Anything but Normal - Melody Carlson [44]
“I know.”
“So, are you sorry you didn’t report the crime and go in for an examination . . . and the next-day pill?”
“Sure. I’m sorry I went out with Terrence too. I’m sorry for a lot of things.”
“So . . . what will happen after the birth of your baby?”
“You mean, am I keeping the baby?”
“Yes.”
“Probably not.”
“Probably?”
“Well, my mom is being very weird about the whole thing.” “How so?”
“Naturally she was really upset. Like, how could I do this to her?”
“Did you tell her the truth? I mean, about the date rape?” “No.”
“Why not?”
“What would be the point?”
“I don’t know,” Sophie admitted.
“So, after my mom recovered from the shock—by the way, my dad is still not speaking to me.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yeah, Daddy’s girl let him down.”
“I understand.”
“Sure you do.” Natasha narrowed her eyes with skepticism. “But anyway, once Mom got over it, she started to get this whacked-out idea that Terrence and I would get married eventually. And in the meantime, she’s acting like she’s going to be the happy grandma.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Yeah. Wow.”
“So how do you feel about it?”
“I think I’ll let the baby be adopted.”
“And your mom?”
“She’ll probably be ticked.”
“Pregnancy really messes up your life.”
Natasha laughed with sarcasm. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Sophie was tempted tell her everything. But she didn’t. Instead she just asked a few more questions, thanked her, and then interviewed the last girl. Her name was Leah, and her story was different from the other two. She was a quiet senior who was still with her boyfriend. He had graduated last year and was working in a factory. They were going to get married at Christmas, and they would keep their child and “live happily ever after.”
“That seems a lot to take on,” Sophie said finally.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Leah assured Sophie. “We knew we wanted to get married. It’s just a little earlier than we’d planned.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“What is?”
Sophie considered this as she walked to her car. What was easy? She couldn’t even remember.
13
“What do you mean you’re not coming tonight?” Carrie Anne’s brow creased.
“I mean I’m not coming.” Sophie unlocked her car, threw in her bag, then turned to face her friend.
“But you always come to the church harvest party.”
They’d met in the school parking lot. Because of the interviews, Sophie had gotten out of school the same time as the rest of the students. But now she was tired, and since there wasn’t yearbook on Fridays, she just wanted to go home and sleep.
“It’s been a long day,” Sophie told Carrie Anne.
“Are you coming with us, Carrie Anne?” Kelsey called.
“I guess so.” Carrie Anne frowned at Sophie. “Since my best friend is such a party pooper.”
“Sorry.”
Carrie Anne stared at Sophie with a serious expression. “You’re changing, you know?”
Sophie felt a jolt of fear rush through her. What was Carrie Anne saying? “What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re different.” Carrie Anne continued to stare. “Because I don’t want to go to the kiddy party at church?” “See?” Carrie Anne pointed a finger at her.
“See what?”
“You used to love the harvest party and anything that had to do with church. Now you don’t. See, you’ve changed.”
Kelsey, Jenny, and Hannah were coming toward them.
“No,” Sophie said quickly, “I haven’t changed. I’m just tired. Here’s the deal. Let me go home and take a nap, and then I’ll meet you guys at the harvest party. Okay?”
Carrie Anne didn’t look convinced.
“What’s up?” Jenny asked as she and the others joined them.
“Sophie needs to go home and have a wittle nappie,” Carrie Anne said in a baby voice.
“Oh, poor thing,” Kelsey teased. “Doing a full day at school wore you out?”
“Whatever.” Sophie rolled her eyes. “I’m tired, okay?”
“Maybe you’ve got mono,” Jenny said. “I heard it’s going around.”
“You have to kiss someone to get mono,” Kelsey pointed out. “And that’s obviously not happening to this girl.”
“Thanks a lot.” Sophie made a face.
“I don’t know.” Jenny giggled. “Wes sticks pretty close to her.”
“Hey, you guys can stand