The Huge Step
Chapter 9 The Huge Step
MILLER’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.
Darby kept turning all through the night till the next morning making her body ache. She couldn’t sleep a wink as her mind was plagued with different thoughts. Her discussion with Abigail the previous night made her realize that things might have worked out between herself and Leo if her stepsister didn’t get so spiteful and spread rumors about her. At the same time, she has learnt a hard lesson that being loved has to come from within. She has to be her own cheer leader.
Would Leo have turned his back against her if he knew the truth? He couldn’t even try to figure out the truth and be sure of what he heard about her. Just like her mother treating her as a regretful mistake and not bothering to know her as her biological daughter. It shows how ridiculous the human is.
Sitting up, she checked the clock by her bed stand, it was past eight already. She must have slept off in the early hours of the morning. Getting off the bed, she searched through her closet and brought out her saving box. She felt satisfied at the bundle of cash in it. This was where she saved all the money gotten from her aunt Maureen since she clocked ten. Her aunt sends money to her through letters on every of her birthdays. Maureen knows just how horrible everyone in the house is to her.
To ensure Darby doesn’t lack anything, she sends what she thinks might be enough for her to spend. And it got increased each year. Being a frugal spender, Darby didn’t get to spend much out of each money. Since her mother was also graceful enough to fulfill her duties of getting her lady care needs, her money was intact. She began stuffing it into a brown folder and had to stop when someone knocked on her door. Covering it up with her clothes quickly, she hurried to the door. Emma was standing there when she opened the door.
Taking a quick step backwards, Darby lowered her gaze. “Good morning, mom.”
“Morning, Darby.” Emma sounded different. “Can I sit with you for a moment?”
Surprised at the sudden coolness in her voice, Darby stuttered pointing at the bed. “S… sure, you can sit.”
Taking her time to gather her thoughts, Emma stared hard at Darby. “I must say that I am really disappointed in the fact that you fell pregnant and have no idea who the father of the child is. I don’t know what it is that you were thinking to indulge in such silliness, but I am quite sure that I am so not going to let you keep it. Your father and I have decided that you will abort the child. I already scheduled an appointment with the doctor and the both of us will leave by ten.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I want to do abortion. My life would be at risk.”
“You can be rest assured that you wouldn’t have anything to worry about and you will have your free life back. Doctor Anderson is well known for carrying out such surgery with ease.”
“Do I have to? I think I would like to keep it.”
Anger flashed through Emma’s eyes. “You really are a hard nut to crack. Do you think Noah and I will let you live with us, eat our food for free and then birth a child that you don’t even know who the father is, to live under the same roof with us?”
“I will get a job. Thank God I am done with high school. The only clause is my dream of going to college. I can manage that till he or she is old enough.”
A shocked scoff escaped her lips. “This is unbelievable. You already have plans for a bastard? You know what? It was useless trying to see reason with you. I don’t care about that you think. I will make sure you get rid of that bastard you are carrying. Even if you will be subjected to bleeding to death, I will be sure to run you a befitting funeral. Get ready, we leave by ten.”
Darby’s heart raced as the tears blinded her eyes. She knows that look in her mother’s eyes. Emma doesn’t make empty threats and she means every word that she said. Standing in front of the mirror, Darby sobbed quietly as she gripped the vanity edge tightly. As much as she wants to agree with her mother, her instincts and everything within her wants to keep the child. It’s not like she agreeing to the abortion will make her parents love her, it will be the same plain life she has been subjected to living.
What if this child is an answer to her prayer? He or she would get to be her confident. Her mother had a choice to either love or hate her but she chose to pick the negative side to it. Darby doesn’t want to live a spiteful life like that of her mother. She doesn’t intend to regret every moment of her life which is why she finally made up her mind to make a run for it.
Checking the time it clocked five minutes past nine. Darby ran to her closet picked up all the money in the box into the folder in a hurry. Grabbing her school bag, she threw in her emergency essentials while stuffing in a few clothes too. She would have to travel light, just incase there would be a need for her to break into a run.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
As she got dressed, tears kept rolling down her face. Darby has no idea where she would go. She can’t reach out to Maureen to avoid being found by her parents. As much as Maureen loves and respects her, she wouldn’t fail to express her disappointment as regards the pregnancy. At the moment, she has absolutely no one on her side. To save her child, she would have to be brave and do whatever it takes to survive.
Carrying her backpack, she exhaled staring at her pale self in the mirror. Summoning courage, she gave the room one last look and stepped out of the room. She knew none of them would be downstairs. Making her way towards the door, Darby moved hurriedly down the street knowing it will take a while for her to get a taxi. The moment she saw one, she jumped into it.
“Where are you headed, miss?” The driver inquired.
Darby stared back at the road that leads to the house she has known all her life. Sniffing back a tear, she turned to the man. “Please take me to the train station.” She said.
“Oh, are you leaving LA?” He asked again sounding like a chatty person.
Relaxing into the seat, she shrugged. “Yeah, I am.”
“Where to, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Darby thought for a brief moment as she rubbed at her belly. She hasn’t really given it a thought, but then whatever it takes, she has to leave LA. A smile appeared on her face when her aunt’s favorite placed popped into her head.
“I know where I am headed. It’s San Francisco. San Francisco.” Darby repeated feeling at ease as she stared out the window.
Darby hoped that she wouldn’t regret taking this huge step.