Crash (Sequel to Unexpected)

Number 2

I pull into the driveway and kill the engine, flicking off the headlights while I'm at it. Andy texted me while I was at Sonny's and told me she needed to speak with me. Immediately.

The truck door opens with ease and I step out, slamming it behind me. I click the lock and walk towards the house. When I push the door open, I find Andy and Daniel on the couch. She gets up abruptly, walking over to me. I don't even make it in the house. She moves me right back onto the porch, closing the front door. Andy crosses her arms over her chest. Uh-oh. Something is clearly on her mind.

"Congratulations, Skye. Baby number 2."

Oh god. She found the test.

"Please give me advice, Andy. What should I do?"

She sighing, shifting her weight.

"Whatever you want. It's your baby."

This is the opposite of what I wanted from her.

"But I don't know what I want!"

"How far along are you?"

"According to the doctor at the hospital, I would be around a month and a quarter."

Her eyes go wide, her mouth opening as her hands drop to her sides.

"How long have you known?!"

"Since the last time I was in the hospital."

She looks away, running her hand over her face before using her palm to cover her mouth.

"And you haven't told me?"

"I didn't believe them! I mean, seriously, how can they detect the baby this early?"

"They have special tests, Skye. Just like you used on of those magic tests that tells you after the first pregnancy hormone is found!"

She starts pacing in the small space. I want to go inside but I don't want Daniel to be dragged into this, too.

"I didn't mean to get pregnant, Andy. We were being careful, I swear!"

"Clearly not careful enough."

That stings. Why can't she be happy for me and offer me advice? What have I done to her to make her angry and disappointed?

"What is wrong with you, Andy?"

"What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you, Skye?!"

I feel the bite of her words again.

"Your boss got you knocked up, you crash at Gavin's, and leave right before the birth. I thought you were on the right path until you went back to Hunter and got another job. You are like a heroin addict. You need your fix of Hunter after so long or you'll explode."

I start to crawl into myself metaphorically. My mind starts packing up shop and moving to somewhere where it doesn't have to listen to Andy.

"I haven't seen him since the car crash."

"That's another thing! You are constantly in danger! You have been in the hospital three times since, what, April? March? It's June, Skye. That's not safe!"

"The car crash and my father attacking me wasn't my fault. Neither was my anxiety attack."

"You are right, but you are a disaster waiting to happen! You are nothing but a hazard to yourself and the people around you!"

And the little figure in my brain tries to place the last straw on the camel's back. All the sudden, the camel's back breaks with the weight of the comment.

I'm stunned that she has just said this to me. Her face is pure anger and rage, not an ounce of remorse or sorrow is visible.

"Is that what you really think of me?"

I guess hearing and seeing my reaction changes her attitude.

"Skye, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"No. Don't apologize. It wouldn't have come out if it wasn't on your mind."

I maneuver around her, pushing open the door to the house. Daniel looks away quickly, his vision focusing on the TV. Of course he was listening.

I storm up the stairs to the spare room. I start grabbing anything I've taken out of boxes, shoving it back inside the one that I have been meaning to unpack. Clothes, hygiene products, personal items, all of it shoved in the box with not a care in the world.

"Skye, please don't take it like that. I didn't mean it."

"Then why the hell did you say it! Was it a joke? Is that what you wanted it to be!?"

"Please lower your voice. Brayden is trying to sleep."

"Screw Brayden! If you were so worried about people sleeping, you shouldn't have broadcasted our squabble to the whole neighborhood! 'Hazardous Skye'! Coming to your local Ezra front porch soon!"

"Stop being dramatic."

I stop packing for long enough to say a sentence while staring her in the eyes.

"I'm not the one overreacting."

I throw in the last item and pick up the box. It's a little heavy, but I'm not asking anyone for help. I take the box downstairs, passing a sleepy Brayden on the way. He's rubbing his eye.

"What is wrong, Mommy? Why does Auntie Skye have a box?"

"Don't worry about it, baby. Nothing is wrong. Please go back to sleep."

I pull open the front door and march out to the truck. I put the box in the bed and open the driver's door. I click the garage door opener and a mechanical whir starts up as the door raises. Once it's at a height I can clear, I duck inside. I only have three more boxes. Not a lot. That's what happens when you move frequently. You drop most of the belongings you don't need or use.

"Skye, don't do this."

"I'm just fulfilling your wishes, Andy."

I take the boxes to my truck one by one as she tries to reason with me.

"Let's just sleep and then talk in the morning. Please."

"NO!"

I'm surprised at myself for screaming at her, but it felt so good.

"What is wrong with you, Skye?"

She's about to cry. I can tell. At this point, I don't care anymore. About any of it.

"I'm sick of feeling like a burden or a failure. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life and it's time to right them. I'm done with it all."

I grab the handle to my truck door, pulling it open.

"Bye, Andy."

"Skye, wait!"

I close the door before she can continue. I quickly start the truck and back out of the driveway. Andy runs after me as I gun it down the street. When the weight is crushing you, what other route of escape is there?