Nicky had been waiting for this day for weeks. She hadn't
been back to Sultan since Aunt Alice picked her up from Leah’s house three
months earlier. She was excited to see her friend, even if it meant returning
to her one stoplight hometown. They talked nearly every day during the hour
between the time when Nicky got off work and the beginning of her night school
classes. Nicky really wanted to spend time with Leah, but she had to work to
help Aunt Alice make ends meet. Alice had wanted to try it on her earnings
alone, but after they sat down to figure out expenses, they both knew there was
no way Alice could pay all the bills with the additional cost she would incur
supporting Nicky and the baby. Aunt Alice talked to her boss, and the next day
Nicky was hired on at minimum wage as an assistant at the hospice care company
where Alice worked. Aunt Alice also helped her find night classes so she could
finish high school, and soon enough she and her Aunt fell into an easy and
comfortable routine.
Aunt Alice and Nicky’s mom were estranged, and from what
Alice told Nicky, they had never been close, but it got worse after her mom
married Carl. Aunt Alice had always loved Nicky though and was glad when she
called her for help. She was excited about the arrival of a new baby despite
the difficult circumstances. Aunt Alice was supportive and immediately arranged
for Nicky to get the pre-natal care she needed. They were both planning for the
new member of their little family.
Nicky only had one Saturday off each month, and it had taken
her awhile to save up the little bit of extra money needed to buy a bus ticket.
The day had finally arrived, and she was going to see Leah again. She and Aunt
Alice had discussed whether she should go back to Sultan and decided it would be
safe if she went right to Leah’s and returned back to the little gas station
where the bus stopped. She didn't want to spend much time there; it was a
dirty, old-fashioned station with only two pumps out front, and the owner
always had greasy hands because he actually still worked on cars.
Nicky felt all jittery, and her stomach was queasy. She
bounced up and down with extra energy as she walked briskly from the gas
station towards her friend’s house. The side walk along the narrow street was
so cracked Nicky got frustrated trying to avoid stepping on a crack. The
identical one-story, white-sided houses sitting side by side along the street
were familiar; she’d past them a million times. She even knew who lived in most
of them. Mr. Morgan had a new piece of metal-yard art on his lawn. He had added
a large brightly painted deer to his metallic wildlife collection. She laughed
as she walked by; she was sure when he added the family of red foxes last year
that there would be no way he could fit more things in his yard.
Nicky placed her hand low on her round belly as she walked.
She was so skinny that it looked like a little basketball under her shirt. She
was anxious about what Leah would think when she showed up with her growing
belly. Of course Leah knew she was pregnant. Nicky had told her when she ran to
her house for help three months earlier, but she wasn't showing then. Nicky had
adjusted to the pregnancy and the stares she received when taking the bus and
walking around town. She was so young and her tiny frame and flawless peach
complexion highlighted it, so she knew people judged her. She could handle it
from strangers, but she feared her friend’s judgment. She wanted to talk to her
about her new life and all the baby names she was considering. Madison was her
first choice if it was a girl, and she was torn between Jonathan and Austin if
it was a boy. Also, she and Alice had been looking at community college courses
so Nicky could get a good job and take care of herself and the baby. She wanted
to discuss career options and her future.
Nicky was looking forward to the future even though she knew
it would be difficult. She didn't mind
the hard work and the long hours, especially with Aunt Alice’s support and
encouragement—everything seemed possible. For the first time since before Carl
came into her life, she was being encouraged instead of belittled.
Nicky had unconsciously headed towards Leah’s house the same
way she always walked when she realized she didn't want to pass by her old
house. Although it was unlikely anyone would see her, she didn’t want to take
the chance of running into her mom or Carl.
She hadn't spoken to her mom since she ran out the door and neither had
Aunt Alice, but she assumed her mom knew where she was. Maybe she was glad she
was gone or maybe she was grateful she was out of the horrible environment Carl
created. Nicky could only hope it was the latter. Although she had lost respect
for her mother, she still loved her and feared for her, but she had to worry
about herself and her baby now.
Nicky crossed the wet street and passed through an alley
behind the mostly-closed businesses along the main street. It was cluttered
with beer cans and broken glass, and it smelled of rotting food. This
unpleasant detour put her one block south of her parents’ house, and that made
her feel better. She quickened her pace as the drizzle that had been constant
all morning began to increase its pace. She pulled up the collar of her old
wool coat and buttoned her top buttons. It was the only coat she owned, and it
was now too tight to button around her belly. She only had a few more months,
so she couldn't justify the cost of a new coat.
Nicky hadn’t given Michael a single thought since she ran
from him—until she saw his dad’s old green Ford Ranger coming through the light
fog in front of her. He often borrowed
that old Ford. At the sight of it her breath caught in her throat and her palms
began to sweat despite the cool air. Nicky stopped and stared as the truck drew
closer. Finally, she jerked herself out of the trance and started jogging away
from the approaching vehicle. She didn't see who was in the truck, but
immediately she regretted her decision to come here. She was safe in Seattle.
And though she had missed Leah and desperately wanted to see her, she knew Leah
didn't feel the same way she did. Nicky could live with that, but she still
wanted her friendship. Leah was the only person her own age that she trusted,
but she realized now she put herself in a dangerous situation coming back.
As the truck slowly rolled past her, she saw Michael’s face.
Nicky looked away, but it was too late; he saw it was her. The truck breaks
squealed as he stopped right in the middle of the road. He jumped out with the
engine still running and dashed across the street toward her. She took off
running, but the new weight in front of her slowed her down. He caught her by
the arm and spun her around. Michael stood looking at her pregnant belly. Nicky
was shaking. Her heart beat loudly in her chest and her mouth went dry. She
tried to pull away, but he just gripped her arm tighter each time she tugged at
him.
“Michael, let me go.” She gasped taking in quick, labored
breathes.
“Who knows that’s my kid in there?” he said too loudly as he
bent close to her ear. He reeked of stale beer and cigarettes—the smell that
comes from drinking too much for days on end. When she didn’t answer he slapped
her face. The sting pierced her soft flesh like needles. “Answer me bitch.” He
was unsteady on his feet and the intensity of the alcohol smell from his breath
turned her sensitive stomach.
“No one,” she squeaked—her voice barely audible. She pulled
again with all her strength to get away from him, and her feet slid out from
under her on the wet concrete. When she fell, she pulled the drunk teen on top
of her, and his heavy bulk landed on her extended stomach. Nicky screamed as
pain hit her. It felt like a dull knife stabbed all the way through her. She
shook with fear and adrenaline. Nicky grunted and pushed Michael’s mostly-dead
weight off her with an inhuman strength and struggled to her feet. She wanted
to get way, but as she stood to run, she doubled over. She wrapped both arms
tightly around her belly and cried out as she struggled to move forward. Nicky managed a few steps, but her legs gave
out. She fell to the sidewalk banging and scrapping both knees as she went
down. Nicky’s heart beat loudly in her ear, and she was breathing heavily,
pushing air out between pursed lips to bare the pain. She tried to crawl
forward, but Michael grabbed her leg and pulled her back to where he still lay.
He held her down with one large hand pushing heavily on her chest.
“You little bitch.” He pushed himself up to a sitting
position while putting all of his weight on her. She struggled for air as he
crushed her lungs beneath his heavy hand. With his free hand, he reached into
his pocket. Nicky screamed when she recognized the fake-wood handle of his
knife. She instinctively wrapped her arms around her cramping middle. “I told
you I wanted you to have an abortion. I guess I’ll have to do it myself.” He
flipped the blade open with a single swift movement.
“Michael, no,” she was barely audible as she drew in small
gasps of air. Her vision was narrowing, and she struggled to stay conscious.
She tried to fight, but his strength was overwhelming. Michael grabbed for the
bottom of her blouse, and pulled it up exposing her rounded taught skin. The
shock of the cold air and rain on her exposed belly brought her to full
consciousness. She kicked and struggled beneath him. Nicky yelled, “Help” with
all her remaining air. Michael dropped the knife, and slapped his hand across
her face. She tried to turn her head back and forth in an effort to get free,
but he had completely cut off her airway. She looked up at him pleading with
her eyes. He scowled, eye brows bunched together, and cursed at her through
gritted teeth. His chilling expression was the last image she remembered.
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