Gracie stood there, shocked with Andy’s reaction. It wasn’t his problem?! It was his child! Their child! It was a problem for both of them. New life shouldn’t even be a problem, it should be a gift!

Gracie took a few deep lungfuls of air, trying to calm herself down. Andy was probably right. Her mom did have a heart. Her mom did love her. She knew that. She’d heard if a teenager became knocked up, it was likely they’d be disowned by their parents. Stories went around all the time about snobby parents ditching their scandalous kids. She never thought it would happen to her. Not just according to her, she was reliable and respectful. Right now she didn’t know what to believe. She didn’t want to believe her parents would react the same way.

Gracie walked quickly, as if it were an output of her neglect. She stood outside the front gate, looking down through the paved walkway surrounded by forest-like plants. She used to find this place so welcoming and once liked to walk under the vivid, apple green hanging leaves.

Gracie walked up the 3 steps to the small, perfect sized verandah and looked through the front window. It didn’t look like anyone was there. She didn’t bother knocking, just tried the handle. It was locked. Gracie sighed. Her parents never went out at this time of day. She walked around to the back entrance, her heartbeat accompanying her. To Gracie, this was just like a horror film.

She opened the back door and stepped into the larger living room which was connected to the spacious kitchen. Gracie’s parents had always been well off but the money mostly went into savings. Gracie’s mother was standing over the sink, doing something Gracie couldn’t see from where she was. She didn’t even look up with Gracie’s entrance.

“Mom,” Gracie started.

“Don’t start Grace,” Her mother snapped before she even had a chance to talk.

“Mom, I’m sorry!” Gracie pleaded.

“And so you should be! We should’ve called you Disgrace for all you’re worth!” her mother snapped.

“I am! It was a mistake! I didn’t know what I was doing!”

“You know the consequences Grace! Did you really think we wanted you to become a trampy teenager mother?!” her mother thundered.

“Mom, please! I can’t do it alone!”

“Well you shouldn’t have put yourself in this situation then!”

“I didn’t mean to!”

“I told you that boy was bad news! He wore eyeliner for God Sake! And Jesus Christ, that hair!”

“It’s not his fault! I should have taken more caution, more care! I-I became too attached. And a lot of boys wear eyeliner these days”.

“Then if it’s not his fault, it’s yours. You deal with the consequences,” Gracie’s mother stated aggressively.

“Mom, I’m so sorry! You don’t know how much I’m regretting everything at the moment! You’ve got to help me! I’m so sorry!” Gracie's tears began pooling.

“Leave Grace. You’re not our daughter anymore,” her father appeared in the door frame between the lounge and kitchen, scaring Gracie out of her skin. Her father could be a scary man. So much, that sometimes, Grace wondered if he was her father.

“B-b, but- I-” Gracie burst into tears in front of her parents. She was full of too much regret to even feel embarrassed by it.

“Go on!” her father pointed to the door with anger, “Get out!” Grace couldn’t bring herself to do anything but look at her mother, who’d had Grace at a young age herself. She was an adolescent mother and acted like she’d never admit to it.

“I thought I taught you not to make the same mistake…” her mother trailed off, ashamed of herself.

“I didn’t mean it-!”

“But you still did it! How could you! We loved you! We’d have done anything for you! Now you’re no daughter of mine! You’re a skank! Get out and don’t return!” her mother screeched at her.

Grace was simply pushed out the back door, through the backyard gate and past the letter box by her father.

“And don’t go blabbing to anyone,” her father demanded, glancing at the house next door, “your mistakes will be over town, shaming us. For your sake, don’t come back.” And with that, he left her there, locking the back gate as he headed back into the house.

Her mother and father had no living brothers and sisters. Grace didn’t know anymore of her relatives. They were disconnected from the rest of her parents’ family over Grace’s beginning.

Andy was Grace’s only hope.
…………..

The credits of Ice Age started rolling and Ashton was sleeping soundly with his head laid across Andy’s lap. Andy didn’t mind. Andy’s eyes were drooping a little from staring at the screen and he had become quite tired.

“Would you like a coffee or something?” Grace was a lot more nervous around Andrew now. Now it was just the two of them.

“Yeah, sure. That’d be nice,” Andy gave her a crooked, friendly smile.

Grace nodded and turned around to walk back to the kitchen area. That smile always used to get to her.

“Actually, um, can I use your bathroom?” Andy asked.

“Sure, it’s just around the corner through the bedroom,” Grace replied, turning back around to face him. Andy looked at Ashton on his lap with a smile, his heart melting.

“Here, let me,” Grace draw near, bent over and slowly lifted Ashton off Andy’s lap. Grace was oblivious as Andy let his eyes wander where they shouldn’t have as she did. Grace comforted Ashton as he was stirring, placing him against her front, holding him around the back of his small legs and taking him into the bedroom.

Andy followed behind, almost inspired by the mother and child, and then went into the bathroom. He began shutting the door but stopped. He watched as Grace laid their son down on the bed, replaced his top and pants with sleepwear, pulled the blankets over him and kissed his forehead.

“Goodnight little man,” she whispered and before she could turn around, Andy shut the door quickly and quietly, so she’d never know he was watching.

Andy relieved himself then walked slowly through the bedroom, nervously checking on Ash and sat back down on the couch, turning back to the late news on the television. The majority of the lights were out and Andy’s droopy eyes wanted to merge into the darkness as well. He was so weary he didn’t even notice the kettle boiling.

Andy

I’d never really had imagined Grace as a mother. I know that sounds mean but it never really crossed my mind. Ashton was so perfect, so innocent. He just accepted me as me. We just… we had a connection, you know?

During the movie, I kept thinking over on whether to ask Grace. Should I? Would it upset her? Would it be the right thing to do, or not? I wasn’t sure.

I watched Grace and Ashton from the bathroom. Grace hadn’t changed a great deal. I mean, she had, a hell of a lot, but not her personality. The way she treated Ashton reminded me of how her mom treated her. Or used to. I watched her kiss him and tuck him into bed, wishing I could do the same, as if I had been doing it for years.

I love my little boy.

Grace

Surprisingly, it was easy to remember how Andy liked his coffee. I made sure I made it precisely the way he liked it, noticing my hands were shaking slightly as I did. This was not my night.

I never thought he’d just turn up like this. I had always wished he had. Now, I take that back. All he was doing was just rubbing everything in without even realizing it. He had everything: the family, the girls, the looks, his music, his voice, determination. It was destiny; he would go far. Then he suddenly turns up when I hadn’t gotten anywhere. Ashton and I hadn’t gotten anywhere.

Sighing, I grabbed some biscuits that we had out from the cupboard. I walked over, making sure not to spill the coffees and placed them done on the coffee table carefully. I looked up and noticed Andy was gently sleeping with his head hanging slightly. I couldn’t help but give a silent giggle. He was still so cute. And not to mention: still flawless. I mentally scolded myself for even thinking that.

Stupid Grace.