Trailer Park Princess

by Steele, Delia

  Chapter Thirty

  The rest of the pregnancy goes pretty normal. I go to the doctor with Rome in tow. I don’t think he has missed a single appointment. I found out, since I had known him, he had one girlfriend and she got to serious so he cut her lose, claiming he wasn’t ready to settle down. He had a few one night stands but nothing worth writing home about. It made me feel better knowing he had a semi life but it hurt because he didn’t tell me about it. Like he was ashamed, and it hurt because for some reason I felt jealous. If he was active why had he refused me that night? I tried to mess with him, I wanted him, I remember that much. I feel like such a leech, draining him. I kept myself busy working hard, singing at Reds, and preparing for the baby. We had one awkward conversation about the baby’s name. But he never said much about it, just smiled and claimed it was beautiful because I picked it. We gathered supplies for her, got a daycare lined up, and the boys are all three boys were adjusting well. Life is pretty good right now. I am slowly letting go of Toby but I am not there yet. Rome has been amazing to me, I will never be able replay him. As for Amandolette, I was worried about nothing. She ended up calling me the next day and talked my head off for hours about everything in her life, only stopping to cry, and tell me how she missed me so much it made her sick. We talked every day after that.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Looking around this house my heart beats a hard, sharp, erratic thud. Everything is beautiful. It’s not a new house, it has its problems but it’s a house, my house, our house. It’s everything I ever wanted. Three huge bedrooms, two living spaces, two bathrooms, and don’t get me started on the kitchen. It has the cutest design. It almost looks like The Diner, actually. All the black and white checkered tiles, red accents everywhere, and white appliances, it is perfect. I can see myself fixing the boys a great supper in here every night, reaching down and patting my stomach, my little helper well on the way. I never saw myself having a family of my own ever, little lone before I was 21. We may be the weirdest blended family in the world, but we are a family. Rome done a great job finding a place we could afford together. He didn’t want the baby to grow up in the trailer park and I was grateful when he suggested it, because I didn’t want her there either. I still have trouble believing Carol just left without any word, I mean she was never a mother but she was always the dead weight that moved us all over the place ever few months. Who knew me getting knocked up would be the thing that ran her off. She cracked me up when she made the comment about not taking care of my kid so I could whore around, I’m pretty sure that had been my roll since the day Thaxton was born. I just never thought she would miss this. Even the smartest of us can be stupid, right?

  With all the rooms unpacked and everything in its place it all came together. We’ve only been here a few months but it feels like forever. I won’t ever leave here. Rome has his room with his huge bed at the back of the house and I have mine equipped with my twin bed and a brand new shiny crib for the k mart. It was the one thing Rome refused to let me buy from a thrift store, due to safety recalls so he claimed. I believe it had more to do with how often I ogled it when we went in to grab the must haves. It was beautiful. Thax housed the 3rd bedroom, being the oldest boy he needed his own space and the two younger seemed fine by it. Besides how could they not be? They ended up with the biggest room of everyone. We used the 2nd living space for a room for them. They didn’t have a door but they had huge open space between their two twin beds and lots of toys between the two of them. They had taken the sheets and made a fort from one bed to the other using the dresser in the center, it was so cute to watch them light up and know they were safe.

  The outside was nothing grand but I loved it just as much. White chipped paint with a small porch. The whole yard had a busted up picket fence that needed lots of tlc, and the backyard was just big enough to put a tire swing up. The point is it had a backyard, one where used needles from a junkie next door would never be found. No broken beer bottles, no cussing baby daddy getting busted with his pants down, and no bad guys roaming freely looking for a fresh kill. The kids could play here and be safe.

  I need to get up and wake Rome, but I had to make sure before I bothered him, he worked late last night and he works so hard to make sure we can afford this. Between my full time, new title at The Diner, and his work at the shop along with the night singing, we were making ok money. Plus Mrs. Raiz gives me anything left over to bring home every night or if it’s close to expiration date. That helps with our groceries. Another sharp pain hits and I look up at the clock, yep they’re close now. I put my glass in the sink and make my way back to Rome’s room. I’m not even sure how I am staying so calm. I guess maybe I have rattled on so long about useless facts, I’ve ran my well dry.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  I stare at the ceiling while the doctors and nurses talk about whatever it is they chatter about. In the background I can hear the heart monitor beeping, the machine to measure my contractions, but all I see is a crazy Rome jumping up screaming, pulling three boys in three directions, and putting my bag in the car only to leave me standing on the porch as he backed out the driveway. It took him about three minutes before he realized he had left me and he backed up and jumped out yelling and pulling at his hair. I can still see me standing on the porch laughing at him in whirlwind with my head thrown back. I was in such a euphoric mood, it was like a dream. I’m jerked back to reality when the next contraction hits and out of nowhere Rome is at my side, talking to me in an almost whisper, and rubbing small circles on side. “Mando just woke up, she will be here shortly.” He said calmly. Thank heavens for winter break she was still home. She only had a few days before she would head back out.

  The next hour proved to be the hardest. The doctor looking at me thru the bends of my legs stated “I do believe we have a little girl ready to say hello” I was just about to refuse when two things happened at one time. First the ripping pain was ruthless, it hit with such a force I had no choice but to push and the second was the door banging open so fast and so hard it hit the wall behind it and I was sure if left a hole “I’m here, I’m here let’s have my baby already what are we waiting for!” Mando squealed taking in the scene. “Ha! Rory I see your Coochie and there is a head in it.” she clapped her hands together jumping up and down. The nurse tried to push her out the door and I screamed mid push “No she’s the godmother, she has to be here.” the nurse stopped pushing and Mando shook her off “And Mando watch your mouth, if her head is out she can hear you!” I barely got it out between pushing and trying to breath, everyone started laughing at me for worrying about my baby hearing anything.

  I’ve always heard labor is bad but I can’t even remember it now, as I watch over my shoulder at Rome holding a tiny bundle swaddled in pink. He is talking softly to her and telling her how he will always keep her safe, and I know he will. “Ok Ok my turn Romeo, give me my baby.” Mando demanded with her arms stuck out. We had our turn it was only fair she was next. She walked over beside me and Rome snapped a picture. “You two enjoy her for a minute, I am going to call Thax let him and my mini me’s know everything is good. Need anything Princess?” I shook my head no and smiled, his mirrored mine as he stepped outside. “Hey Rory want me to go get the boys and bring them here?” it was sweet she asked but if everything goes ok I would be going home tomorrow, everything had went smooth and her apgars were high. “No, but would you do me the biggest favor ever? And stay at the house tonight? I really doubt Rome is going to leave her.” As I point to over towards them the door opens and he smiles again, lighting his path holding his arms out “Sure Rory I can do that for ya.” she answers. “Give me my baby Amandolette and what are you doing for Princess? I could do it, if I needed to.” I kind of love how they all keep calling her their baby. This kid will have more love in her life than I ever did. “Well Rome, I just agreed to stay the night with the boys so you could stay here. But if you rather leave I can stay!” she said smiling real big. I knew she was just joshing him
. “Hell No! I ain’t leaving here till my girls do.” he dropped his tone when she jumped in his arms from the noise, no sooner than he started cooing over her she calmed back down. “And stop calling me Romeo you crazy Mexican.”

  The Raiz’s stopped by and brought gifts as well as Mando’s eager grandmother, she had made me a hand crocheted blanket for the baby and it was perfect. After their short visit we were alone. Outside a few visits from the nurse the night went smooth. I woke up a few times when I heard the whimpering but Rome had her snuggled up and tended to. “You ok?” I asked him and he didn’t even realize I was awake “Yea Princess we’re good.” he was still smiling so big, his face has to hurt. “Go back to sleep, I got her. She’s changed, feed, I think she is just checking it all out now.” he held the pacifier in her mouth and barely bounced her. I snuggled up under the covers and almost dozed off till I realized come 8 a.m I would be filling out the forms for her birth certificate. I don’t even know if I want to put Toby on it, at this point.

  ****

  The sun crept through the curtains and I sat up. Looking around, finding Rome sitting in the chair with a sleeping baby on his chest! He was barely patting her back and signing to her. It was a wonderful site. I look up at the TV and see its on sports network. My heart stops when I see the purple and yellow uniforms on the screen. Rome looks at me to smile but stops and looks up when he sees my face. “Princess I am so sorry, I didn’t know. I just turned the TV on to check the scores earlier and forgot all about it when she woke up.” He stands up and lays her in my arms. “I’ll go get you a soda, be right back.” And he steps out. I know it’s to give me a minute because now Toby is being interviewed, I shouldn’t even watch it. But we torture ourselves! He is stating in the interview about how great he feels to be leading the team to the championship. He even states “This is the happiest I have ever been in my life, I have everything I ever wanted or needed.” Then it happens. He pulls a girl up to him, she wraps her long legs around his waist, and deep throats him right there on the spot. The screen zooms back and he lets her slide down his body. The Screen flashes something about the future Mrs. West and I look at her. A six foot tall, leggy, fake boobed, blonde, and huge oceanic blue eyes even covered in makeup she is stunning. She is sporting a denim skirt, way to small jersey that says ‘Future Mrs. West’ , her butt cheeks are hanging out the bottom, and the slit in the front of the jersey show off all the boobs she can. She says “Best day of our lives.” and Toby shakes his head in agreement. I never noticed Rome back but he slides in behind me and hugs me tight, the tears are pouring, and I look down at the beautiful baby in my arms. “It’s ok, baby girl, we got you.” And I hear Rome in a soft tone “Yes we do, and Princess I got you, it’s ok.” I smile over my shoulder at him and hug him close. “I Know.” And right then something in me changed, the land shifted, my heartfelt whole, and the darkness I had was sinking away. Thanks to this child and this man right here, I knew I was going to be ok. Rob went to the rest room and the doctor came and went. “Soon as I fill out her birth certificate, we can leave. I already have the discharge papers and we are good to go.” I was glad my stay was short. I wanted to be home with my boys, all of them. The lady comes in with a short form. “Fill this out and sign here, then drop it by the desk on the way out.” She popped her gum and was gone. I looked down.

  Bio Mom.. My names was filled in there already

  Bio Dad.. was blank.. so I filled in Tobias West. It was only right.

  A deep breathe I moved on to see the other information was already done. Date of Birth, weight, etc. The last thing I had to give her was a name. I printed it perfect across the form slowly and smiled at Rome as he helped me stand, grabbing the carrier to leave. He hugged me close and we walked out the door. At the counter I handed the form to a nurse and she smiled at the name.

  Given Birth Name:: TOBI-SAIGE WEST

  “Beautiful name for a beautiful baby. Good luck you two.” She smiled and we walked off heading home, to our family.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  “Ok so I had this idea.” I say to Rome as I sit and watch him feed Saige across the couch from me “and I ran it by the Raiz and they loved it.” My eyes go big with excitement. “Ok, well spit it out Princess.” He urges me on. “Did you know you can make change for a dollar 293 different ways?” he looks up at me smiling, while removing the bottle and laying her over his shoulder to burp her. “Stop stalling Rory, what did you do?” I hear the little burp she lets out and we both smile. He is amazing with her. “You know we are always slow on Thursday nights and well I mentioned, like in laughing, I mentioned an open mic night and well. Well they took me serious and they are going to do it.” I watch him nervously “That’s a great idea, why do you seem so nervous?” I scrunch my eyes almost closed and blurt out “because I signed you to play the first gig of the night.” When I open my eyes he is smiling at me “OK, sounds fun!” I fall back over the arm “Oh My Taco you’re not mad?” shaking his head no “How could I be? I love to play you know that. It’s fine I would do anything to make sure it’s a hit. I will even leave word with Red so he can tell a few of the calmer people who enjoy my music, maybe they will pick up some new local artist as well.” That went better than I expected.

  ****

  This is the 4th week of Open mic night and everything is going great, this is now one of our busiest nights. I decided to start working it, because the tips are too great to give up and Rome along with our four pod is here in their usual booth. I take my break when he plays, so I can do two things. Enjoy him playing and help Thax with the three younger ones, I never want him to fill like he is meant to parent them at any point. He doesn’t mind, he is very dutiful to them all, and the sitter usually says he helps her the whole time, no matter how many times she tells him go have fun. I can’t help but think we are doing a pretty good job these days. I am excited to hear the good news tonight, apparently Mando’s parents want to talk to me, I am hoping for another raise. Rome’s the last to play tonight and after he is done the kids are enjoying a slice of pie, while he helps break everything down. I finish my clean up and as I am taking off my apron, Mrs. Raiz touches my arm. “Don’t leave until we lock up, it won’t be but a few minutes mijo.” I notice one of the last two guys leaving is Zac, Toby’s friend. He is staring a hole through me as he passes a tiny clear bag to the other guy. I look behind to see what he is staring at and I see Saige. He doesn’t say anything but the look on his face tells me all I need to know. He grew up with Toby and I know he is trying to figure it out. I whip around and start gathering our things, I want to avoid him. I actually feel like I may be hiding her at this point. I never want Saige to feel the hate from the horrible people I did. I feel him before he speaks and I turn as he lays his hand on my shoulder “You ok?” I shake my head yea and help Saige down from the booster chair pulling the sugar packets from her before she makes a mess. “Just tired let’s go home.” I give a smile, that’s completely fake and he knows it. Bending his head he leaves a sweet gentle kiss on my forehead. “Let’s go everyone’s outside waiting on you.” I had forgotten about the good news. I walk out the door hearing the ding I still adore. I look around and notice the parking lot is now empty. The kids are running wild and Mr. & Mrs. Raiz are standing between their car and a black suv, smiling. “Come on guys let’s get you buckled in.” I hear Rome say behind me and I turn to him “I will be right back. I need to see what they wanted to tell me.” I walk over towards them and I notice her smile is getting bigger. “Sorry y’all we have to get the kids home, it’s late and the boys have school tomorrow. What was it you needed to tell me?” I look between the two as I wait. It’s Mr. Raiz that steps forward “Well Rory, you’ve been with us a very long time now, and you have been wonderful with Amandolette. She calls you her sister and it’s true, you are. We love you more than just an employee and you know that.” He looks back at his wife and she gives me a downward head shake to let me know she agrees. “We love your daughter like a grandchi
ld and the boys all three just the same. We have always loved Rome, he is a good man. You both work so hard, to give those boys a good life. When anyone else, would have sent them into foster care, so they could live their lives, and because you two are trying so hard and being so selfless.” He looks back again and they both smile these huge toothy smiles that are infectious “We wanted to do something, to show you how proud we are of the two of you.” He holds out his hand and drops something into mine. Looking at it I am confused. Its two keys and two keyless clickers “What’s this?” I say looking up through my lids still trying to click the pieces together. “This honey is for your new truck.” Mrs. Raiz smiles and moves to the side moving her arm up and down like Vanna White “Oh my Gosh!” I say jumping and squealing “Rome, They got us a truck!” I hug them both because this just made life so much easier for us. “Wow, that’s really nice.” He says as he walks around it, I click unlock on the key fob and he opens a door. “It’s not new but it checked out to be in perfect working order.” Mr. Raiz tells him now walking around the truck beside him and they lift the hood “it is a v8 but gas won’t be an issue with Rory getting on the The Diner credit card.” He looks over at me and smiles “Excuse me? Why would I be on the card?” they close the hood and walk back towards me “Well Rory you needed a truck big enough to haul your whole family safely, as well as, once a week now you will be in charge of the new Nursing Program and Shelter Program. We decided it’s time to give back, so we will be sending plate lunches over to the nursing home and the children’s shelter and this truck will help haul them all over. So we will be putting gas in this bad boy for you.” He pats the side of the truck, it really is beautiful. Black on black all leather and shiny wheels. “I love it, thank you so much.” I hug them both extra tight. “And we love you Rory, always will. Now get on those kids home, they need sleep.” I smile back at them and scream “Who wants to ride with me, in the new truck?” Everyone but Rome and Saige, who’s already strapped into a 5 star harness seat, fly across the lot and pile in. I jump up in the driver’s seat hit the auto window to roll it down, I wave at them and we pull out with the radio blaring. Life is really looking up, I bet Mando already knows, heck she likely gave them the idea but I am busting at the seams to call her, and get crazy girlie about my new to me truck. I pull up at home and my phone beeps, I swear she can read my mind.