The Friends We Keep

Andrew and Gabby still weren’t overly friendly, so Gabby had some concerns about the meeting. She suspected that while Candace didn’t want Andrew back for herself, she wasn’t above the pleasure of knowing there was trouble in paradise. So Gabby smiled in all the right places and sat right next to the man she’d married. Surprisingly Makayla had sat on her other side, pressed against her, as if the three of them were there to offer a united front.

Candace didn’t bother offering refreshments. Instead she glanced pointedly at her platinum-and-diamond watch, then said, “I’m not sure there’s a point to all this. Boyd is gone. No one’s surprised he ran off. Makayla is fifteen and pregnant. If it’s too late for an abortion, she’s giving up the baby.”

Gabby couldn’t believe she and Candace were on the same page. Even if Gabby’s way of explaining their position would have been slightly less blunt.

“That’s not what Makayla wants,” Andrew told his ex.

Candace swung her cool gaze to her daughter and sighed heavily. “Really? You’re going to be stupid and say you want to have the baby?”

Makayla flushed.

“Candace,” Andrew snapped. “Don’t be a bitch.”

The other woman stiffened. “It’s my house, I’ll be how I want to be. It’s also my daughter.” She glared at Makayla. “The damage is done. Let’s make the best of a bad situation. Are you seriously going to tell me you’re throwing your life away by keeping that baby? Then what? Will you get a job at some fast-food place? Go on food stamps? Won’t we all be so proud.”

Gabby found herself standing up. “Stop it. Stop it right now. We’re all dealing with the situation. Nobody is delighted by where we find ourselves but belittling your daughter won’t help anything.”

Candace studied her for several seconds. “Well,” she said slowly. “The mouse roars. Who would have thought.” She rose, as well. “I’m done with this. Makayla, you think about what you’re doing with your life. Bad enough to have a baby. Worse to keep it.”

With that she waved toward the door. “Now it’s time for all of you to be going.”

Makayla stood. Tears filled her eyes, but didn’t fall. She started to say something, then turned and started for the door. Gabby hurried after her.

Andrew spoke to his ex-wife, but Gabby couldn’t hear what he was saying. Nor did she care. Once they were outside, Makayla burst into tears. Gabby held her close and wondered how the hell they were going to get out of this alive.

*

Gabby made the decision to drive down to South Coast Plaza. Yes, it was ridiculously far when they had Del Amo not fifteen minutes from the house, but she figured Makayla would be more comfortable shopping in Orange County. The odds of running into any of her friends were remote, which meant the teen could relax. Plus, she hoped it would help the teen forget about the horrible encounter with Candace.

To that end, Gabby pulled Makayla out of camp so they could go early Thursday morning. They’d showed up right when the mall opened with the idea they could have plenty of time to shop and still get back to pick up the twins.

Unfortunately what had started out as a hopeful plan had turned into something closer to a disaster. Makayla brushed away tears as she walked out of the trendy store.

“Nothing fits,” she complained. “The pants won’t button and the shirts are all stupid. I hate this.”

Gabby walked beside her, not sure what to say or do. Makayla had reached that awkward stage of her pregnancy where her regular things were starting to be too small but maternity clothes were weeks or months away. Not to mention weird for a fifteen-year-old.

They’d been to three stores and nothing had worked. Drawstring pants weren’t in style and regular jeans that fit around her growing belly were ridiculously huge in the legs. They had found a couple of cute leggings that would work, along with a few tunic tops, but she would need more than that for school.

“What about dresses?” Gabby asked. “Come on. Let’s go look at Nordstrom. They always have pretty things. It’s going to be warm for a few more months. A nice A-line style will work. Maybe a couple of jumpers with a sweater underneath. You could wear tights and cute ankle boots.”

Makayla sniffed. “I never wear dresses.”

“So. You could try something new. You’d look adorable.”

Makayla was a size two or four. It was hard for her to look bad. Even pregnant, she was adorable.

“I didn’t think of dresses,” the teen admitted. “Can we try some on?”

“I think we should.”

They headed for the large department store. As they got on the escalator, Makayla looked at her. “Are you mad at me?”

“No. Why would I be?”

“Because of all this. It’s hard. My mom...”

“Oh, honey, we so don’t have to talk about her. Yes, it’s been challenging.”

Makayla smiled. “Because I’m pregnant.”

“Really? I hadn’t heard.”

That earned her a second smile. The teen sighed. “I know Dad’s mad at me.”

Gabby told herself that defending Andrew made her the bigger person. “He’s not mad, sweetie. He’s unhappy about the situation. It’s not what anyone wanted. I know you didn’t.”

“Tell me about it.” She touched her belly. “If I could take those two times back, I would. Especially with Boyd gone.”