A Life Unplanned

by Rose von Barnsley

  "You could've gotten it from anyone."

  "No, it was you. I'd only ever been with my ex-boyfriend, and I'd been tested after I'd broken up with him. That only left you."

  "You're trying to pin a kid on me and now a disease, too?"

  "Trent!" his mother actually raised her hand. She just held up one finger, and he shut his trap fast.

  "I decided after that mess that I didn't want my son to know someone like him. I'd been angry when I'd made the initial decision, but I stuck with it after I heard how he'd treated another girl named Tiffany."

  His eyes widened for a moment, and then he quickly looked to his lap.

  "Who's Tiffany?" his mother asked looking at him.

  He just shrugged a shoulder.

  "She was a girl who hung out with him and his buddies. She ended up pregnant with his baby as well. He called her all sorts of horrible names, denying the baby was his. He finally insisted she get an abortion, which she did. She attempted suicide two months later."

  "Trent?"

  "You know this is all crap now, Mom. If she supposedly knew this shit, then why would she sleep with me?"

  "I didn't know any of this at the time. I'd had my heart set on talking to Greg Neely, and I was upset when he hooked up with Heather that night at the party and left before I could, so I got drunk, and then I met you. I didn't realize who you were, until I left the next morning, and even then, I didn't know what a huge asshole you were, and still are, apparently," I shook my head. "I was so stupid."

  "That's something we can both agree on," he quipped, and his mother yanked his ear hard, making him let out a girly squeak.

  "Well, Clara, my dear, I can see why you kept your distance from my son. I'd really like to meet my grandchild, though."

  "You don't even know if the kid's mine! She won't let you test it."

  "I'd rather not have Tyler around him," I nodded toward Trent and stood up, taking my leftovers into the kitchen.

  I heard a mumbled fight going on and decided to let them duke it out on their own. I rested my forehead on the cool fridge door, trying to calm myself.

  I heard Trent clear his throat, "So…hey…um…" he started.

  "I don't want you in my son's life."

  "So that one isn't mine?" he said a little too happily, as he pointed to my belly.

  I glared at him. "Neither of them is yours, they're mine. You're just their damn sperm donor. Hell, I'll even be happy to tell the kids I was artificially inseminated, if you'll just leave me the hell alone. We don't need you, and I don't want you, your money, or your family anywhere near us."

  "So you're not going to drop this 'I'm the daddy' charade?"

  "Get out!" I shouted at him.

  Maylene was in the kitchen instantly. I was surprised that she was glaring at her son and not me. "Trent, I asked one thing of you, one damn thing!" When she said damn, his eyes widened, and he looked a little frightened. "You were to make peace with the mother of your children, so I could be a part of my grandbabies' lives!"

  "Mom, I didn't even know her…" he started, but his mother grabbed hold of his ear and had him on his knees in seconds.

  "You may not know her, but I know my grandbaby, and that's him!" she pointed at a picture of Tyler on the fridge. "I was too easy on you. I let you get away with too much, but that stops now!"

  "I really don't want anything..." I made the mistake of butting in.

  "Well, you're getting it, in the form of another grandmother and child support. I completely agree with you on keeping him out of Tyler's life at this point." She released Trent's ear, but when she said those last words, he looked in more pain than before. "I wouldn't want my grandson around him, either. Get the car, Trent, we're leaving," she ordered him. "Clara, please reconsider letting me see my grandbaby."

  I nodded yes, just a little afraid to say otherwise. She smiled and kissed my cheek. "Thank you, dear." She gave my belly a little rub, before she stepped out of my apartment door.

  God, what a nightmare this was turning out to be.

  Chapter 4 – On Decisions, Good and Bad

  I plopped down on the couch, letting everything run through my head. Trent was an asshole, but his brother, Trevor was surprisingly kind. He had helped me back to my car and made Trent let go when he was being an ass. I'd thought he was sweet, before I found out he was married, but he'd said he was just trying to get things settled with Trent. I figured Maylene couldn't have been that bad of a mother, since she had raised him, and she seemed like she could handle Trent. I reluctantly decided to let her meet Tyler.

  I asked her if it would be okay to hold off on any titles at the moment. She said she just wanted to be called Maymay, and I was fine with that. We met at my mother's house. My father wasn't happy about it, and all I could think was that made two of us.

  She remembered that Tyler had gone fishing with my father and brought him a little tackle box to put stuff in. Tyler was excited, and my father was easily won over. Tyler really didn't seem to care one way or another about who Maymay was. He was his usual busy two-year-old self. Maylene was thrilled when he did repeat her name as Maymay, proving that he knew her.

  I walked her out to the car, and she seemed worried about something. "I'd really like to get him tested. Trent should be paying child support."

  I put my hand up mid-sentence. "No, I don't want anything to do with him. If he starts paying, he may decide he wants to get involved in Tyler and Katie’s lives."

  Maylene smiled. "Katie, is that perhaps short for Kathlene?” she asked..

  "No, it’s short for Katherine.”

  “That’s a lovely name as well,” she said sounding a little disappointed. I wasn’t letting anyone influence what I named my child.

  Maylene began to come up every other Saturday for yoga and a visit with Tyler. It was turning into a steady routine, and I could deal with that. So I was surprised when I got a call from Maylene on a Thursday. "I know this is on very short notice, but do you mind if I visit today?"

  "I guess. Tyler's at my mom's house."

  "Wonderful, I'll pop in after I'm done checking in at the hotel."

  "Hotel? Why aren't you staying at Trevor's?"

  "They've just turned their guestroom into a nursery. Meredith is due anytime now, and since her mother isn't on hand to be with her during labor, I decided to step in for her."

  See, this was where I should have said, "That's kind of you, see you later," but instead I said, "There's a bed in Tyler's room. It's only a twin, but he isn't using it yet, if you don't mind Elmo sheets."

  "Really, Clara, are you sure?"

  I should have said, "No, go check into your hotel," but instead I said, "Yeah, I'm sure Tyler would love to have you as a roommate."

  My mother called me to let me know that Maylene was picking up Tyler and taking him back to my place, while I picked up some groceries. I was carrying in my usual load to the kitchen, when Maylene rushed me, freaking out. "You shouldn't be carrying so much, honey!"

  I just laughed. "Well, I can't make Tyler carry it."

  "I strong," he flexed.

  I handed him a bag with bread in it, and he dragged it to the kitchen.

  "Is this all of it?"

  "No, I have a few more bags left I need to get."

  I turned to get them, but she stopped me. "No, please, I'll get them. Just go put your feet up or something."

  I let her go and started putting the groceries away. I set out the things to make dinner and sat down for a breather, because my feet were killing me. As I sat at the kitchen table, I noticed the sink dripping. Now, being the daughter of a plumber, I was definitely adept at fixing a leak and had the tools on hand. I was elbow deep in my toolbox, looking for a washer, when Maylene came back in.

  "My heavens, what are you doing?"

  "The sink's leaking." I had quickly dismantled the faucet like a pro. I could feel her eyes on me and felt compelled to speak. "It's not hard, really. My dad taught me all the basics." I finished putt
ing it back together.

  When I turned around, she was frowning. "You really don't need him, do you?"

  I shook my head no. "If you're talking about Trent, then no, we're fine on our own." I washed my hands and tested the sink. "Okay, Tyler, it's time for dinner."

  That weekend, Meredith had a little girl and named her Charlotte. We took Tyler down to see his cousin. He looked through the nursery window, shouting, "Be-be! Be-be!"

  "Yup, and soon we'll have one to bring home, too. Are you going to be mommy's big helper?"

  He nodded yes hard.

  "Are you interviewing housekeepers?" Maylene asked from behind me.

  "Housekeepers?"

  "Yes, to help out after you have the baby. You'll need your rest and then to get into your routine. How long will you have off work?"

  "I have three months of leave and two weeks of vacation. We'll be fine. My mom will be around, and she's going to bring the baby to my work, so I can nurse her like we did with Tyler. Not buying formula saves a lot of money."

  "You work close to home?" she asked.

  "Yes, I work at Dr. Coust's office, she's a pediatrician and is all for the feeding breaks, or as she calls them, boob breaks."

  "If you need any help…"

  I looked over to the little bed with the screaming pink baby. "I think Meredith is going to need a lot of help. The first one is usually the hardest, and she doesn't have her mom. I have mine if I need anything."

  "I just want you to know that I'm here for you, too, Clara. I know you don't really need my family, but I'm here."

  "Thanks, Maylene."

  I had to admit, I was surprised. She had stayed with me for a few days now, and she hadn't really gotten on my nerves. She kept watching me like I was going to snap or crumble or something, but this was my life, and I was happy with it.

  I had promised Tyler I would take him to the park, so we went home to get some of our park toys. On the drive, I noticed my car chugging a little, and I knew just what it was, thanks to my years helping my mechanically-inclined father. I popped into the auto parts store, and picked up a new fuel filter.

  Getting down on the ground was another issue. I went next door and borrowed what I needed, and then I jacked the car up and put the stands under it, securing it in place. Thankfully, the fuel filter was close to the edge of the car, so I didn't have to put my belly under it. I'd taken Tyler inside and settled him with a snack and a show. I told him once it was over, I would take him to the park.

  I was on my back under the car, tightening the new filter into place, when I heard someone yell, "Oh, my god!" My legs were yanked, and I was roughly pulled out from under the car, with my hands still holding the screwdriver in the air.

  "What the hell?" I kicked the hand off my ankle and looked up to see Trent's face. His eyes darted to my hands and then the car several times. "What are you doing here?" I snapped, sitting up and rubbing my back. I was never more thankful for a roller board. If he had dragged me on the pavement, it would have torn me up.

  "What are you doing?" he asked not answering my question.

  I let out a huff, laying back down and rolling under my car. "I'm fixing my car. Now what the hell are you doing here?" I asked while I worked.

  "I was…"

  "You should go. Tyler is going to be out here in a few minutes, and we're leaving. I don't want him wondering who you are." I tightened everything up and rolled out from under the car again.

  "Why do you have tools and a jack?"

  "None of your business; now leave." I pulled out the jack handle and started pumping it up, so I could get the car off of the stands.

  "Let me do that." He went to reach for it, but I turned on him.

  "I don't need you to do that or anything else. You don't wish to have anything to do with Tyler, Katie or me, and I'm granting you that wish. Now leave!" I snapped and got back to work. My apartment door opened, and Tyler was looking past me. I knew who he was looking at.

  I finally let the car down and put the last of the tools away in my trunk, while Trent and Tyler continued to stare at each other. I was dragging the jack back to my neighbor's home, when Tyler snapped out of it and ran over to me. "Momma," he grabbed my leg, almost making me fall. I took a deep breath, keeping my cool. It would be wrong to kill his father in front of him, wouldn't it?

  I knocked on the neighbor's door, "Hey, Al, I'm done with everything," I called.

  Al opened his door and tapped his cigar in a bucket next to it. "Did you have any trouble with the filter?" he asked taking the jack handle.

  "Nah, I got 'er done," I teased causing him to smile. He walked back out with me by the car and collected the stands and roller board. I told Al thanks again and was relieved to see Trent was nowhere in sight.

  "Are you ready to go to the park, Tyler?" He nodded yes. "Just let me change my shirt and wash my hands," I said, as I walked into my apartment. I stopped mid-stride, when I saw Trent standing in my living room. Tyler curled into me, and I took a deep breath, trying to cool my temper. "Hey, Tyler, why don't you go pick out which shirt mommy is going to wear to the park. I need to talk to Mr. Trent."

  Tyler was hesitant to leave me, but he rushed down the hall, once I gave him an encouraging nod. As soon as he was out of earshot, I attacked. "What in hell do you think you're doing in here? You think your niece is so cute that you suddenly want to play house? Well, no dice. These kids are mine!"

  He took a step back. "No, I, um, my mom, Maylene, she forgot something, a little black bag in her room, his room…I mean your kid's room."

  I nodded at him, pointing down the hall. "You can go get it."

  He went to Tyler's bedroom, and I went to the bathroom across the hall to keep an eye on him. I was washing my arms and hands, but watching as he looked around and finally found the bag. He didn't leave immediately, but actually walked over to Tyler's little toddler bed and shifted a couple of the stuff animals on it.

  Tyler was the one who busted him. "Dat's mine," he stood between his bed and Trent, blocking him from his toys.

  My red shirt was on the floor. "Is that the one you picked out for me?"

  Tyler didn't take his eyes off of Trent, but nodded yes.

  Of course, it was all the way on the damn ground. I had just spent way too much time on the ground. I planned on sitting at the park and not getting up for at least an hour. I guess Trent saw my dilemma, because he picked it up without me asking him to.

  "Did you find what she wanted?"

  "Yes, I did, thank you."

  "Dat's Maymay's!" Tyler yelled and kicked Trent hard in the shin.

  I pulled him back. "Maymay asked him to come get it for her. That's why he's here. Now say sorry for hurting Mr. Trent. He's just here to help Maymay."

  "Momma mad."

  "I'm not mad at you, honey."

  "No, Momma mad," he said pointing at Trent.

  "The kid must be a mind reader," I laughed.

  "Either that or your kid..."

  "Watch what you say, because it'll get back to your mother," I warned.

  "You're going to tattle on me?"

  "It's effective. Now leave," I ordered.

  Trent was the last person I wanted to have around, and I wasn't against playing dirty, so he'd have to keep his distance.

  Chapter 5 – On Company, Good and Bad

  Over the next several weeks, Maylene was in and out, visiting with Tyler in between taking care of Meredith and Charlotte. I did find it odd that Trent always seemed to be the one dropping her off lately. Maylene said her car was in the shop, but I wondered if that was really true. He tended to linger and had gone as far as getting his mother's door every time. I think he was trying to prolong his stay by the way he would glance at my door, and if Tyler was around, he'd give him a smile and a head nod, before he would let his gaze settle on my belly. The exchange never took more than a minute, but it was enough to unnerve me.

  "You know, I wouldn't mind giving you a ride or picking you up," I offere
d to Maylene, hoping to keep Trent away from my house.

  She smiled widely. "That's so sweet of you, would you mind picking me up tomorrow at Trevor's house? Charlotte has a doctor appointment, and they'll be gone for most of the afternoon."

  I should have known then something was up. When I drove up, no one seemed to be at the house. I took Tyler out of the car to let Maylene know we were there. She invited me inside to wait, so she could look for her misplaced purse. I heard someone pull up and looked out the window. Trent was parked behind my car, looking at it confused. I suspected he had been set up as well.

  When he walked in, he stopped in the doorway. "What…?" He looked at Tyler, who was watching him closely, and he shut his mouth and shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat. "I was supposed to get my mom and take her to your house."

  "I'm here to pick her up." I wondered what the hell was taking her so long.

  He nodded, and his eyes settled on my stomach, "So, soon, right?"

  "Another month, but yeah, she's due soon." I covered my belly, like I could keep him from taking my baby.

  "He looks just like me," he glanced at Tyler, and I stepped in front of my son protectively.

  "Your point?"

  "Just, you know, I'm sorry," he shrugged.

  I laughed blackly. "That doesn't change anything."

  He took a step towards me, but I pushed Tyler back a little, moving us away from Trent.

  "Could I…?"

  "No," I answered quickly.

  "You don't even know what I was going to ask."

  "It doesn't matter. I don't want anything from you, and I don't feel obligated to give you anything, either."

  He scratched the back of his neck, looking frustrated. He took a deep breath. "I want to be there."

  I scoffed.

  "You were going to tell me at one point." I looked away. "I'm not that guy anymore."

  "I have a belly to prove otherwise."

  "You can't blame that all on me. I was drunk, but I wasn't completely out of it. You…" he looked at Tyler, "You know what you did. It wasn't one way. Anyway, I don't do that anymore."

  I snorted at him.