Island with someone who couldn’t stand the sight of me,” she exclaimed.

  “Bryce isn’t like that at all. He’s actually the first person I ever told that I thought my dad was gay. He’s a good listener and he doesn’t judge. That’s why I am excited that we get to keep him now that Mom and Daffyd are making it official!” Seanna said smiling.

  “If you want to tell him, that’s fine by me, but I don’t think I could handle it. What about Kevin, is he a good listener?” asked Alyssa.

  “Well …no, he isn’t really! But he is cute and lots of fun!” joked Seanna, trying to make light of it.

  “Is he the one?” Alyssa asked with her eyebrows up.

  “Too soon to tell. He’s the first person I’ve ever really dated…so I guess time will tell,” she finally answered.

  “Personally I think you have to go through some crap to really know what a person is like,” said Alyssa seriously.

  “I think you may be right. Mom and Daffyd have had their share and I guess that’s why we are all so close. We’ve been to hell and back and come out stronger and closer for having made it through,” Seanna replied.

  “Lucille always tells me, ‘you may be going through hell, but just don’t stop and put up a tent’!” laughed Alyssa.

  “That’s a good one. I’ll have to remember that.” Seanna chuckled.

  “Hey, shouldn’t you be hanging out with the hot guy you came in with?” Alyssa commented.

  “Yeah…I guess somebody has to do it…” Alyssa pushed Seanna off the bed with her feet and Seanna laughingly scooted into her flip flops and headed out the door. “See you at dinner!”

  After Seanna left, Alyssa decided to take a walk. She found Lucille, Sally and Samantha on the pier under the gazebo. The three older women were talking animatedly and she hated to interrupt. Deciding to just walk past the pier and continue around the island she was caught off guard when Samantha called her over.

  “Care to join us for some iced tea?” asked Samantha.

  “I don’t want to interrupt,” replied Alyssa.

  “We were just going over some of the wedding plans,” answered Lucille. “Did you kids have a good time this morning out in the water?”

  “We had so much fun that we wore ourselves out!” she laughed.

  “How did Kevin like snorkeling?” Samantha inquired.

  “He ended up not going. He told Bryce that he was too tired and would go next time,” she said. Lucille and Samantha exchanged a look that Alyssa happened to catch. “So, tomorrow there is another batch coming in?”

  “Both Pastor’s and their wives, and the nurse that helped with Daffyd last Christmas with her husband,” said Samantha.

  “Both Pastors?” asked Alyssa.

  “Well, I have a pastor in Wisconsin, and then we all have a pastor in Montana as well,” explained Samantha.

  “She just wanted a double blessing on her wedding,” teased Grandma Sally.

  “Can you blame me? After all the stuff we’ve been through!”

  “The wedding is going to be lovely. We are getting married right out here on the pier. Tomorrow we’ll start setting up. There will be Japanese lanterns hanging around the gazebo, and some strung along the wooden planks along the pier. Even with two pastors the ceremony will be short and sweet but we are still going to have some chairs set up for anyone who might not want to stand,” said Samantha.

  “She means for all of us old folks,” laughed Lucille.

  “Seanna showed me her dress. It’s beautiful. She reminds me of a fairy tale princess. I can’t wait to see yours,” said Alyssa.

  “You know, in all this planning, I haven’t heard you mention a photographer,” said Sally.

  “Daffyd is weird about having his picture taken…” Samantha left off, not sure of how much information she should share with Alyssa.

  “But it’s your wedding day!” Alyssa exclaimed.

  “We’ll have someone snap some pictures. Bryce said you have been taking a ton since Daffyd purchased you that camera. Daffyd won’t mind some pictures taken by one of us,” Lucille quickly replied.

  “Wow, no pressure,” she laughed. “I’d feel better if you had a professional.”

  “We wouldn’t though,” assured Samantha. “Besides we also grabbed some cheap disposable ones for everyone to take pictures afterward for our party. I can’t call it a reception…it’s more like a get-together of family and friends.”

  “Oh, pooh. We are going
to have food and music in the open dining hall and I for one intend to do a little dancing!” said Sally.

  “I think it sound great,” said Alyssa. “I’m glad I get to be here…”

  “So are we! How did you and my daughter hit it off?” asked Samantha.

  “Like we’ve known each other for years,” answered Alyssa with a smile.

  “Well, then it is official,” said Samantha.

  “What’s that?” asked Alyssa.

  “That’s how we all felt about one another when we all first met, so that makes you one of the family!” Samantha explained.

  “If you can handle this crazy bunch,” laughed Lucille.

  “Amen!” joined in Sally.

  Chapter 6

  A Snake in Paradise

  As Seanna drew near to Kevin’s cabana she could hear him talking to someone. Good…maybe he won’t be mad if Bryce is hanging out with him. I should have paid attention to what time it was, but I’m glad Alyssa felt comfortable enough with me to share. Coming around the corner she spotted Kevin on his veranda swinging in the hammock. He was facing the building so he didn’t spot her right away.

  “Ok, we’re all set then?...This will be a great wedding surprise!...” Kevin wasn’t visiting with Bryce, but was on his cell phone. When Seanna stepped up the steps he caught her out of the corner of his eye and quickly cut the call short.

  “A wedding surprise…what are you up to Mr.?” she teased.

  He grabbed her and pulled her into the hammock managing to keep them from flipping. “How much did you hear?”

  “The word’s ‘wedding’ and ‘surprise’,” she said kissing him.

  “Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, now would it?” he said kissing her back.

  “Sorry I’m so late. Alyssa and I were getting to know each other,” she explained.

  “What’s up with her anyway?” he asked.

  “What do you mean,” she said defensively.

  “She’s not very affectionate to Bryce,” he said.

  “Why would she be?” Seanna asked confused.

  “Didn’t she come with him?” asked Kevin beginning to feel confused himself.

  “Oh, you thought she was a friend of Daffyd’s. Actually she came with his grandparents. She was having some issues…and Lucille and Bryson are helping her out. She’s living with them right now,” Seanna said like it was no big deal.

  “Are they ‘saving’ her,” he teased.

  “If you’re asking if she is saved, then yes,” she said irritated.

  “Don’t get all balled up, I’m just teasing,” he laughed.

  “I just don’t think it’s funny, Kevin. My relationship with God isn’t a joke and Bryson and Lucille have done a lot to help Alyssa. She’s been through some junk lately,” she tried to explain.

  “Who hasn’t,” he snorted.

  “That’s just the point, we all need Him,” she said looking him in the eyes.

  “Look, just forget I said anything. I think it’s great that people find something that helps them through the tough stuff. I’m just not sure that I can buy into it all,” said Kevin looking away.

  “That’s what Daffyd used to say…” Seanna replied.

  “Well, I say, let’s go eat. All that snorkeling has burned up breakfast and lunch!” he said as he tipped her out of the hammock.

  “Hey!” she laughed. I just had a hard time staying mad at that man.

  “Let’s go beautiful,” he said taking her hand and leading her down the stairs.

  Thursday at sunset they all were sitting on the beach with blankets and lounge chairs. Daffyd had brought a guitar and soon they were singing all those goofy camp fire songs. Alyssa taught them a new one about slimy fish and itchy rash. Sally laughed so hard she was crying. Even Kevin joined in on the ones he knew. Seanna was surprised that he sang rather well. Between Daffyd and Kevin you could hardly notice her off key voice and Bryce’s scratchy one. Needing to catch their breath, Daffyd started playing just some random melodies on the guitar. By the time the sun was down and it was fully dark, staff had lit some torches and Daffyd was playing “How He Love Me”.

  “Can you sing that one for us Daffyd?” asked Seanna.

  Daffyd played slow and soft and sang the lyrics to Seanna’s favorite Christian song. By the time he was done singing everyone was quiet. Alyssa had tears in her eyes and Kevin sat uncomfortably next to Seanna. Seeing how the song had affected Alyssa, Bryce reached over patted her leg, giving her an encouraging smile.

  “Wow, you can sing, Daffyd,” said Kevin breaking the peaceful silence.

  “Thank you,” Daffyd replied.

  “Have you ever thought about doing it for a living?” Kevin asked.

  “Kevin, why don’t we go and see if we can rummage up something to snack on,” said Seanna pulling him up off of the sand by his arm.

  “Ok!” he laughed, “Gotta feed the beast.”

  “You can’t really be hungry again,” Kevin demanded as they were far enough away not to be overheard.

  “You’re right,” she said pulling him along.

  “So what’s up?” he asked.

  “I just wanted us to have some alone time. We’ve hardly been able to get a few minutes since we got here,” she said covering her tracks, besides now that she’d mentioned it, she really did want some time just the two of them.

  “What did you have in mind,” he asked stopping her and turning her around to face him.

  “We can take a walk on the beach, the moon is bright tonight,” she suggested.

  “Or you can come back to my cabana and we can talk,” he countered.

  “If you’re content to lie in the hammock and not go inside,” she replied.

  “Ok…hammock it is,” he chuckled.

  As soon as Seanna had dragged Kevin away glances were exchanged and several people heaved relieved sighs.

  “Did I miss something?” asked Alyssa.

  “Do you mind, Uncle Daffyd?” asked Bryce.

  Daffyd shot a questioning look towards his parents and Lucille smiled and gave a small nod.

  “Well, let’s just say that up until recently I was in the music industry,” said Daffyd vaguely.

  “Oh…I’m thinking you don’t want people to know that,” she ventured.

  “Not especially,” he replied.

  “Is that why I’m taking pictures tomorrow?” she said finally understanding his reluctance to have a professional photographer.

  “Yep!” said Bryce.

  “I’m just not sure I can trust Seanna’s boyfriend yet,” said Daffyd. “So if you could keep it to yourself…”

  “Sure…but why trust me?” she asked.

  “Well, my Mom and Dad do and Bryce and Seanna both have good things to say about you,” explained Daffyd.

  “Thanks,” she said humbly. “I’ll do my best with the pictures tomorrow!”

  “As much fun as this has been, and it has been fun, I think I am taking this old body to bed,” said Sally as she stood up out of her chair. ‘

  “We’ll walk with you,” suggested Bryson giving his arm to his wife.

  “Alyssa, would you like to take a walk along the beach,” asked Bryce.

  “I’d love to,” she said hopping up off of the blanket.

  As soon as they were gone, Daffyd grabbed Samantha and gave her a big sloppy kiss. “Are you ready for the big day?”

  “I’ve been ready, remember I was willing to have Pastor Bill marry us the day after Christmas,” she reminded him.

  “Do you regret waiting?” he asked concerned.

  “Oh, Daffyd, no! Tomorrow will be wonderful and tomorrow night will be even better. Our first night in the same bed…” she said wistfully.

  “So you’ve forgotten already…” he said dramatically.

  “Forgotten what?” she asked smiling at his theatrics.

  “The night we spent together at Mountain home…”

  “Do you mean the night that you were so sick that y
ou could barely move and used that for an excuse for me to stay in your room?” she said shaking her head.

  “Yeah, that wonderful night,” he said kissing her again.

  “I have a suspicion that our wedding night will be a little more special,” she said kissing him back.

  Seanna had taken Kevin at his word and had tried to have a meaningful conversation with him. Obviously he had something else in mind when he had suggested ‘talking’. Not that she minded kissing him, he was a good kisser. But this was the most secluded they had been since they started dating. She had always refused to go to his apartment and made it a point of not allowing him into her dorm room. She forgot how far away his cabana was from all the others. Now with nobody around he was getting a little aggressive in his affection. Finally out of breath and feeling a little uncomfortable, she pushed away from him, causing the hammock to sway.

  “Kevin…” she said breathlessly.

  “What’s the matter, Babe?” he asked as he pulled the strap of her sundress down off of her shoulder.

  “Stop,” she said and pulled the strap back up.

  “I’ve been pretty patient, Seanna,” he said quietly, rubbing her upper arm.

  “I know you have, but I’ve been honest with you. I am not going to sleep with you,” she reminded him.

  “Who said anything about sleeping?” he asked in a husky voice.

  “Kevin…please,” she tried again.

  “Fine.” He let go of her and got out of the hammock so fast that he dumped her out on the veranda.

  “Ow,” she said. “What the heck, Kevin.”

  “I think you should go,” he said angrily. “I’m going to bed, to sleep.” He slammed into his cabana leaving Seanna sitting under the hammock.

  She couldn’t hold back the tears and crying picked herself up and began walking in the moonlit night. She was still crying when Alyssa came in. Alyssa didn’t say anything and went into the bathroom to get ready for bed, but when she came out Seanna was sitting up and blowing her nose loudly.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” asked Alyssa sitting on the bed next to the pile of wet Kleenex.

  “Kevin can be such a jerk,” she said between blows.