My deepest apologies. I am truly sorry for last night. Enclosed is what we would have paid you for the rest of the school year for watching Chase. I know things at home aren’t easy for you. Should you change your mind, please call me at this number 555-2445. It is my private emergency line for patients. I want to see you succeed.
J
I think I am going to be sick. I feel cheap. How does my mother take money from men like him and still have a smile on her face. The only good thing about the money is at least I don’t have to worry about money for a while. I have been wanting to save up for a car or a ticket out of here, this makes a great start. A happy as I am about the one good thing my shitty weekend continues. My mother is back to smothering me, wanting to spend the day together since we are snowed in. She wants us to give each other medi-pedis, as we used to. My day only gets worse from there.
Once my cell phone has charged I have twenty missed calls and text messages from Penny. I call her immediately without checking her messages. Something must have happened last night with Aaron. Either they went all the way or she has realized what a jerk he is.
She sends my call direct to voicemail. I hang up and call her back, what’s her problem. After two tries, she picks up. “Don’t ever call me again you are a whore just like your no good mother. I hate you Katie!” She screams in my ear before hanging up on me.
I hold my phone out as tears sting my eyes. What did she mean I am a whore just like my mother?
I scroll through the messages she sent me last night.
Penny: Did you screw my boyfriend, did you fuck Aaron?!?!?!?
Penny: I hate you Katie! I can’t believe you fucked my boyfriend.
Penny: My mom was right you are just like your mother. Nothing but whores.
Penny: I actually felt sorry for you all these year
s, but you just wanted what I had. You always wanted my life, you and your whore mother. I know all about the two of you. Becks told me about you and a married man. Aaron wasn’t good enough so you went after an older man with a family too, you are nasty.
The messages continue with her calling me a whore. Why didn’t I ever tell her the truth about Aaron. I don’t know what to say to her. If I say no that makes me a liar. If I say yes, I lose my best friend. Why is she saying this and what did Becks say to her about Mr. Miller? And what in the hell does she know about my mom? I feel sick. The room is spinning.
I try calling Becks and it goes to voicemail, of course. I start texting him.
Me: What did you say to Penny? She is calling me names and telling me she hates me.!!!!
Becks: She told me what you did. You slept with Aaron. Guess I wasn’t cool enough for you. I saw Mr. Miller leaving your house early this morning. You are a liar and whore Katie. I can’t believe I ever thought I was in love with you.
Me: Becks, please you are one of my best friends I didn’t do anything with Mr. Miller! I love you but not in that way, please don’t shut me out. Don’t be this guy Becks, it isn’t you. Aaron was a stupid mistake the summer before ninth grade. I would never do that to Penny.
Becks: Delete my number Katie and by the way I won’t be waiting for you in the morning.
The tears don’t stop streaming down my face as I wail into my pillow, my tears staining the blue case. I don’t even bother to look up when my mom comes in to see what I am crying about. She picks up the letter from my bed. I watch as her eyes scan the note, her eyes growing darker.
“What happened last night Katie? What did Jason do, why is he sorry? Did he touch you?”
“He tried to kiss me. Apparently everyone thinks I am just like my whore mother,” I shout in her face.
Her hand whips back and strikes my cheek sending my head backwards giving me the feeling of whiplash. My cheek is stinging. I grab the money and my phone shoving them in my bag.
“Where are you going Katie? He pays good money; you should have taken him up on his offer.” I run towards the front door away from her. She is crazy. “Don’t you walk away from me this conversation isn’t finished!” She shouts out the door as I run down the sidewalk. As I go to turn the damn corner, I go sliding and fall, busting my ass on the patch of ice.
“Fuck!” I shout at the sky and pound my fist into the sidewalk.
“What did that sidewalk ever do to you?” I look up to see Raven trying to hold back a laugh.
“What are you doing?”
“I am on my way to Beans my shift starts in a few. Walk with me and I will get you a latte, my treat.” She extends her hand and helps me up. Only thing bruised is my ego. “Rough day?”
“You have no idea.” I fall in beside of and walk with her to work.
“Katie if anyone knows what it is like for people to spread rumors about you that aren’t true, it’s me. I heard about Aaron and how you are having an affair with an older man.” She rolls her eyes. “I don’t believe any of that ya know.”
“Thank you.”