Birthday Pool Party Ch. 39

When the season finale comes on, I actually put my phone down to watch it. Sure, this show isn't new to me, but this episode is particularly exciting. Despite the thrill of watching my favorite episode of one of my favorite shows, real life gets much more interesting than television.

My phone starts to buzz. At first, I assume it's just another text. Then it continues buzzing. Someone is calling me. I consider ignoring it, but ultimately decide to check it. When I view who is calling, my jaw drops. Maxine Collins.

"I, uh, I need to take this." I say as I extricate myself from Kayla's arms.

"Yeah, sure." Kayla grunts, her eyes glued to the screen.

"Everything okay?" Lexi wonders as Steven looks on and smiles.

"I don't know." I answer honestly. "I'll be right back."

I glance around the room before leaving. Kayla and Lexi are both looking at me in concern, while Steven gives me an encouraging nod. My phone buzzes again, shocking me out of my introspection. I have to hurry up or I'll miss the call.

Why is she calling me? She hates me! She must hate me. She's so religious, so proper. To her, I'm a whore. I don't even know who the biological father of my own baby is. Is she calling to tell me what a disgrace I am?

"H-hello?" I stammer into the phone once I accept the call in the hallway.

"Good afternoon, Hazy." says Maxine Collins in a surprisingly friendly voice. "How are you?"

"Hi, Grandma." I respond nervously. "I-I'm okay. You?"

"I'm healthy for an old lady." Grandma answers. "It's been awhile, and I thought we should have a chat."

"O-oh?" I ask. My hand is actually shaking as I try and keep the phone to my ear.

"Yes." she confirms.

"Okay." I swallow weakly.

"I think it would be a good idea if you came over today." Grandma tells me.

"Really?" I wonder in a high-pitch voice.

"Yes, really." she chuckles softly. "Lately, I've taken to watching your brothers after school while your parents work. I am retired, you know."

I can't get my hopes up. There's no way. There is no way my deeply religious grandmother is about to invite me to see my brothers. She must hate me. She hates me, right? Right? I can feel my heart thumping in my chest.

"Y-yes." I reply quickly. "I know."

"Well, I think it's been too long since you've seen each other. So, how about you come over in a few minutes?" Grandma suggests. "That way, you can wait for Scott and Daniel to get off the bus while I pick up Michael."

"B-but, Mom and Dad said-" I begin before Grandma cuts me off.

"If your father has a problem with you visiting your grandmother, he can take it up with me." she states firmly.

"O-okay." I stammer. "I'll be there!"

"Great, see you soon, Hazy." Grandma says cheerfully.

"Goodbye, Grandma." I respond, ending the conversation.

A small smile crosses my face as I pad my way back into the main living room. I can feel the soft carpet against my bare feet as I walk. The scent of the clean air around me fills my nostrils. My long brown ponytail bobs slightly as I enter the room and see Steven, Kayla, and Lexi.

"All good?" Lexi asks curiously.

"Yeah," I nod, "my grandma called."

"What did she want?" Kayla wonders with a frown.

"She, she invited me over so I can see my brothers." I answer, unable to stop a wide grin from spreading across my face.

"Hazel, that's great!" Steven exclaims as Kayla and Lexi squeal.

My two Slut-sisters jump to their feet and rush me. Soon, we're in a group hug as I burst into tears. I'm not sad, and they aren't really happy tears either. I have so many emotions running through me, I'm not even sure why I'm crying.

"You're okay, Hazel." Kayla coos as she rubs my back. "You're okay."

"Yeah, you're gonna see your brothers!" Lexi screeches.

"I am!" I shout as I ugly cry with my face buried in Kayla's chest.

Eventually, I calm down enough to lift my head away from Kayla's bosom. Turning around, I come face to face with Steven. He smiles at me and opens his arms for a hug. I hug him tightly before pulling back slightly so I can lean up and peck his lips.

"Do you need a ride to your grandmother's?" Steven offers.

"No, I'm okay to drive." I reply.

"Well, let me give you some spending money." he suggests. "You must have a near-empty gas tank by now."

"Steven, I can't accept-" I begin.

"Yes, you can." Steven states firmly as he places two fingers over my lips to cut me off. "Please, let me do this for you."

"O-okay." I nod. "Thank you, Steven."

I head to my room and get dressed in casual clothes. My long, brown hair goes into its usual ponytail, which hangs over halfway down my back. When I return to the main living room, Steven hands me a small wad of cash.

Thanking Steven, I place the money in my purse before kissing him goodbye. Then I kiss Lexi and Kayla. A small breath escapes my lips as I make my way through the massive home. Finally, I leave the mansion and get in my car.

After stopping for gas, I drive to Grandma's. It doesn't take very long, she doesn't live too far from us. School isn't out yet, so it is just Grandma in the house. I can feel my heart pounding as I walk along the path to the door. Lifting my hand, I knock on the door.

"Hazy!" Grandma exclaims when she answers the door. "You look great!"

"Thanks, Grandma." I smile as I walk up to my grandmother and hug her.

"Oh, you're welcome." she says while rubbing my back. She smiles at me when we break apart. "Well, don't stand out here all day! Come in, come in!"

Grandma's house looks like it always does. Same old furniture, same ancient television set. I can't believe that thing still works. We don't stay in the living room though, she instead shows me into the kitchen and gets me something to drink. I notice she pours each of us a cup of tea, which she clearly has prepared for us.

"Tea?" I inquire, trying not to be rude. "Um, the caffeine..."

"It's chamomile, Dear." she smiles. "It won't hurt anything."

Reaching out, I accept the cup gratefully before taking a sip. It's delicious. Before I can sit down, I notice Grandma's eyes dart down toward my midsection. It's just for a second, but I still flinch and bite my lower lip in response. Then we both sit down.

"So." Grandma states as she looks at me from across the kitchen table.

"So...?" I ask with a weak swallow.

"I think congratulations are in order for the lovely momma to be!" she smiles broadly.

"Really?" I ask with an incredulous look.

"Yes, really!" Grandma chuckles. "Why are you so surprised?"

"I-I, um, well, I," I stammer stupidly, "I guess I thought you would think I was a whore."

"I think no such thing!" she insists, seemingly offended that I am even suggesting it.

"M-my father must have told you what I said. That, um, well, that I..." I trail off, unable to continue.

"That you don't know who the father is?" Grandma finishes for me. "Yes, my son did inform me. He also used a number of inappropriate words to describe you after that, including the one you just mentioned."

"Yeah, sounds like Dad." I sigh while looking down into my cup of tea.

"I told him he was being unreasonable." she continues. "Even our church agrees. Your father was very upset when the pastor called him out on throwing a pregnant woman out on the street. Mary and Joseph were mentioned."

"I'm surprised you don't agree with Dad." I mumble.

"Hazel, look at me." Grandma orders.

"Okay." I respond quickly as I lift my head to meet her stern gaze.

"Peter and I raised John with very stern views." she says slowly. "Your grandfather was very rigid in his thinking, and I was a good, obedient girl. I went along with it. I obeyed my husband."

"But you didn't agree with him?" I suggest.

"No, I agreed with him." Grandma sighs. "There was a time where I may have done the same as your father. The thing is, experiences can teach you a lot. I've found that, sometimes, life's answers aren't as easy as black or white, and love matters a whole lot more than just being right."

"What does that mean?" I follow up with.

"I did everything I was supposed to do." she explains. "I was a good girl, I waited until my wedding night, and I was always loyal to my husband. I did everything right. Yet, there wasn't much happiness or love there."

"You didn't' love Grandpa?" I wonder with wide eyes.

"I did, in my own way." Grandma replies. "I just would have been happier if I didn't feel like property. A lot of the time, it felt more like duty than love."

"I'm sorry you felt that way." I say sincerely as I lift the cup to my lips for a sip.

"You've always been a sweet girl." she smiles. "And your parents used that, didn't they? You've been the main person taking care of your brothers for ten years now. But you're so much more than just someone to be used. Are you happy, Hazy?"

"I-I don't know." I answer honestly.

"Tell me." Grandma states firmly.

The floodgates open. I tell Grandma everything. I tell her about feeling sad that Kayla's replacing me with Lexi. Then I mention getting to know Lexi myself, and inviting her into our lives. The Slut-sisterhood. Making love with women. Having sex with men. Going wild in Bermuda and spreading my legs for every guy who wants to stick it in me.

I talk about Steven. The man of my dreams, who I refuse to acknowledge as such. He's dating two of my Slut-sisters, he might be the biological father of my baby, and I am madly in love with him. Yet, I can't have him. I treat him like shit, and he still stands by me. I feel so much guilt. So much shame. He is going to raise the baby with me, what do I do?

"Oh, Hazy!" she exclaims as she looks at me with sympathy. "You're going through so much."

"Yeah..." I agree.

"I also think it's obvious that you have a lot of people in your life who love you." Grandma continues. "Including Steven. No, especially Steven."

"H-how do you know that?" I wonder.

"Hazy, I owe you an apology." she begins. "I should have reached out to you as soon as your father told me what happened. I didn't. And I have to live with that."

"It's okay." I mumble.

"No, it's not." Grandma shakes her head. "Steven called me earlier today, and he told me you were having a hard time. He told me that you missed your brothers. He reminded me that you're my family, and I should be here for you."

"He did that?" I ask with wide eyes.

It all makes sense. Steven asking me to hold on for just another couple of days. The phone call. Of course, he still has Grandma's number. I remember Kayla, Marcia, Ashley, and I spending days here, especially after Kayla's mom's death. Tears form in my eyes as I look across the table at my grandmother.

"He did." she confirms. "He reached out to me, he rushed you to the hospital, he's standing by you even though the baby might not be his? Hold onto that man, even if the relationship isn't considered standard by most people. I had standard, and there was much more duty than love. You have love. With Steven, with the girls. Trust me, it's worth it."

"I can't be in a relationship with Steven." I reply.

"You two might not be a couple, but you're going to raise a baby together. That's a relationship, whether you like it or not." Grandma smirks. "Maybe not a romantic one, but still a very serious relationship. And sharing the love of a child together, it can change things between people. You might find that, with time, you share so much more."

For several minutes, I sit with Grandma, lost in thought as we both sip on our tea. My heart heavy with emotion, I make some small-talk with Grandma in order to try and relax. I talk about my classes. She tells me about her card group, and the gossip among all her friends.

"Grandma?" I eventually ask as my emotions once again threaten to overwhelm me.

"Yes, Hazy?" Grandma inquires.

"I-I can't be a mom!" I exclaim, my lower lip quivering as tears form in my eyes.

"And why not?" she presses.

"I'm eighteen!" I say loudly. "I have no money, no job, and I have no idea what I'm doing."

"You are eighteen." Grandma concedes. "I agree, that's young. I can't argue with the financial concerns, especially knowing how independent you are. But, you know exactly what you're doing. You've been a mother for years. Think about it."

In my mind, I jump back in time and think about raising my brothers. Nights spent cooking and cleaning instead of going to Kayla's slumber parties. Missing school, not because I'm sick, but because one of my brothers is and our parents can't afford to miss work. Yet, I don't resent my brothers. I love them. I love them so fucking much. Maybe, maybe I am a mom.

"You might have a point." I say with a reluctant smile.

"I know I do." she nods before finishing the last of her tea and standing up. "Now, I need to go and pick up Michael. Scott and Daniel should be here soon."

Grandma leaves to go pick up my youngest brother, Michael. I relax in the kitchen as I wait for Scott and Daniel to arrive. I spend my time contemplating my pregnancy. It's unplanned, yes, but maybe I really am prepared. My hand instinctively rests on my flat stomach as I slowly rub it and think of the life growing inside of me. Soon, I hear the front door opening, shocking me out of my thoughts.

"Grandma? Are you home?" Scott's voice calls out.

"The door was unlocked!" Daniel adds.

"In here!" I call out as I stand up and turn to the entryway.

I stand with my hands on my hips as Scott and Daniel rush in. Both are dressed in casual clothes and wearing backpacks. They freeze when they see me. Daniel's jaw actually drops. Scott looks momentarily nervous, but his face soon splits into a wide grin.

"Hazel?" Daniel wonders, obviously in awe.

"Hazel!" Scott shouts as he rushes me and hugs me tight.

"Hi, Scott!" I smile as I hug him back and look over the top of his head. Tears are shining in my eyes as I hold one brother while looking at another. "Daniel!"

"If Mom and Dad find out..." Daniel trails off nervously.

"They're not gonna find out, because no one is gonna tell them, Butt-face!" Scott insists.

Scott pulls out of my arms and looks over at Daniel. Suddenly, Scott marches over and slugs Daniel in the shoulder. Daniel grabs Scott and the two of them get into a shoving match. Yup, things are back to normal. Almost, anyway.

"Okay, okay, that's enough!" I state in my authoritative voice. My mom voice, I'm just now realizing.

"Sorry, Hazel." Scott replies as he pulls away.

"I just don't wanna get in trouble." Daniel mumbles.

I can't blame Daniel. Our parents, well our father, he has a temper. The yelling, the grounding, or worse, the belt. I wince as I remember the pain, having to lay on my stomach after. I do everything I can to protect my brothers, I even confess to things they do, so I'm the one punished.

To my parents, children are seen and not heard. They're well-behaved, and always listen to their parents. It's fucking bullshit. Children are supposed to misbehave, they're supposed to be dirty, little brats. It's part of growing up.

Of course, my father is proud of his boys. Their manly pursuits of sports is encouraged. Secretly, Dad loves that the boys wrestle and fight. Me? His daughter. I'm supposed to keep house. I'm meant to prepare for the day I move in with my husband.

Only, I fuck up. I'm supposed to be virginal, but I spread my legs and open my mouth. For a lot of guys. Yeah, I suppose part of the reason I do so is because I'm rebelling. Still, it's my body, my choice. My father will never understand that. I let out a breath as I finally accept the fact that there will never be a reconciliation. It just can't happen.

"Listen to me, Daniel." I state as I place my hands on his shoulders and look into his eyes. "You won't get in trouble. I know I'm not in the house to protect you anymore, but this can be our secret, okay? Mom and Dad will never find out that we see each other here."

"A-are you sure?" Daniel asks.

"She's sure." Scott adds. "And even if she's wrong, and they find out, it was worth it. We get to see Hazel!"

"Thank you, Scott." I reply with a small smile.

Moments later, I find myself in a group hug with Scott and Daniel. I kiss both their cheeks before offering them a snack. They agree, so I rummage through Grandma's cabinets until I find some crackers. I bring them the crackers, along with something to drink. The boys are thrilled that Grandma has soda. I don't want the caffeine, so I stick with a bottle of water.

The three of us sit on the couch, with me in the middle as we watch television. At one point, Scott and Daniel get into a burping competition. They take turns sipping on soda and leaning back to burp as loud as they can. To end the contest, I let out a massive, very unladylike, belch. A burp that far overshadows theirs. I don't even need soda to do it.

My two brothers start cheering and clapping. Scott jumps to his feet and declares me the winner as Daniel continues cheering. I actually stand up and take a bow, my hand over my stomach as my ponytail falls forward. I'm standing when the front door opens and two people walk inside.

"Hazel?" Michael asks in wonder. Then a broad grin splits his cute, little face. "HAZEL!"

"MICHAEL!" I scream as I rush him.

Grandma is watching on with a proud expression on her face as I wrap up my baby brother in my arms. Tears are flowing freely down both of our faces as we hold each other close. I rub Michael's back affectionately before pulling away slightly to look at him.

With tears streaming, I lean in and kiss one cheek, then the other. A big grin spreads across my face as I reach over to mess up his hair. He giggles softly before giving me another tight hug. I'm not surprised when I feel Scott and Daniel embrace us both.

"Well," Grandma says with happiness in her voice, "isn't this a nice reunion!"

"Thank you, Grandma." I whisper as I look over at her. "Thank you so much."

"My pleasure, Hazy." she smiles. "Now, why don't we all relax in the living room and catch up?"

"Okay." I reply.

Grandma sits in her favorite armchair before turning the volume on the television down to a more reasonable level. Fourteen year old Scott and twelve year old Daniel plop themselves down on the couch as I sit in an armchair and pull eight year old Michael into my lap. Yeah, he's a little too big for this, but he's staying with me right now.

"How are you here, Hazel?" Michael asks in a soft voice. "Mom and Dad said you were gone forever. I was sad."

"Mom and Dad lied to you." I reply as I caress his face softly. "I will never abandon you. I love you, Michael. I love Scott, and I love Daniel."

"We love you, too!" Michael replies.

"I know you do." I smile as I lean down to kiss the top of his head.

"So, you're not going to have a baby?" Michael wonders with wide eyes.

"No, that part's true." I admit with a nod. "You're all going to be uncles!"

"But you're not married?" Michael looks at me with confusion. "Who's the Daddy?"

"You don't always have to be married to have a baby." I answer slowly. "It's hard to explain, Michael, but there is a Daddy. He's a very nice man."

"It's okay, Mikey." Scott chimes in with. "What's important right now is that we can see Hazel here sometimes. And, please, please don't tell Mom and Dad about seeing her."

"It's our secret, right bro?" Daniel adds.

"Our secret!" Michael smiles.

"That's my brother!" I grin as I hug him tight against me.

"This is very important, Michael." Grandma speaks up. "Hazel can keep coming over here to see you boys, but only if you don't tell your parents."

Our secret." Michael repeats with a nod.

The five of us watch one movie together. Then Grandma excuses herself to the kitchen to start dinner for all of us. I offer to help, but she insists that I stay with my brothers. I thank her, trying to express how much all of this means to me with the two simple words. She understands. I know she does.