Big Men of the House(78)

I left the bathroom and Micah came back in the room with a piece of paper. “Here is a check for the $10,000 that your boyfriend lost.”



“I don't think he's my boyfriend anymore and I don't deserve it.”



“Just take the money. I really don't need it anyways.” I took the check from Micah and put it in my purse.



“Well thank you then.”



“I'm sure it doesn't need to be said but I prefer if you keep this from your mom.”



“Of course,” I said shyly.



“Goodbye Claire, it was a pleasure to have you.” Micah took my hand and kissed it again. Then he led me to the elevator.



“Goodbye Micah.” I stepped into the elevator and pushed the button labeled “Lobby”. As the doors closed, I could see Micah's great big smile watching me go. I smiled and waved goodbye.









Jeremiah and I never spoke to each other after that night. When I found out I was pregnant, I wasn't sure who the father was. It didn't matter. I told Micah that it had to be his. Micah would be mine forever.





Stretched to the Limit





I just graduated from high school and I was so excited to go to college. I applied to a few and I got into my first pick, UC Santa Cruz. I was all set to enjoy my summer vacation and then everything went to shit when my mom told me I needed to get a summer job. Working during my last big vacation wasn't the plan. The problem was that almost all the summer jobs were already taken. I looked around everywhere, applying to restaurants and retail stores. I had to settle for a job at Camp Shasta where my step stepdad, Jackson worked.



I was just told to show up a week before camp started. I wasn't excited to go away for a whole month, especially when I needed to prepare for college. At least I would be making good money and I could save it up for something nice.



The next day it was a normal morning like any other, except for the fact that I had only one more day before I had to go to Camp Shasta. My step stepdad walked into my room. “Hey Savannah, you're going to ride with me to camp right?”



I tried to think of a quick excuse. “I think I'll be okay, stepdad. But thanks!” I didn't want a long car ride with my stepdad.



Then my mom came into the room and she joined the fight “Oh Savannah, it would be silly for you two to take separate cars. Just go with your stepdad.”



“Well, I don't know, Mom.”



“Don't worry! I won't flood you with a million questions, ” Jackson reassured.



I looked at both my stepdad and my mom and I could tell that there was no way to win this. “Okay then, you can drive me.”



“Wonderful!” my stepdad exclaimed. “I'll get everything packed up and we can leave early tomorrow morning.”



“Okay I'll make sure my bags are packed tonight then.” They both had the biggest smiles on their faces when they left my room. At least this will make my stepdad happy. I only have to sacrifice a couple of hours for him.



Jackson was a strong and attractive black man my mom fell for while on a vacation in Europe. It was a little awkward when my mother returned with a wedding ring and a black English man. Jackson was so intelligent and his accent made me melt so I couldn't argue with my mom that she got married too quickly.











Camping really wasn't my thing. Actually the outdoors wasn't my thing. I'm more of the type that liked to stay indoors and read a good book. The last thing I wanted to do was go sleep with a million different bugs just for fun.



That night, I packed my bags as well as I could. I wasn't sure what I would need out there. I tried to think of every possible thing I would need in the woods. I had two big suitcases stuffed with almost all my clothes that I owned. I didn't get much sleep that night. I kept having dreams of spiders and snakes getting into my bed. Whenever I woke up, I had to turn on the light and check under the covers. When I was satisfied there was nothing there, I stayed awake for hours just staring at the ceiling.



The next morning, I felt groggy from not getting much sleep. stepdad was just finishing packing the car up. “You ready for our little adventure, Savannah?”



“As ready as I'll ever be,” I said sarcastically.



“Well hop in and let's get going!”



I jumped into the passenger seat and we pulled out of the driveway. My mom was standing in the doorway waving to us. I waved back and then we were off. The car ride was about three hours long and it was filled with boring small talk.



“So Savannah, what are you going to major in at college?” Jackson asked.



I didn't want to talk to him so I just gave him an answer to shut him up. “I have no idea.” I actually wanted to be a nurse so I was going to apply to some nursing schools after my general education was out of the way. I knew I would have to tell him eventually but now wasn't the time.